I serve on the board of Center for All Abilities, a nonprofit expanding opportunities for neurodivergent individuals across NYC.

Through arts therapy, vocational training, and inclusive programs, CAA helps neurodivergent individuals, especially those from immigrant and low-income families, gain the skills, confidence, and support they need to thrive in the city.

I'm raising $10,000 over the next 2 months to help fund these programs. Every donation directly supports participants and their families. Thanks for taking the time to learn more and for considering a contribution.

Donate online

Donate with Zelle: admin@allabilities.com

We are all wonderfully made

We are all wonderfully made

My involvement in CAA

As a board member and volunteer facilitator at CAA, I've witnessed firsthand how the right kind of specialized support helps these incredible kids and young adults build confidence, discover their strengths, and thrive in their communities.

What is neurodiversity?

Neurodivergence describes natural differences in how people think, learn, and experience the world. It includes autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, Tourette syndrome, and other neurological differences. Neurodivergent individuals often face barriers to inclusion, education, employment, and social connection.

Research shows that art therapy can reduce anxiety, improve emotional regulation and social skills, and boost self-esteem by engaging multiple sensory and cognitive pathways through:

Brain activation

Activating distributed brain networks involved in emotion regulation, attention, memory, and motor planning.

Communication pathways

Providing a nonverbal communication pathway that supports emotional expression beyond spoken language.

Sensory regulation

Enhancing sensory integration through structured, multi-sensory experiences that promote self-regulation.

Executive functioning

Strengthening executive functioning by engaging planning, decision-making, cognitive flexibility, and problem-solving.

❊ Participant Spotlight

Let me introduce you to some of my friends

Meet Jade, she’s a superstar

While she typically communicates in one- or two-word responses, music unlocks something extraordinary.

She has perfect pitch and can sing every word of One Short Day from Wicked. She truly comes alive when she dances, especially to Meghan Trainor.

Meet Allen, he’s a Power Ranger

He’s assigned me the role of Red Power Ranger because red is my favorite color, while he’s the Blue Ranger. He’s been teaching me jujitsu. He’s patient and always reminds me that I’ll get better with practice.

I’ve watched exercise transform his confidence. It’s helped him feel more comfortable in his own body and grow into an impressive public speaker.

Meet Chloe, she’s an art director

Art helps her stay calm, focus, and regulate her emotions. She made sure I followed her creative vision exactly, and her artwork was definitely better than mine.

When I accidentally bumped the table and apologized, she simply said, “You don’t need to apologize; you didn’t do anything wrong.” Her little heart quickly melted mine.

How your support can sustain our work

$1,000

Half a year of creative arts group therapy for one child

$500

10 group cooking classes for one youth/young adult as part of our kitchen and barista Vocational Training Program

$250

Half a year of music, movement & meditation group classes for one youth

$100

Instruments for children and youth in our music therapy and mentoring programs

$50

Art or sewing supplies for one child, youth or young adult for half a semester (3 months)

Donate online

Donate with Zelle: admin@allabilities.com

❊ Testimonials

Hear from our families

  • A year ago, Hazel was really struggling with any kind of structured group activity. She resisted anything that looked like rules and regulations. Grace, her teacher at M&M, understood this, and gave Hazel the freedom to participate (or not participate) in each part of the class. Grace and the other staff made Hazel feel very welcome, encouraging her to take breaks as needed, and letting her adjust to the class at her own pace. Today, Hazel shows off the dance moves she’s learning in class, sings the songs she’s learning, and tells us about the conversations she has with other kids. It’s such a pleasure to see how comfortable and happy she is in the program.

    Participant’s Parent

  • Since joining the Virtual Creative Arts Program, Jack has become more willing to share his feelings with others and has made progress with his verbal communication skills. He has also become more open expressing himself in front of others - he used to practice his instruments alone in his room, but he now feels comfortable practicing in front of me anywhere in the house.

    —Participant Parent

  • "When my son joined, he had a bad temper and couldn’t sit still. However, from his involvement, particularly through the music program, his temper difficulties became much less of an issue. I am also in the monthly Parent Support Group, and enjoy being able to meet the parents in the group. Very few people understand what it’s like to have a child with autism, but with the other parents in the group, we can support each other. "

    — Yan Si Wu, Program Parent

  • "When I’m here, I feel calm and excited. I like the programs because they give me room; it’s less pressure, like a playground. I usually come at least 45 minutes early to the center to wait for my sessions to begin, I come early and finish my homework; I just like being here."

    —Participant

Our yearly art gallery that showcases our participants’ work

❊ Music therapy spotlight

Just for giggles

Rainbows and oceans and dragons and sushi,

Bright colors, soccer balls, music, and cardinals

Ipads and UNO and pet animals,

These are a few of my favorite things.

Sunshine and beaches and forests and cold,

Tornadoes, tiramisu, siblings, and blackholes,

Disney and dancing and traveling the world,

These are a few of my favorite things.

As a part of our music therapy program, we let the kids replace the words of “My Favorite Things” with their favorite things. We sing it every week, and it always gets stuck in my head in the best way possible. If only you could hear them sing in :)