Lifespire, Inc.

Lifespire, Inc. is a NYC-based organization aimed at helping those with developmental disabilities in various age groups, “committed to the principle that all individuals with disabilities are able to become contributing members of their families and communities.” They carry out this mission by providing programs that hone a variety of skills based on individuals’ needs. These range from “functional skills” that encompass safety, nutrition, etc. to (pre) employment skills. Lifespire also offers counseling, therapy, and residential services for the mentally handicapped.

Over the 67 years of its existence, Lifespire has served over five thousand individuals. With 82 locations and 118 residences throughout the five boroughs of New York City and an annual income of about $100 million, Lifespire is one of the largest organizations of its kind in the United States. However, it had humble beginnings back in the 1950’s, when two parents - Ida Rappaport and Harry Kamish - partnered up on behalf of their children with intellectual/developmental disabilities. At the time, children with such a diagnosis couldn’t enroll in public school until age 7 and were usually expelled by the time they were 16. Rappaport and Kamish began a movement against the injustice, kickstarting what would eventually become Lifespire.

Decades have passed, but as shown in aforementioned details, Lifespire has only grown exponentially in its influence. Yet, despite its size, there’s no doubting the special impact it has on individual lives. One of Lifespire’s programs was created in 1969 - a bowling league for developmentally disabled children. Some of these same “children” still compete in the league to this day, still as excited for the activity and embraced by the staff.

My personal connection to Lifespire is rooted in my privilege to work with the bowling league in their Sunday bowling program at Jib Lanes in Queens. Prior to this, I had very little exposure to individuals with developmental disabilities, and even less experience working with them. Admittedly, this fostered a lack of understanding of people handicapped in this way and a fear for the fact that they were “different.” My friends set an example for me, however, all being deeply involved with Lifespire, as well as Special Camps and service trips that my high school - Archbishop Molloy - takes part in. I joined Lifespire through my school’s partnership with their bowling program, and immediately found my past judgements and fears to be utterly incorrect and uninformed. On the surface, my job as a volunteer was to collect money from the bowlers and keep scores for competing teams. The experience became much more than that, though, as I developed close relationships with the adults. I found some of the sweetest, most genuine personalities in these people, as well as some of the most capable bowlers I’ve ever witnessed. It was extremely heartwarming to see the way they looked forward to these bowling Sunday’s, and the drive and competitiveness they poured into them. Furthermore, they didn’t foster friendships with only each other and the volunteers, but the Lifespire board members who regularly attended the competitions. These include Larry Hirsch, who founded the Bowling League, Recreational Director Norman Dodell, and CEO Tom Lydon. I frequently talked to these men and saw how they treated the bowlers with great respect and compassion. I’ve found it’s much easier to trust an organization when you can trust the individuals behind it. 

Lifespire is primarily funded through program revenue, for the most part referring to fees required for program services. However, donations still play a large role. As stated by the foundation: “Your support will enhance our day programs . . . support our Sunday bowling league, encourage our after-school Karate participants . . . and improve and beautify our residences.” Programs and services remain that could be greatly impacted outside government funding, revenue, or sponsorships. For example, Bowl-A-Thons are regularly held to fundraise for the league. Charitable donations do make a difference, despite the modes of Lifespire’s funding and the magnitude of the organization.

Lifespire is a financially healthy organization. Based upon an asset breakdown in 2013, it would be capable of paying off its obligations if they were suddenly due and paying bills for about 7 months if they stopped receiving revenue. (Non-profits are generally expected to be able to do this for at least 3 months.) In terms of expenses, in 2017, about 92.7% went to program services, so that less than 8% of expenses went toward management and administration.

Of course, to support Lifespire would be to support its cause, and I believe that is one aspect that should be backed without question. While I once came from a place of ignorant judgement, it’s thanks to Lifespire’s work that I now recognize not just the great capabilities of developmentally disabled people, but their strength against struggles and stigma that many of us could never understand. I believe it’d be a privilege for our class to help such people give and take from their communities in ways they might originally be barred from doing.

For more information on the organization:

lifespire.org

http://nonprofits.findthecompany.com/l/153696/Lifespire-Inc#Financial%20Health&s=2e3Vr9

http://www.dacbond.com/dacContent/doc.jsp?id=0900bbc780213c9c