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A Message

Chief Executive Officer
Maria Cappoletti

Dear Friends of Kelberman,
Our mission statement at Kelberman is, To lead autism support and services
through all stages of life. It is a clear testament to our ongoing commitment to
those with autism and their families. As I reflect on our mission statement the word
“belonging” emerges as a foundation.

The dictionary states the definition of belonging as; “the feeling of security and
support when there is a sense of acceptance, inclusion, and identity for a member
of a certain group.”
Kelberman offers a sense of belonging to the people and families we support,
as well as to our employees and our community. A sense of belonging is one of
humanity’s most basic needs, to feel included and accepted. Kelberman is steadfast
in its Alliance with Autism Acceptance, Awareness and Advocacy in all that we do.
You will read more on this topic in the featured article by Dr. Nicole DeRosa, Chief
Clinical Officer, later in this report.

The end of 2023 marked the completion of the first full year as an independent
organization for the Kelberman Center. Over the last year, we have focused on
being well positioned to chart our path and sustainability, with a sharp vision and
bold goals. We have grown a dedicated team focused on leadership, service, and
quality. We have provided countless hours of clinical and community services,
hosted valuable learning and informational classes for families, and created
inclusive opportunities to attend recreation events in the community. We have
provided specialized education and training for our community partners to increase
the understanding and acceptance of autism, and we have expanded our outreach
and advocacy.
The past few years have required adaptability, resiliency, and unwavering
determination. Your partnership has allowed us to persevere in our vision of
providing excellence in autism services and creating a community of belonging to
guide us and keep us encouraged. One of the most heartening aspects of the last
year has been our ability to connect with so many families in person at Kelberman
events and the partnerships created within the community.
We are proud of our success but know that we must stay focused and scale our
efforts so more children and adults with autism can benefit from the support and
services Kelberman has to offer.
Thank you for your continued commitment to Kelberman. Your generosity ensures
that children and adults with autism and their families have the support and
services they need throughout all stages of their lives. I am pleased to present the
2024 Kelberman Annual Report and update on the growth we have achieved over
the past year.

Sincerely yours,