Summerfest Business Alliance Member Spotlight
1.) Tell Us Your Story!
In 2020 the travel and recreational world was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, and many did not reopen. This affected socialization opportunities especially for those with disabilities who can struggle building social networks without supports. One day founders Deon, Dylan and Wilson had the idea for Ability Adventures LLC with a dream to bring back these recreational outings, trips and camps back for people with and without disabilities.
Our Mission Statement:
To create an inclusive environment in the community that allows individuals to experience nature, a sense of community, travel and create opportunities to build lifelong friendships.
2.) Tell us about your organization’s accomplishments and what you’re most proud of as an employer in Wisconsin.
We are proud to build community partnerships and connections to assist families in knowing what recreational opportunities and supports are available to them. We are also excited to allow the opportunity for our members to build new skills sets, friendships and promote inclusion in our community with our events!
3.) What does the future hold for your organization?
In the next few years, we hope to expand to travel trips and summer camp programs as this is very much needed in our community for those individuals living with different abilities. We hope to offer a variety of travel experiences and outdoor adventure-based recreation to allow our member’s to experience new opportunities they would never have dreamed they could be a part of!
4.) How do you impact your community?
Since our LLC began in January, we have built so many community partnerships and connections by joining local chambers and reaching out to current organizations that share our same mission. Currently, Ability Adventures LLC has partnerships with Best Buddies Wisconsin, Life Navigators, Gigi’s Playhouse, The Wisconsin Autism Society and St. Francis Childrens Center. We are looking forward to connecting with more organizations and building more partnerships and connections during the rest of 2024!
5.) Adapting to change. - What are some ways in which your business has had to adapt and pivot, and how has that led to success?
Change is forever happening in the world today and as an inclusive organization we strive to work at listening to our members’ and family’s accommodation needs. We allow multiple ways to sign up and join our programs along with providing personable services to ensure everyone is comfortable and all needs are met at each of our programs.
6.) Why is it important to your organization to support Summerfest through the Summerfest Business Alliance and what are some of the unique ways in which you distribute your Summerfest tickets?
Summerfest is a wonderful opportunity for individuals to enjoy music, the outdoors, explore new food items, and enjoy their local community venue. Recreation and music therapy are a large part of stable mental health for many, and Ability Adventures is proud to promote Summerfest events and plan to attend every year as an event.
We also look forward to rewarding our donors with Summerfest tickets for their thoughtful donations this year as well.
7.) Favorite Summerfest Memories
The first time I attended Summerfest was in 2008 with my now husband. We enjoyed seeing a band from our childhood and this brought back so many wonderful memories that we have returned every year after!
Would love to see Third Eye Blind or Hootie and the Blowfish!