About Us

About BuildAbility
Frequently asked questions
Since 1967

Building Bridges
In Our Communities For More Than 50 Years.

Our History

Established in 1967 as a nonprofit organization, BuildAbility (formerly Build Rehabilitation Industries) has served countless individuals with disabilities. Over the past five decades, more than 9,000 adults with disabilities have been set on the path to greater independence and a better way of life through participation in the various programs BuildAbility has developed to meet the needs of developmentally disabled adults.

ABOUT US

We have been supporting people throughout the San Fernando, Santa Clarita, and San Gabriel Valleys for more than 50 years. We will soon be expanding into the Antelope Valley and Greater Los Angeles!

At BuildAbility, we have six types of services.

    • Supported Employment
    • Vocational Training
    • Paid Internship Program
    • Independent Living Services
    • Community Integration Training
    • Behavior Management Program

Supported Employment Services For Companies In Our Community

BuildAbility is a great resource for businesses in our community. We have an excellent supported employment service, and we take pride in the high ethical and professional standards we use in the training and placement of a diversified workforce. This service helps our company partners stay profitable and efficient. We will provide you with the best talent that suits your business at NO COST TO THE COMPANY!

 

Frequently Asked Questions
How Do Your Employment Services Benefit My Company?

Imagine your workforce is optimized with talent perfectly suited for their roles and your culture, engaged, productive and consistently delivering on expectations…. at a cost well below other employment agencies. That’s how your business can benefit. BuildAbility matches candidates with employers across the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles area in direct hire, contract, and temporary-to-hire arenas. 

why is our service so affordable for businesses?

We work to provide employment opportunities, not to make hefty profits. Over the years, BuildAbility has lent a helping hand to over 9,000 adults who underwent vocational rehabilitation. This opened up opportunities for them despite their disabilities and limitations.

WHAT IS THE PAID INTERNSHIP PROGRAM?

Our Paid Internship Program provides a time-limited opportunity for clients to gain paid experience in a work setting with the intention of preparing them for competitive employment.

what type of skills does the independent living service provide?

Clients are provided with the individualized supports needed to maintain and/or increase independence, with a particular emphasis on health/wellness, safety, budgeting, social skills, and developing problem solving skills.

how does the behavior management program work?

Our Behavior Management Program provides intensive support (1:3 ratio) to clients whose behaviors prevent them from safely being supported in a less restrictive environment. A unique behavior management plan is developed for each client and opportunities to obtain vocational skills are provided through a work skills training component of the program.

What does the community integration training include?

Clients explore and engage with the community in groups of three. They focus on developing vocational skills, accessing generic transportation resources, working through barriers that may be impeding a client’s ability to become competitively employed, and practicing interpersonal skills.

Leadership

At BuildAbility

jonathan kim

Co Executive Director

Nicholle Cash

Co Executive Director

Rachel Waddy

Director, Development

Anna Polin

Manager, Quality Assurance/HCBS

sofia good

Manager, People Operations

Members of the

BuildAbility Board

Avi Zaraya

Chair Person

Jess Trinca

Vice-Chair Person

kristin lafirenza

Secretary

Sheila Arasawa

Treasurer

Anarosa estevez
peter lasky
Dr Eric Schallert
Stephani Anderson
Sebastian Ardemagni
Barry Baxter
Paul Nankivell