In a world where investment is often measured by numbers, portfolios, and returns, some of the most meaningful investments cannot be quantified. They are measured in confidence gained, families supported, and futures made brighter. In Lakewood Ranch, one organization has been making this kind of impact for nearly two decades.
Ability to Include is more than an adaptive recreation program. It is a community movement rooted in the belief that every child, every adult, and every family deserves connection, opportunity, and belonging. Under the leadership of Executive Director Chris Collins, the organization continues to expand its reach and deepen its impact across our region. For 19 years, Chris has served children and adults of all abilities right here at Lakewood Ranch Park, becoming the region’s oldest and longest-running adaptive recreation program. Over that time, they have worked with more than 1,000 participants, including one athlete who has attended every season since 2007.
What makes Ability to Include truly unique is its holistic approach. Their programs go far beyond adaptive sports. They promote inclusion by welcoming siblings into activities, strengthening family bonds rather than separating them. They also provide wraparound services, including social skills development, advocacy, and case management, equipping families with tools and support that extend far beyond the playing field.
The ripple effect reaches even further. Through partnerships with more than 100 medical students from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), Ability to Include is helping shape the next generation of physicians. These future doctors gain invaluable experience learning to communicate, connect, and care for individuals of all abilities. The impact of this work will not only be felt in Lakewood Ranch, but throughout the state and across the country as these students go on to serve communities everywhere.
This is what investing in everyday life truly looks like. It is not always about financial growth. It is about strengthening the foundation of a community. When families feel supported, children build confidence, and future professionals develop empathy, the return benefits everyone.
However, programs like this do not grow or sustain themselves without the partnership of local businesses and community leaders. As Ability to Include continues to expand its services and meet the increasing needs of families in our region, sponsorship support has become essential. Community investment allows the organization to provide adaptive programs, professional support services, and opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach for many families.
“Sponsorship is not simply about funding a program,” shared Collins. “It’s about investing in people, in families, and in the future of our community. When local businesses partner with us, they are creating opportunities for inclusion, confidence, and connection that impact lives for generations.”
At Lakewood City Lifestyle, we believe the strongest communities are built when businesses, organizations, and individuals come together to invest in people. That is why we are proud to support Ability to Include and its mission to create a more inclusive, connected, and empowered future.
You are invited to be part of that investment. Join us for the inaugural Every Ability Belongs Brunch: Mimosas with Meaning on Saturday, April 18, from noon to 2:30 p.m. at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club. Hosted by Ability to Include and supported by presenting sponsors Keys to Your Best Life with Jennifer Salome and Dawn Tillette, Edge Therapies, and Lakewood City Lifestyle, this inspiring afternoon will highlight the families and stories behind the mission while creating opportunities for new sponsors to engage and make a lasting difference.
To learn more, become a sponsor, or reserve your seat, visit abilitytoinclude.org/rsvp. Together, we can invest in a future where every ability truly belongs.
Why This Matters
Inclusion is not just a social value. It is a strategic investment in the strength and future of our community. When children and adults of all abilities are given opportunities to participate, families feel supported, social connections grow, and barriers are replaced with understanding. Programs like Ability to Include help build confident individuals who contribute meaningfully to schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods. They also shape future leaders, educators, and healthcare professionals through hands-on experience and empathy. The return is lasting: stronger families, more connected communities, and a culture where every person is seen, valued, and empowered to thrive.