Our Programs
“We’ve been asking individuals with disabilities, what do you want to do? They don’t know. They’ve always been told what to do. No one has really ever asked them.”
Jo-Ann Flynn, Vice President of Adult Services
Futures School
We believe that all students are unique and have something special they can bring to their own education.
Our West Hartford school, Connecticut’s first community-based special education school, caters to students aged 14-22 with challenging behaviors and cognitive or developmental disabilities.
Our program combines classroom instruction with community-based activities, supporting post-secondary education, employment, life skills, and independent living goals. Our goal is to provide each student with a valuable education and a set of skills for their new phase after high school.
Our innovative curriculum includes a transition program, fine arts, summer trades program, Animal Therapy, Technology, Explore Connecticut, Bakery Bootcamp, and Musical Arts.
District leaders, families and students typically remark on the feeling that staff care deeply about the students and their work. The instructional relationships and connections developed are best described by students as friendly, caring, supportive, happy and helpful. District leaders continue to remark about our responsive strategies, flexible programming and adaptability in services.
Ed Orszulak, PH.D. | Director of Education
Adult Services
Our Adult Services program matches individuals with a highly qualified and caring professional who assists them in building a life of personal and professional fulfillment.
Establishing a life in their community may include employment, activities, friendships and a place to call home. Our team provides professional tools and guidance so individuals with disabilities can establish a life of their own design.
We are a qualified provider for Connecticut Department of Developmental Services (CT DDS) and Connecticut Department of Social Services (CT DSS). We offer a day program and a range of vocational and/or residential supports.
View more detailed information about our Adult Services program here.
Social Enterprises
Social enterprises seek to maximize profits while also maximizing benefits to society. The profits from a social enterprise are used to fund social programs.
Good Cause Gifts
Founded in 2009 Good Cause Gifts is Connecticut’s first non-profit social enterprise. Our aim is to create valuable learning and retail employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities across the state. Profits made go directly back to supporting our mission of we employing individuals with disabilities.
With three locations and an online store, our employment program includes retail employment training, competitive wages, social and life skills and community involvement.
We love to work local. If you are interested in selling your products at Good Cause Gifts, contact us!
The Kitchen at Futures Inc.
The Kitchen empowers individuals with disabilities by providing competitive employment. Our highly skilled chefs work tirelessly to create delectable food and offer a culinary training program that builds the skills for securing competitive positions in the foodservice industry. We believe that mastering culinary arts, whether it’s baking a sweet treat or preparing a savory meal, serves as a vital foundation for a fulfilling and purposeful life.
We supply food to many cafes around Connecticut. By fostering connections with local food businesses, we advocate for the inclusion of people with disabilities and forge community-based job opportunities. Explore our menu and place an order!
Unique Programs
We guide interested individuals in our program to launch micro-businesses grounded in their passion, skills, community and life experiences. We first ask, what is your passion? We learn about their interests and experiences from there we develop a small business and partner with the community to market and sell.
Micro-Business Program
We are proud of our in house animal therapy support program, making frequent visits to all our divisions. Animal therapy is helpful for coping with anxiety, self-esteem, and communication. Additionally we partner with Manes & Motions for therapeutic horseback riding.
Animal Therapy
Our art center enrichment program include visual and media arts, music and photography. We partner with our community to feature community and musical performances.
Arts Center