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Lynda Joyce Steele
 As
Abilities United’s Executive Director, Lynda Joyce Steele is
dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with developmental
disabilities in Northern California’s Santa Clara, San Mateo, and
Alameda Counties.
Since 1990, Ms. Steele has been a leader at Abilities United, helping
to direct and shape the organization’s services for people of all
ages as well as the general community. She joined Abilities United as its Director
of Program Services/Acting Executive Director and was promoted to Abilities United’s
Executive Director in 1993. Ms. Steele has successfully managed a $3 million
annual Abilities United budget, directing a staff of 120 who provide a wide range
of services to over 2,000 individuals and their families each year.
During Ms. Steele’s stewardship as Executive Director:
- Abilities United received a Star Award from United Way of Santa Clara County
for creativity, leadership and impact in providing services to people
with disabilities.
- Abilities United was selected as one of 22 not-for-profit organizations across
the nation to be included in a recent publication entitled, "For
the Good of the Cause," a book about the governance of highly-effective
people.
- Ninety-seven percent (97%) of respondents to a Abilities United Customer Satisfaction
Survey said they were satisfied with the services they were receiving
from Abilities United; 98% told us they would recommend Abilities United services to a friend.
- Seventeen clients from C.&E.S. were successful in finding community
employment with a job retention rate of 82%.
- Productivity partnerships to employ 16 of Abilities United’s C.&E.S.
trainees were formed with Century Theater and Marriot Hotel.
- Abilities United expanded its respite services to include 20 new families and
increased its after school recreation and day care to provide 24 new
children and families with these services.
- The Aquatics developed six new consumer-requested
classes this year and included 18 new developmentally disabled children
in its adaptive aquatic services.
Ms. Steele’s published works include "Social Work with Disabled
People," which was featured in Contact - a journal of the Central
Council for the Disabled in the United Kingdom. In addition, she has written
"Lessons in the Learning: Overcoming Barriers to the Development
of Community Services," published in the Health and Social Services
Journal, United Kingdom and "Living in the Shadow of Affluence,"
a Needs Assessment on Homelessness in San Mateo County, resulting in the
establishment of a $1 million trust fund for homeless services.
Ms. Steele received her BA degree in economics from Manchester University
in Manchester, England and earned her MA degree in social services planning
from Essex University in England.
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