BETHEL — Seven wheelchair accessible vans used by Ability Beyond to transport clients with disabilities to and from Day and Work programs were vandalized on Saturday, December 21, at approximately midnight, in Bethel. Thieves stole all of the catalytic converters from the engines, rendering the vehicles undrivable until repairs are complete after the first of the year. Bethel Police are investigating the crime committed at the Ability Beyond offices located at 4 Berkshire Boulevard. They are analyzing security camera footage and are asking anyone with information to come forward.

“As a nonprofit organization, any unexpected expense hurts, and having vans out of service during the busy holiday season has created a challenge for our transport team,” said Jane Davis, president and CEO of Ability Beyond. “We are shuffling schedules and vehicles to minimize the impact for the people we serve.

“We will persevere and are hopeful that members of the community will rally around Ability Beyond as they did after vandalism at our Roses for Autism sensory garden,” added Davis.

Davis is referring to two incidents of vandalism at a newly planted sensory garden at Roses for Autism in Guilford in 2017. Plants, statues, and structures were destroyed or stolen. An outpouring of assistance from the community included a custom built gazebo and $22,000 worth of donations and materials.

“Transportation is a critical service that we provide,” added Davis “Without it, many clients would not be able to participate in our vital programs.”

Those wishing to make a tax-deductible donation to help cover the cost of repairs may visit the Ability Beyond website at abilitybeyond.org/get-involved or send contributions to Ability Beyond, 4 Berkshire Boulevard, Bethel CT 06801.

Ability Beyond is a 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Bethel and Chappaqua, N.Y. It provides a wide range of services for more than 3,000 people with a disability that inhibits their activities of daily living — including numerous residential alternatives, employment training, career counseling, job placement services, cognitive and life skills instruction, clinical and therapeutic support, and volunteer and recreational activities. Today, its services extend throughout Connecticut and New York’s lower Hudson Valley. For more information about Ability Beyond, go to abilitybeyond.org.