Stepping Stones Growth Center

Founded in 1972, Ala Costa Center offers after school learning programs for students with developmental disabilities. The center provides a wide range of activities, including community integration, specialty classes, sign language, music, dance and creative activities. Students are given a selection of different activities to experience, which develops their personal preferences and ability to learn. Headquartered in Berkeley, Calif., it enrolls students between the ages of 5- to 22-years and are grouped based on age and skill level. Its classrooms include the explorers, adventurers, voyagers, navigators and the apartment. The curriculum is designed to help students develop skills in independent living, mobility, fine arts, expressive and receptive language, functional academics, social interaction and vocational readiness. Ala Costa Center has a large playing field that offers many recreational opportunities, such as soccer, basketball and tennis, along with play areas for both preschoolers and school-aged children.

The Center for Independence of the Disabled, also known as CID, is a privately owned, nonprofit corporation that offers independent living programs. Incorporated in 1979, it helps more than 2,000 people with disabilities in direct and indirect services. It also serves over 3,400 disabled people with individual and systems advocacy issues. The Center for Independence of the Disabled provides peer counseling and consulting services and independent living skills, work incentive and assistive technology programs. It is a member of the California Foundation of Independent Living Centers and the National Council of Independent Living. The corporation is affiliated with other nonprofit agencies through its membership in the California Association of Nonprofits. Its staff, management and board of directors consist of people with significant disabilities. The Center for Independence of the Disabled is located in San Mateo, Calif.