OUR MISSION

Our mission is to magnify the God-given gifts of people with disabilities.

OUR VISION

Our vision is to enable individuals with disabilities to share their unique abilities with their communities by providing opportunities and telling their stories so that the fullness of each person we serve can be realized within their communities.

Sr. Elizabeth Marie Stoup, SSJ spent her religious life advocating for the sacred dignity of all God’s children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  She envisioned a ministry to magnify the abilities of those we serve and return to God what we have received from Him.   This became Bishop Grady Villas in 2004; a residential community where adults with intellectual disabilities could live as independently as possible while receiving support to be safe and healthy.

Our programs have grown significantly to include Employment, Project SEARCH youth transition, and Life Skills Development programs for individuals who reside throughout Central Florida. To reflect this expansion while continuing to honor our legacy and history, we proudly announced the launch of our new brand – Magnify of Central Florida in 2021.

Since our inception, we have worked diligently to support individuals with disabilities to live independently in their community, develop life skills, and work toward competitive and self-employment opportunities.  We primarily serve people with disabilities and their families, especially individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Secondarily churches, employers, schools, and other civic and community organizations are transformed when they are ready to welcome the gifts of individuals with disabilities.  We are continually open to responding to the needs of those we serve, the greater community, and the Spirit’s call with an agile, entrepreneurial mindset.