Why VONTURE Exists
Founder’s Story
VONTURE was created from lived experience.
It was founded by Felicia Staples, whose vision for VONTURE began at home with her brother, Davontae, an individual with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
After Davontae aged out of his school based program, Felicia watched him go from having structure, interaction, and purpose to spending most of his days at home with limited opportunities for social connection, growth, or community outside of family.
While their family worked hard to support him, one truth became clear: services alone do not create belonging. Community does.
As Felicia helped her family navigate the disability system, she became a certified support broker so she could better understand the process and advocate for her brother’s independence.
Through that experience, she saw how isolating adulthood can become for individuals with disabilities and how overwhelming it can be for families who are trying to navigate complex systems, advocate for their loved ones, and plan for long term independence.
VONTURE was built to fill that gap.
It was not created as another clinical service or day program, but as a Western New York based nonprofit that provides virtual first support where individuals can build friendships and social connection, and families can receive guidance navigating self directed services and community resources.
Through social connection programs, self-direction navigation, and a virtual resource hub, VONTURE helps individuals and families find support, build relationships, and access the tools they need to live more independent lives.
This is more than a nonprofit. It is a commitment to ensuring that no individual or family has to navigate this journey alone.
Our Core Values
Vision
Equitable access to meaningful social connection, skill-building opportunities, and a supportive family network so that every person with disabilities, regardless of location, transportation, or income, can engage both online and within their community.
Concept
Vonture is Buffalo’s first virtual-first empowerment hub for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families. It bridges a critical gap in Western New York: addressing isolation, system navigation, and accessibility through a dual-family model that supports both participants and caregivers.
Vonture = entire family ecosystem
- Participants (individuals) build confidence & advocacy.
- Families learn to navigate OPWDD and secure support.
- Dual approach that is rare in WNY
- Centered on building advocacy or family capacity instead of centered around staff delivering rehabilitation services.
- Tackles three pain points at once: isolation, navigation, accessibility.
- Virtual-first, so rural families and those with transportation barriers can join.
- Builds advocacy, life skills, and independence (not just friendships).
Social Connection Program
Learn moreSelf-Direction Navigation
Learn moreVirtual Resource Hub
Learn moreOUR Team
Team of volunteers
Vonture is powered by volunteers who genuinely care about connection and community. They help create welcoming spaces where individuals with developmental disabilities can build friendships, feel more confident, and know they belong.
Whether they are helping with virtual social sessions or supporting families as they look for resources, our volunteers are a big part of making sure no one has to go through this journey alone.
Join as a volunteerOur Events
Upcoming circles and community gatherings will be announced soon 💛
We’re preparing safe, supportive spaces for connection.
Vonture