Mystic View TV, Futures, Inc

What Mystic View TV, Futures, Inc does

Futures Inc. is a Connecticut non-profit corporation founded in 1988 by Pamela DonAroma and Dr. Orv Karan (UConn Center for Excellence) that delivers community-based special education, adult services, and social enterprise employment programs for individuals with disabilities across the state. Its core educational offering is Futures School, a tuition-funded special education program for students ages 14-22 with cognitive, sensory, emotional, and behavioral disabilities — the first community-based school approved by the Connecticut State Department of Education in 1997 — reporting a 95% graduation rate and 500+ students served to date. Adult services are delivered under contract with the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services.

The organization operates a portfolio of social enterprises that double as vocational training environments and earned-revenue streams. Good Cause Gifts runs three Connecticut retail storefronts plus an online shop selling handcrafted items; The Kitchen is a Middletown-based commercial kitchen (15+ staff including professional chefs) that supplies institutional cafes at Hospital for Special Care, Mandell JCC Greater Hartford, and Hartford Public Library. Specialized programs include Driver's Education (with Epic Driving School) and Chef Mara's ILST (Individual Life Skills Training) culinary program with ServSafe certification. The proprietary methodology is Person-Centered Situational Assessments — a strengths-based vocational evaluation approach pioneered by DonAroma and recognized as the first such method in Connecticut.

Futures Inc. earns revenue through four principal streams: (1) Connecticut DDS contracts for adult services (originally routed via UConn until 1995 incorporation), (2) public school district tuition for Futures School students, (3) social enterprise product and food-service sales, and (4) donations and event-based fundraising (annual Fashion Show and Gala with flagship sponsors NBT Bank, Liberty Bank, Comcast, Daily Pay, Reardon Family Charitable Foundation). The organization operates from a headquarters at 902 South Quaker Lane in West Hartford and maintains a regional footprint spanning 10+ Connecticut locations. It is privately funded (no equity rounds disclosed), bootstrapped historically via founder personal credit, and governed by an executive team led by DonAroma (Founder, President & CEO) and Damion Williams (Executive Director & CFO).

Name

Mystic View TV, Futures, Inc

Legal name

Futures Inc.

Website

https://futures-ct.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Futures Inc. is a Connecticut non-profit founded in 1988 that provides tuition-funded special education (ages 14-22), adult services, and social enterprise employment programs — including three Good Cause Gifts retail stores and a commercial kitchen — for individuals with disabilities statewide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Services & Special Education

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Education Vocational & Transition Programs (18–22) (EDAKAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Special Needs Adult Day Programs (Developmental/Physical Disabilities, Seniors) (HLADAIAI), Functional Life Skills & Transition-to-Adulthood Curriculum (ADL, Vocational, Community) (EDAGAMAJ), Transition Services (Secondary to Postsecondary/Employment, Life Skills) (EDAJAKAG)

Keywords

• Disability services
• Special education programs
• Vocational training
• Social enterprise employment
• Adult day services

Headquarters

HQ city

West Hartford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. State-Funded Programs: Revenue from Connecticut's Department of Developmental Services for adult services programs. Contracts with state were originally directed through UCONN before Futures Inc. became independent in 1995.
2. Public School District Tuition: Local school districts pay tuition for students referred to Futures Inc. School. Most students attend tuition-free with costs covered by their local district.
3. Social Enterprises: Good Cause Gifts retail gift shops (three locations plus online) and The Kitchen commercial kitchen operations generate revenue through product sales and food service contracts.
4. Fee-for-Service Vocational Assessments: Original revenue model based on fee-for-service vocational assessments for adults with disabilities, generating $1 million in first year as independent nonprofit.
5. Donations and Fundraising: Annual Gala and Fashion Show raises funds. Donations accepted via PayPal. Event includes sponsorships from corporate partners.
6. Good Cause Gifts Retail Sales: Gift store with online presence and three locations around Connecticut. Products include unique, handcrafted items. Revenue supports employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Futures Inc. is a Connecticut-based non-profit that delivers community-based special education for students ages 14-22 with disabilities, individualized adult services (including the pioneering person-centered situational assessments), and social enterprises (Good Cause Gifts retail shops and The Kitchen commercial kitchen) that generate revenue while providing real-world competitive employment opportunities for program participants.

Product overview

Futures Inc. is a non-profit organization offering a portfolio of educational and social enterprise programs for individuals with disabilities. The core offerings include Futures School (a tuition-free special education program for students ages 14-22) and social enterprises including Good Cause Gifts (retail gift shops with online presence) and The Kitchen (commercial kitchen providing meals to partner locations). Additional programs include driver's education and ILST (Individual Life Skills Training) culinary instruction. The organization operates multiple Connecticut locations including West Hartford, Middletown, Norwich, and Berlin.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Futures School Tuition-free special education school for students ages 14-22 with acquired brain injuries, learning, emotional, cognitive, sensory, and/or behavioral disabilities; achieves a 95% graduation rate with curriculum covering academics, employment experiences, life skills, socialization, fine arts, animal therapy, culinary arts, and driver's education.
• Good Cause Gifts (Retail Social Enterprise) Retail gift shop social enterprise with three Connecticut locations (Berlin, West Hartford, Middletown) plus online store, selling unique handcrafted items while providing meaningful work experience and competitive employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
• The Kitchen (Commercial Kitchen Social Enterprise) Commercial kitchen in Middletown employing 15 people including professional chefs; prepares meals for Futures School, the Cafe at Hospital for Special Care (New Britain), the JCC Cafe (West Hartford), and Hartford Public Library Downtown Branch, with online ordering for retail customers.
• Adult Services (Vocational Assessments & Supported Employment) Individualized services for adults with disabilities referred through Connecticut's Department of Developmental Services, including person-centered situational vocational assessments, community-based support, and competitive employment placement.
• Driver's Education Program Driver's education class delivered in partnership with Epic Driving School, offering 14 two-hour sessions preparing students for the Connecticut learner's permit exam, including the state-required eight-hour safe driving training.
• ILST Culinary Program (Chef Mara) Individual Life Skills Training culinary program that teaches students cooking, grocery shopping, meal planning, and food safety, with an opportunity to earn ServSafe certification.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% graduation rate at Futures Inc. School
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• NBT BankflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 November 2024Flagship sponsor of the 11th Annual Fashion Show and Gala 2024. Event held November 7, 2024 at Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville, CT.
• Liberty BankflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 November 2024Flagship sponsor of the 11th Annual Fashion Show and Gala 2024.
• ComcastflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 November 2024Flagship sponsor of the 11th Annual Fashion Show and Gala 2024.
• Daily PayflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 November 2024Flagship sponsor of the 11th Annual Fashion Show and Gala 2024.
• Reardon Family Charitable FoundationflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 November 2024Flagship sponsor of the 11th Annual Fashion Show and Gala 2024.
• Epic Driving SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered to bring driver's education classes to Futures Inc. students. Epic Driving School in West Hartford provided flexible, accommodating instruction tailored to students' needs. Course consisted of fourteen two-hour sessions preparing students for learner's permit exam, including state-required eight-hour safe driving training.
• University of Connecticut Center for ExcellencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partnership between Pamela DonAroma and Dr. Orv Karan from UCONN's Center for Excellence in 1988. UCONN provided office space and credibility. This collaboration launched the development of person-centered situational assessments and established Futures Inc.'s foundation.
• Hospital for Special CarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Kitchen at Futures Inc. provides meals to the Cafe at the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain, CT.
• JCC Café (Mandell JCC Greater Hartford)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Kitchen at Futures Inc. provides meals to the JCC Café in West Hartford, CT.
• YMCAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGood Cause Gifts has partnered with local organizations including YMCA for community events and collaborations.
• Public School Districts (Connecticut)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal school districts across Connecticut refer students with disabilities to Futures Inc. School. Due to the unique and affordable services provided, public schools have become Futures Inc.'s leading partner.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Arc Connecticut: State chapter of The Arc, providing advocacy, employment, and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Connecticut. Overlapping service population, state funding sources, and mission focus.
• Benhaven: Connecticut-based non-profit providing services for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities, including adult day programs, employment supports, and community living. Directly comparable in geography and population served.
• Melmark: Non-profit operating special education schools and adult programs for individuals with intellectual, developmental, and behavioral disabilities in the Northeast. Comparable in special education transition focus and adult services portfolio.
• Marrakech Inc. Connecticut-based non-profit providing vocational and community-based services for individuals with disabilities. Operates social enterprises (e.g., Marrakech Woodworking) similar to Futures Inc.'s Good Cause Gifts and The Kitchen, and serves the same CT DDS referral population.
• Pathlight (formerly The May Institute): Non-profit providing special education schools, adult services, and community-based programs for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities across multiple states. Comparable service mix spanning transition-age education and adult vocational services.
• Ability Beyond: Connecticut-based non-profit providing services for individuals with disabilities including vocational programs, residential supports, and community-based day services. Comparable CT-focused service portfolio with state agency funding model.
• Vista Vocational & Life Skills Center: Connecticut-based non-profit providing life skills training, vocational services, and community-based programs for adults with disabilities. Overlapping adult services and community-based program model in the same CT geography.
• Kennedy Center Inc. Connecticut-based non-profit serving individuals with disabilities through employment, residential, and community programs. Operates social enterprises and contracts with the CT Department of Developmental Services — directly comparable in service mix, geography, and funding model.
• LifeBridge Community Services: Connecticut-based non-profit serving individuals with developmental disabilities through day programs, employment services, and community supports. Comparable CT-specific service model serving the same DDS-referred population.

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals Connecticut: Connecticut affiliate of the national Easterseals network, offering disability services, employment programs, and community-based supports. Broader portfolio than Futures Inc., but overlapping service categories and CT geography make it a relevant comparable.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/FuturesCT
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/futuresinc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mystic View TV, Futures, Inc