The move strengthens both organizations’ efforts to build a more inclusive society, starting in classrooms and lasting a lifetime.

We are proud to announce that The Nora Project, a nonprofit dedicated to teaching empathy and inclusion through education, will be integrated into CEL on July 1.

This thoughtful and mission-aligned integration reflects a shared commitment to building a more inclusive world for people with and without disabilities, starting in classrooms and continuing across a lifetime. The Nora Project will retain its signature programming, brand identity, and educational mission, while benefiting from CEL’s operational infrastructure and strategic support. 

The work of CEL empowers people with developmental disabilities to experience life’s possibilities and be fully included in the community. A community that is impacted by The Nora Project’s commitment to changing not just how students view disability, but also shaping how they engage with the world around them, for life.

“This is about planting seeds earlier,” said Herb Washington, CEO of CEL. “The Nora Project equips students and educators with the tools to understand and embrace difference. CEL provides a community where inclusion is a lived experience. Together, we’re creating a more connected, compassionate world from childhood through adulthood.”

Founded in 2016, The Nora Project has reached tens of thousands of students across the country through disability inclusion curricula; fostering empathy, reducing stigma, and building meaningful relationships. Its work has been nationally recognized and embraced by educators who want to ensure their classrooms are a place of belonging.

“Joining CEL is an incredible opportunity for our work to grow in both scope and impact,” said Lauren Schrero, Co-Founder and Board Chair of The Nora Project. “We’re aligning our mission to a broader vision—a world where people with disabilities are fully included in their communities at every stage and in every aspect of life.”

As part of CEL, The Nora Project’s mission will remain intact while its reach is expanded through new partnerships and increased capacity. CEL, a leader in disability inclusion and empowerment since 1968, offers social, employment, mental health, adult day, and community-based programs that support teens, adults, and seniors with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The ultimate goal is to create a future where inclusion is not an afterthought but is embedded in how people teach, live, and connect from the start.

“Together, we’ll reach more people, share more resources, and create even more meaningful opportunities for people with and without disabilities to thrive together,” said Schrero.

Learn more about The Nora Project on our website.

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