Union City nonprofit supporting disabled adults gets surprise donation

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Jennifer Conforti says the idea for Two Sparrows Village came to her when her daughter Abby, who has profound autism, was about 6 years old.

That was when reality hit. Jennifer says she woke up one day with a clear voice in her head asking, “What happens when Abby is 22?”

“I believe it was the Holy Spirit,” she said. “He said, ‘You need to build a facility for adults with disabilities.’”

She remembers immediately thinking she had no idea how to build a community.

“And He interrupted me,” Jennifer said. “And said, ‘Yes, but you know people who do.’”

That moment changed everything.

Union City’s Two Sparrows Village launched in May 2017 with a simple but powerful vision: to provide support for adults with intellectual disabilities and autism so they can thrive.

Today, the village includes one cottage that houses four adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They receive 24-hour care, attend day programs Monday through Thursday, work jobs, volunteer and build independence.

“They are blossoming because they are able to have some level of independence,” Jennifer said.

For families like hers, the need is urgent.

“We need housing for people like my daughter, nonverbal,” she said. “We need somebody to help those folks.”

Jennifer’s work has touched countless families, friends and supporters. That’s why Atlanta News First’s Surprise Squad showed up to thank her.

Jennifer thought she was walking into a normal day. Instead, she opened the door to a room full of people shouting, “Surprise!”

“I never miss a surprise,” Atlanta News First Anchor Gurvir Dhindsa told her. “You missed this one — big time!”

The Surprise Squad, along with United Community, presented Jennifer with a donation to support Two Sparrows Village.

“Jennifer, we want to present this to you for what you’ve done — not only for your daughter, but for the entire community,” Lydia Autry with United Community said. “Thank you.”

Jennifer was overwhelmed.

“Thank you. I’m speechless,” she said. “I’m never speechless. Am I ever speechless?”

She then turned to Gurvir and laughed. “Gurvir, I can’t. You are a stinker!”

The surprises did not stop there. Jennifer also received a $500 spa gift card — a small token of appreciation for a woman carrying a much bigger dream.

Jennifer says her goal isn’t just to help her daughter. It’s to build a future for families across the country.

“I have a 100-year goal,” she said. “By the time Abby is in the grave, I want to see a Two Sparrows Village 200 miles from every major city in the U.S.”

For Jennifer, the mission cannot wait.

“One of our participants, her mother died a few weeks ago,” Jennifer said. “Her mother is all she had. Where is she going to go?”

That question is what keeps Jennifer moving forward.

“I want to make sure Two Sparrows Village becomes their one less fear,” she said. “Could you imagine if we could give parents one less fear?”