The Tyler Rigg Foundation (TRF) is proud to announce an $8,900 grant to Sound Life Connections (SLC) in support of The WAVE (Work, Advocate, Value, Empower), a first-of-its-kind gelato and training café that will provide vocational opportunities for young adults with disabilities while creating a welcoming and inclusive community space on the Guilford Green.

Founded by special education teacher Tara Beatty and speech-language pathologist Keri Climi, Sound Life Connections is dedicated to closing the gap in services for individuals with developmental disabilities, particularly after high school graduation. The organization currently serves more than 50 young adults and their families through life skills classes, consultations, and social events such as karaoke nights.
In 2024, SLC successfully launched a gelato truck staffed by the dynamic young people they serve. Building on that success, The WAVE opened in the summer of 2025 as a permanent, self-sustaining café.

The goals of the program include:
• Employ and train young adults with disabilities in customer service, food preparation, and life skills.
• Integrate Assistive Technology (AT) and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tools to ensure accessibility for all employees and community members.
• Partner with local businesses to expand job training and employment opportunities.
• Provide an inclusive “hang-out” space and host events that bring people of all abilities together.

“The mission of Sound Life Connections and their vision for The WAVE is at the very heart of the Tyler Rigg Foundation’s origin story,” said Hannah Lintner, trustee of TRF. “These inspirational founders are passionate and committed to creating opportunities where joy, inclusion, and empowerment can thrive. We are thrilled to provide seed funding to help this vision grow.”

The connection between TRF and SLC was made possible by The Guilford Foundation (TGF), which had previously supported Sound Life Connections. In 2025, TGF faced a record number of grant requests and was unable to provide funding to SLC; however, it played a critical role in introducing the two organizations. That connection led to the Tyler Rigg Foundation grant for the launch of The WAVE Cafe.

Sound Life Connections Co-Founder Tara Beatty added, “We are grateful for Liza Janssen, Petra, and The Guilford Foundation for making the introduction. The WAVE is about more than gelato. It’s about empowering young adults with disabilities to take their place as valued members of the community, while creating an inspiring community gathering space where everyone belongs.“

The Tyler Rigg Foundation was founded in 1997 to honor the memory of Tyler Linfert Rigg, whose spirit of kindness, joy, and adventure continues to inspire its work. Guided by its mission to support innovative projects in social welfare, youth empowerment, disability issues, and environmental stewardship, TRF has awarded nearly $1.6 million in grants to more than 130 organizations worldwide. In 2025, the Foundation awarded $164,400 to 26 nonprofits, including three in New Haven County: Horizons at Foote School, the Huneebee Project, and Sound Life Connections.