I hope you are all enjoying these early days of summer. We have been talking a great deal about Aspire’s strategic vision for the future. With the approval of Aspire’s strategic plan, we now begin the work of planning and developing strategies to help us achieve our goals and establish our sustainable future. The three over-arching goals of the plan focus on the areas of learning, impact, and integration. I’m excited to use this as an opportunity to dive into each of these goals and share how I see their fulfillment and resonance throughout the agency.
The Community Giving Fund pays for special projects and needs, like this customized tricycle for an individual in New Hampshire. Aspire kicked off the fund's second year with food and fun across all the states this past week. With a 35% increase in donors and thousands of dollars raised, the week was a great success. THANK YOU!
Aspire is joining ANCOR's photo campaign to convey to lawmakers why Home and Community Based Services are so important to people. Join in and share your story of why you're #AllinForHCBS. Here's how you can participate.
Monday, June 20, is a the Juneteenth holiday, which commemorates the end of slavery in United States, on the day the last community of enslaved people learned of their freedom. Check out these events near you.
You're invited to the Summer Bazaar in Hamden, Connecticut on June 18. There will be handmade items, jewelry, baked goods, soaps, scrubs, candles, dog treats and much more. Sellers and buyers welcome.
Aspire received two awards this past month. The Vermont Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and the New Hampshire Governor’s Council on Physical Activity and Health both honored Aspire for promoting a healthy workforce.
Aspire applied for $10,000 for tutoring for Permanency from M&T Bank Foundation, which also includes the People’s United Bank Foundation geographic service area and philanthropic interests. The two banks have merged. We were denied by the Willis C. Helm Charitable Trust for $5,000 for tutoring and training for Permanency. We’ll try again next year!
Spotlight
Tim Thornton:
Top of His Class
There’s a common saying that when you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism. Former ALL Academy student Tim Thornton and his family learned the importance of an individualized approach to support when he was in elementary school.
Welcome to our new colleagues. We’re so glad you’ve chosen to join the Aspire Living & Learning community. Click below to see who’s joined us in May and reach out to give them a warm welcome!
What does DEI mean at Aspire? In celebrating Pride Month and the upcoming Juneteenth holiday, it is important to be reflective of our role in supporting a diverse and inclusive workplace. A key focus of Aspire’s Strategic Plan is to do just that: Prioritize our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).