Aspire’s September Highlights!

We hope you’ve embraced this beautiful fall season as much as we have here at Aspire! It’s been a time filled with joy and unforgettable moments as summer came to a close. As autumn settles in, there’s still so much to savor and reflect upon.

To celebrate the wonderful and busy September we had, we’re excited to share some special updates and highlights from the past month here at Aspire:

Exciting Aspire News:

We are excited to share some amazing news: Aspire has won a federal grant! The Disability Innovation Fund grant will fully fund our brand-new Employment Training Program pilot. This program takes the Career Academy to the next level, offering students the chance to develop skills needed for competitive jobs in the distribution industry. If your loved one is interested in exploring employment opportunities in this growing field, reach out to us for more information. We’d love to hear from you!

Academy North Highlights:

Aspire was honored to host Congressman Brad Schneider, Senator Adriane Johnson, State Representative Joyce Mason, Chair Sandy Hart, and Ann Taylor, Mayor of Waukegan, for a tour and discussion at our Possibility Academy in Waukegan. 

The visit provided an invaluable opportunity to engage with government officials who actively support and advocate for our vision to build an inclusive future for all.

Academy North and South had an absolute blast at the Volo Auto Museum! We explored amazing exhibits like the Hollywood Collection and Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, and there was so much to see around every corner. From classic cars to movie memorabilia, it was a day packed with fun and discovery. We can’t wait for our next adventure! 

The 2024 Aspire Summer Olympics were a huge success! People got to compete both individually and with friends, making for an unforgettable experience. Everyone was a winner, proudly taking home their own gold medal! 

Some of the exciting events included rhythmic dancing, bowling, and thrilling relay races. It was a fun-filled day packed with smiles, laughter, and a true Olympic spirit!

Academy South Highlights:

At the end of August, we wrapped up summer with our very own Aspire Olympics! The events were a blast, featuring a bean bag toss, bean bag darts, ring toss, ribbon dancing, and more!

To start things off in style, the Aspire Choir gave a beautiful performance of the National Anthem. And of course, everyone was a winner, taking home a shiny gold medal! It was a day full of fun, teamwork, and celebration!

Academy South has expanded our visits to the Coping Together Ranch. We have worked with the team at the Ranch to offer job training experiences for a person interested in working with animals.

We are also happy to share that Ranch visits are no longer limited to people that receive therapy there. Everyone at Academy South that wants to will have an opportunity throughout the year!

People from Academy South were able to jump in (literally) to a full sensory experience at SLOOMOO! The slime had different colors, textures, shapes, and smells! Everyone that went was able to create their own container of slime to take home.