FROM ASPIRE'S LEADERSHIP

Our major focus in 2014 was our Center for Learning (CFL) renovation and expansion. We expended just over $7.2M to renovate every square inch of our existing school on Union Road, and added nearly 20,000 square feet. The transformation to a cutting edge educational center is amazing. Our school age students returned in September, and our preschool students in February. We also have been conducting a $1.8M capital campaign to support the CFL project. I am pleased to announce we achieved this goal and are closing up a last few asks to exceed $2M. Thank you to all who contributed! Aspire enhanced its leadership position in finding and preparing individuals with disabilities employment opportunities. In 2014, Aspire’s ADAPT began to offer Community Prevocational Services. We have augmented this employment readiness training by adding assistive technology along with volunteering and internship opportunities between Niagara Falls and Jamestown. We also began to offer a new OPWDD program entitled Pathways to Employment. Our partners for pre-employment internships are growing daily. Last year, Aspire began a collaboration with Summit Educational in the delivery of services that allows an individual with behavioral challenges to stay at home with their family. We also signed a collaborative agreement with Autism Services in the provision of pre-employment training to their students over the coming summer. Aspire continued its exciting process with Niagara Cerebral Palsy of evaluating sharing elect administrative services. As always, thank you for your support and interest. You can follow our accomplishments daily through Facebook and Twitter.