Bridget Gholston is proud of the work she does at Aspire CoffeeWorks partner, Metropolis Coffee Company.

…and you’ll find it hard to believe that this bubbly young lady was once hampered by her quiet nature and shy personality. “I’d get so nervous I couldn’t talk,” she recalled. She was also uncomfortable taking public transportation, hunting for a job and living on her own.

Fortunately, her aunt had heard about Aspire’s efforts to redefine what’s possible for people of disabilities.

Getting involved in Aspire’s independent living program was the first step toward a new life for Bridget, helping her gain the confidence “to try new things, like taking the bus on my own,” she said.

That first step led to many more, such as a job opportunity in production at Aspire CoffeeWorks. Bridget excelled as an employee and was so detail-oriented that Aspire’s partner,

aspirechicago.comTogether, We’re Better. a newsletter for Aspire’s family and friends | Fall/Winter 2016

aspirations

continued on page 5

Have a Conversation with Bridget Gholston...

What did you do this past summer?

Usually, that’s one of the most difficult questions for me to answer, but not this summer. I went back to school – not for another degree, but to tour college campuses with my oldest daughter, Alexandra, who just started her junior year of high school.

It was the highlight of my summer! Not only did I get to spend quality time with Alexandra, but the experience of walking around lush campuses, touring huge lecture halls and visiting ultra-modern dorms was pure nostalgia.

Then a harsh cold reality set in – that in less than two years, Alexandra would be leaving home, to live independently on her own, for the very first time. I know she’ll do well; but as her father, the very thought of her leaving gives me pause.

And I realized that’s the same mix of emotions Aspire parents experience, virtually every day.

Believe me, this is not an easy process, and it requires courage and faith. Courage to reach out to professionals who can help your child learn how to walk, speak or receive therapy through Aspire Kids; attend classes or acquire job skills through Aspire Careers; move into an Aspire community home; or learn how to live, safely and successfully, through Aspire Living.

It also requires tremendous faith – that you’ve made the right decision, one that can help your child develop and grow into someone who’s judged not on what they can’t do, but on what they can.

Like all Aspire parents, I’m blessed to have a remarkable child. I’ll be excited and a little sad when Alexandra leaves for college. But I’m confident that she’ll be in the right hands.

Just like Aspire parents are with us.

Jim Kales President & CEO

Letter from our President

ente

rpris

e up

dat

e

Aspire Careers is Expanding!

Coming in 2017 is Aspire Academy, a unique learning

environment where adults with disabilities can broaden their

horizons, discover new interests and gain invaluable job skills. To increase their

opportunities in the workforce and community, we’re also

creating dynamic partnerships with large corporations.

More info to come.

IT ALSO rEqUIrES TrEmENdOUS FAITH – THAT yOU’vE

mAdE THE rIGHT dECISION, ONE THAT CAN HELP

yOUr CHILd dEvELOP ANd GrOW INTO SOmEONE

WHO’S JUdGEd NOT ON WHAT THEy CAN’T dO, BUT

ON WHAT THEy CAN.

Building Awareness for All Are Welcome

In 2014, Aspire partnered with Loyola University Chicago Andrew m. Greeley Center (Greeley) for Catholic Education, with support from the Big Shoulders Fund, to create All Are Welcome, a multi-faceted approach for helping Catholic schools adopt inclusive practices that can better serve students with disabilities.

Over 1,380 children, parents and school staff were positively impacted during our first program year. Even more are expected as we expand from 15 to 23 partnering schools this fall.

To increase awareness for the changes that need to take place, Aspire and Greeley also

Lights, Camera, Action!

From singing, dancing and ribbon twirling, to a clarinet solo and basketball spinning demonstration, Aspire Careers participants “wowed” family members, friends and community leaders on September 23 at Aspire’s Got Talent, a LIvE, two-hour show that they produced and performed themselves.

This was much more than a talent competition, however. Every aspect of the show – from putting together resumes, to interviewing for production jobs and auditioning for the show – replicated the same steps needed to find a job in the community. As a result, participants increased their career knowledge,

Extending LoMO Philosophy to Community Homes

Aspire’s Life on my Own (LomO) initiative has been so successful in helping participants acquire the skills needed to live safely, successfully and independently that the results-driven LoMO philosophy is being extended to community homes.

“We embarked on this new initiative in response to participants’ evolving needs,” said Aspire Living and Aspire Careers vice President Bill dwyer. “People want to live on their own, and through LoMO, we can help them achieve their goals.”

That means “helping community home residents learn the key skills used in everyday life,” said Bill.

partnered on the Mustard Seed Project, an annual conference for principals, teachers, parents and community leaders. This year’s conference on October 10 enabled more than 200 principals and teachers to learn about inclusive “best practices” now taking place. Parents also benefited, meeting like-minded individuals and enlarging their support network.

reinforced their self-confidence and had fun in the process.

From those on the production team to our performers, they also learned the importance of making a commitment and working hard to achieve their goals – the same thing that employees must do, every day on the job.

ente

rpris

e up

dat

e

Some skills, like nutrition and exercise, are already being practiced regularly. more residents are choosing healthy options like cereal and yogurt at breakfast, or leafy green vegetables at dinner. They’re also having fresh fruit instead of pop and sweets at snack-time.

residents are also getting up and exercising more. recent programs include dance classes that have gone over quite well and we’re excited about the future.

Thank you to the countless volunteers who continue to share themselves with Aspire, in any way they can, to help us achieve our vision of a more inclusive community. Their contributions of time, talent, friendship and partnership are what enable us to grow stronger. Here are some recent examples:

Our 6th annual Ben-a-Fit Block Party on may 22 would not have been as successful without the 56 volunteers led by volunteer Coordinator Jessica Payne, who helped out before, during and after the event.

Just two days later, 10 volunteers from Aspire partner, Assurance, got their hands dirty working on the Eamon Shannon Center beautification project, which included power-washing playground equipment. They also helped with the lovely landscaping at Aspire headquarters.

Landscaping efforts continued on June 10, thanks to 25 volunteers from Aspire’s partner, Convergint Technologies. They also repaired the outdoor deck and updated a bathroom at headquarters.

members of the Chicago chapter of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) have been volunteering at Aspire for years. On September 10, we welcomed 25 IFmA members, who painted at our community homes in Berkeley, IL, washed vans, repaired roofs, landscaped and cleaned therapy equipment used for Aspire Kids.

And thank you to the 13 employees from MB Financial Bank, who did a great job power-washing the deck and painting at our community homes on September 14 as part of their annual “mB on the Block” volunteer day. mB has been partnering with Aspire since 2012.

1

2

3

4

5

Building Partnerships Through volunteerism

· VOLuntEEr uPdAtEs ·

CongrATulATIons...

….to our Aspire friends, Hannah Tuohy and Liam Kirstein, who are enjoying their first year at new schools. Hannah’s a freshman at Josephinum Academy of the Sacred Heart, an all-girl, Catholic college prep high school in Chicago.

Liam is spending his first year on a Big Ten college campus through the University of Iowa (UI) rEACH (realizing Educational and Career Hopes) Program. Like Aspire, UI rEACH empowers young adults to become independent, engaged members of the community.

Who better than the The PrivateBank to supply nine knowledgeable volunteers to help out with our Aspire Careers money management Fair on September 22?

6 7 8We also want to give a shout-out to our volunteer interns: Henry and Bridget sloan, siblings who assisted with Aspire Living projects and are students at University of michigan and Wooster, Justine Cabrera, who provided childcare for Aspire Kids, and Katherine Karabon, a University of Wisconsin-madison student who learned about occupational therapy at Aspire Kids Chicago.

Finally, a big thanks to longtime volunteer Judy lorch, who continues to help with Aspire Kids and provide administrative support and many smiles!

Interested in volunteering at Aspire? We have a wide range of opportunities available. Find out more at aspirechicago.com/do-something.

metropolis Coffee Company, made her a job offer she couldn’t refuse.

Today, she commutes an hour by public transportation to and from her job as a production assistant at metropolis, where her primary responsibility is labeling bags of coffee. “And there are so many new things to learn here,” said Bridget, “like bagging coffee, sealing the bags, even shipping.”

What makes metropolis as well as Aspire CoffeeWorks stand out is the personal touch that goes into every bag. Unlike roasters with automated production processes, Aspire CoffeeWorks and metropolis rely on people like Bridget, who applies the right label to the right bag of the right coffee blend, carefully and with a little love.

When she’s not at work, Bridget enjoys listening to music, watching funny movies, going shopping, and especially, getting together with family and friends. “I’m a lot more outgoing now,” she said. “And I really love to laugh.”

“Aspire can help anyone who has problems learn how to do things, like find an apartment or a job,” she added. ”They’re wonderful.”

continued from page 1

Make a Difference with Every PodWhen you buy Aspire CoffeeWorks coffee, you support our efforts to bring more adults with developmental disabilities into the workforce, making a difference with every cup.

Starting this month, you can also make a difference with every coffee pod. That’s because your favorite life-changing flavors – Bold Ambition French Roast, Everyday Inspiration Signature Blend and Dream Big Decaf – now come in single-serve pods compatible with most Keurig® and Keurig® style brewers, including Keurig® 2.0.

Since pods and bags are completely compostable, you’ll also be making a difference in our environment.

If you’re one of the first 25 people ordering a 10-pod bag, you’ll receive an Aspire CoffeeWorks travel mug FREE. Place your order today at AspireCoffeeWorks.com, and keep us in mind this holiday season for your corporate and personal gifts. 100% of net proceeds benefit Aspire.

Thank you to the Moceri Family Foundation for funding the launch of our single-serve pods.

Bridget Gholston makes sure that the right label is on the right bag of the right Metropolis blend.

What’s Going On at Aspire?

EVEntrECAP

Working out never Felt so good! Over 30 Associate Board members and friends perspired for Aspire on April 30 at a private, total body workout donated by Sweat Chicago. From burpees and jump squats to planks and pushups, the high-intensity event was phenomenally fun, raising awareness plus over $1,300 for our life-changing programs. The next Perspire for Aspire is on November 5 at The Bar method in Lakeview.

record-setting Aspire Block Party “Ben-A-Fit”Thanks to our generous volunteers, donors and sponsors including presenting sponsor, CBrE, we raised a record-setting $26,000+ for Aspire Living and Aspire Careers at our 6th Annual Ben-A-Fit Block Party on may 22. The family-friendly festival was founded by Ben Adelman, who wanted to give back to Aspire for the help he received as a child and now as an adult.

More Than 300 Party At The Zoo Summer wouldn’t be complete without Aspire Kids’ annual Family Party at the Zoo on July 27. Kids of all ages enjoyed petting goats and snakes, doing arts and crafts, having their face painted, riding the Safari Train and feasting on a BBq dinner. many thanks to members of the Brookfield Zoo: Chicago Zoological Society’s Women’s Board and Aspire volunteers for making this free evening at the zoo fun for families!

golfing for AspireAnother summertime highlight is the vIP Charity Golf Tournament hosted by longtime Aspire partner, Inpro/Seal. more than 100 golfers including Aspire CEO Jim Kales attended this year’s event on August 8, which raised more than $20,000 benefitting our life-changing programs. Private investment and partners like Inpro/Seal and its parent company dover Corporation, which provided a matching grant, enable us to continue creating new opportunities for adults with disabilities.

Beers, Bears and lions…oh My!No, not the Wizard of Oz. We’re talking about Sunday Funday, our Associate Board’s annual game day party on October 2! Over 200 football fans enjoyed a beautiful fall afternoon on the patio at Will’s Northwoods Inn, watching the Bears and bidding on cool auction prizes, including prime Blackhawks tickets. Thanks to sponsor Lincoln Property Company and all who attended this popular event that raised awareness of our mission and $13,000 for our programs.

see back page for upcoming events.

Stay up-to-date with Aspire’s news and events by visiting aspirechicago.com/news-events.

Aspire’s Associate Board and friends relax, post-workout. Learn more about the Novem-ber 5 event at aspirechiacago.com/perspire-for-aspire.

Kids of all ages had fun at Aspire’s Party at the Zoo.

Thank you for helping us raise $13,000 on Sunday Funday!

FOLLOW us On sOCIAL MEdIA

Find us on Facebook – AspireChicago and AspireCoffeeWorks.

Follow us on Twitter @Aspireorg, @AspirePrez, @CoffeeContessa and @AspireCoffee.

Follow us on linkedIn – Aspire Chicago.

Left to right: Ben-A-Fit Founders, Marc and Ben Adelman, with Jim Kales.

Jeff Kaiser celebrates the independence he’s gained through Aspire Life on My Own.

despite a developmental disability, he’s living safely, successfully and independently, thanks to Aspire’s innovative Life on My Own (LomO) program.

Considering that he’s only been on his own for a short time, Jeff’s made significant progress. Until recently, Jeff lived with his parents. The question of “what to do next” came up in 2014, after Jeff’s dad passed away, the family house was sold, and his mother, who passed away this year, moved into a nursing home.

Jeff’s siblings wanted to be sure he was safe, so, after helping him move into an apartment, they contacted Aspire for support with his newly independent lifestyle.

Their timing couldn’t have been better. Aspire had just launched LoMO, a unique independent living program helping adults with disabilities ages 18 and up lead completely independent lives in their own house or apartment in the community of their choice.

“We start by assessing each participant to determine what skills they need to learn to succeed and be safe,” said Bridget Oliveri, Aspire’s Associate director of Life on My Own. “We then design a curriculum that we know can help them reach their goals.”

meet Jeff Kaiser: dancing, Acting and Living on His Own with the Help of Aspire

In their assessment, Aspire Living team members determined that Jeff needed to improve his cooking and financial planning skills. Sessions focused on these and other skills take place at Jeff’s apartment.

Once he mastered these skills, Jeff moved on to others, such as learning how to identify his own values and beliefs and develop healthy relationships. To reinforce his financial skills, he continues talking to Aspire life coaches about his monthly budget and spending habits. Jeff is proud to say that he’s now excellent at budgeting.

Jeff and his siblings are pleased with how much he’s grown over the past two years. “Aspire helps you learn what you need to know, so you can do it yourself,” said Jeff, who now uses skills he gained with Aspire to help his friends, often recommending that they participate in LoMO.

To learn more about Life on My Own, visit aspirechicago.com/living.

From dancing and acting to just spending time with

“the guys,” jeFF Kaiser is a man oF many interests.

Find out How loMo Can HelpAspire’s Life on My Own (LoMO) program helps adults with disabilities ages 18 and up from Oswego to Evanston learn creative new ways to face unique challenges and celebrate reaching milestones in their journey to live independently.

LoMO participants receive individualized instruction in problem-solving, critical thinking, self-advocacy, along with the skills needed to safely and successfully navigate life

on one’s own. To reinforce learning, participants

practice and apply these skills in scenarios, discussions and community outings.

Sessions can be held at the individual’s family home, apartment or

in the community. Another option is the Aspire-owned LoMO Teaching Home in the western suburbs, where participants can live full-time on their own while receiving support and instruction from Aspire team members, or visit for sessions.

Interested in finding out more?

Visit www.aspirechicago.com/living.

loMo

1815 s. wolf roadhillside, iL 60162

tel 708.547.3550 fax 708.547.4067

aspirechicago.com

Let’s Set a New Record on #GivingTuesdayPlease invite your families, friends and co-workers to make a difference this holiday season by making a donation to Aspire on #GivingTuesday, November 29.

What’s #GivingTuesday? It’s a single day on which people around the world are encouraged to give

back to the causes that matter most to them.

We’re proud to be one of more than 40,000 groups worldwide participating in this global initiative. Our goal is to surpass the record-setting $101,000 in contributions that we collected last year.

remember, every dollar counts. With your help, we’ll make an even bigger difference in redefining what’s possible for people with disabilities.

visit aspirechicago.com/giving-tuesday to learn more.

Masquerade at Big City Night What’s Coming Up at Aspire?

Join Aspire and more than 600 partygoers on February 4, 2017, as we revel in one of the most iconic party traditions worldwide – a masquerade Ball, complete with costumes and masks, mystery and intrigue – at the rich and opulent

radisson Blu Aqua. It’s our 19th Annual Big City Night Gala benefitting kids with disabilities at Aspire. Watch aspirechicago.com/masquerade-gala-2017 for details on this wildly fun event, coming soon!

Stay up-to-date with Aspire’s news and events by visiting aspirechicago.com/news-events.

Ticket sales open on Tuesday, Nov. 29. In honor of Giving Tuesday, tickets will be available for a special price on Nov. 29.

Thank you to our Big City Night Co-Chairs Cheryl Carter and Jessica Payne!