STRIVE Rocks is just a few weeks away! There's still plenty of time to register and start your fundraising!
All you'll need to do is fundraise a minimum of $75 to participate. We also have other incentives if you’d like to continue your fundraising as well as special prizes for our Top Fundraisers!
ID: Pictures of the prizes for our Top Fundraisers.
This year’s STRIVE Rocks is extra special for a number of reasons; not only will it be our 20th year of holding our all-night dance marathon, but it will be our first STRIVE Rocks back in person since 2019!
STRIVE Rocks 2024 will take place from 8pm Friday, May 17th-8am, Saturday, May 18th at STRIVE (28 Foden Road, South Portland, Maine). We'll have everything you loved about past in-person events -- bands, theme hours, games & activities, prizes, and of course...dancing! Visit our STRIVE Rocks website HERE for more information about the event!
We hope you'll rock with us for our 20th STRIVE Rocks event! Questions? Contact Whitney at wwildes@pslstrive.org!
Take a look at this year's STRIVE Rocks theme hours! Remember, those with the most spirit will win the coveted Spirit Sash and other prizes, so get your costumes and props ready!
Not interested in staying up all night long? There's plenty of ways to be involved. Scroll below to find out more!
Program Updates
Here's what's happening in our programs!
STRIVE U
STRIVE U students have been embracing spring and the nicer weather that comes along with it. Students kicked the month off by watching the solar eclipse! Later in the month staff hosted a “welcoming spring” event outside for students to attend. At thia event, students had the opportunity to sample new and different foods. Students also participated in the West End Community clean-up Day to celebrate Earth Day. The students successfully collected a couple of bags of trash to clean up the neighborhood. Lastly, this month students have officially started the garden on campus. Students will be responsible for tending to and harvesting the garden!
ID: 3 STRIVE U Studentsoutside working in garden beds.
ID: STRIVE U student smiling. He is wearing sunglasses and a hat and is giving a thumbs up.
ID: STRIVE U students and staff sitting at a picnic table and looking up at the eclipse. They are all wearing eclipse glases.
STRIVE U is a comprehensive two-year residential, post-secondary educational opportunity for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. To learn more about the program, schedule a tour, or get an application, please contact admissions@pslstrive.org or call (207) 774.6278.
It was another quick month in TOPS as we split up the month with a week's long break in the middle. Students are gearing up for the end of the school year, confirming more concrete plans for post-graduation life. It's been a great month to ease back into outside leisure activities like trail walks and outdoor basketball. Our groups are diving deeper into healthy relationship curriculum based on their interests for further education. The groups took their classroom jobs to the next level, completing mock interviews before they were assigned their final job of the school year. Next up is our TOPS Graduation on May 30th where our 13 graduating students will speak on their experiences and future plans.
ID: TOPS student dressed in nice clothes. She is standing and smiling.
ID: TOPS student putside on a walk. There are trees in the background and leaves on the group. She is smiling.
ID: 4 TOPS students standing under trees with pink flowers.
TOPS (Transition Outcomes Program for Students) provides transition programming for high school students from area school districts who are typically 18 years and older. For more information, please contact Ryanne Desjardins at rdesjardins@pslstrive.org or by phone at 207-879-0847.
STRIVE WorldWIDE is STRIVE's online program that teaching independent living skills. For more information about STRIVE WorldWIDE, contact Courtney Veinotte at cveinotte@pslstrive.org or call 207-712-0048.
This month participants at Bayside have been experimenting with new and more challenging recipes from cookbooks like barbeque meatloaf, homemade macaroni and cheese, chicken picadillo, and Pad Thai. We are also starting an educational unit on reading recipes and practicing kitchen measurements.
Earlier in the month, our participants were invited to see the US Army Field Band perform at Merrill Auditorium. We also got the opportunity to tour USM’s community radio station WMPG. We got to watch part of a live on-air broadcast and we also got to sit around a table and make believe we were on the radio too!
Staff and participants have certainly been enjoying the warmer weather by spending more time outside. Participants have had fun planning navigation days walking down to visit businesses in the Old Port and exploring other areas of Portland in the sunshine.
ID: Bayside participant to staff standing next to the oven. They are smiling and holding up a dish on the stovetop.
ID: Bayside participants sitting at a table doing work on a map. There are two windows and a clock in the background.
ID: Group of Bayside participants sitting in a recording studio at the radio station.
For more information on Bayside, please contact Community Support Program Director, Veerle Pottie, at vpottie@pslstrive.org.
ACTIVE: This month we went to the Merrill Auditorium to view the Kotzschmar Memorial Organ. The Kotzschmar organ was built in 1911 and was donated to the city of Portland where it remains today. We had the opportunity to not only listen to an incredible talk and demonstration by organist, James Kennerley, but they also brought us backstage to walk through the pipe organ as well! It was so awesome to get a peek behind the scenes. We even got to walk through the organ’s wind chest!
WAVES: This month we partnered with Opera Maine and attended their Opera For All program. Opera For All is a program that aims to make opera more inclusive and accessible to everyone in the community. We traveled to the USM Gorham campus to view an educational talk and an opera performance by USM students and Opera Maine professionals. We had so much fun and learned a lot about all of the work that goes into opera. We even had the opportunity to check out the different props that they use in their performances!
ID: ACTIVE participant standing in front of large chimes
ID: Participants at Opera Maine. They are sitting in front of the stage. There are people and various props and items on the stage.
For more information on ACTIVE or WAVES, please contact Community Support Program Director, Veerle Pottie, at vpottie@pslstrive.org.
At Strive’s studios this month in we’ve had our first pieces of pottery thrown on the wheels including some mugs and candle holders. The yearbook committee is in full swing working hard to design and produce the upcoming yearbook. As always there’s been lots of painting, drawing, and digital art. Can’t wait for next month!
ID: 2 STRIVE Studios participants posing next to eachother and smiling.
ID: STRIVE participants and staff working on pottery wheels.
For more information on STRIVE Studios, please contact Community Support Program Director, Veerle Pottie, at vpottie@pslstrive.org.
Our May Wednesday Night Ed Series is all about self-care and stress relievers! In this series, we will talk about different tips and tricks and practice self-care strategies! As a reminder, students must register before the first class!
ID: green leaves in the top left and bottom right. There are light green colors blobs in the middle, bottom left and top right.
The Wednesday Night Educational Series is held every Wednesday in person for participants 15-24 years old. Series are between 4 and 8 weeks and topics vary from month to month! The price per series is $30-$40, depending on the series' length. For more information or for your link to join class, contact Alex at awoodhouse@pslstrive.org.
April STRIVE Camp was amazing! From exciting community explorations to endless crafts and games, we had an absolute blast! Thanks to all our campers for making it unforgettable! Until next time!
ID: Five campers standing outside
ID: Two campers at a planetarium show
ID: Three campers sitting on the pavement
Registration for Summer Camp STRIVE is open!! Camp will run for 11 weeks, from June 17th - August 30th! More information about themes weeks and registration can be found here: Summer Camp STRIVE! Don't miss out, it's going to be a lot of fun!
ID: blue and gray flyer with program information in the center and the Camp STRIVE logo on the bottom, middle. There are three pictures on the left side, the top one is a camper sitting outside giving two peace signs, the middle picture is a group of pictures outside at a trail head, and the bottom is three campers smiling.
Camp STRIVE is a day-camp experience for campers between the ages of 11-24. Camp STRIVE is held every school vacation (Winter, February, and April) as well as for the full summer. For more information about Camp STRIVE, contact Alex Woodhouse at awoodhouse@pslstrive.org.
Tweens
April was a great time in Tweens! OT students from UNE joined us for the first two in weeks in month and we did some movement activity stations and tie dye! We also celebrated Spring with a Spring Fling and made our own ice cream! Yum!
ID: Two tweens walking
ID: Tween dancing with adult
ID: Tween walking toward the camera
May is shaping up to be another great month in Tweens! Check out the flyer below for some fun activities - as a reminder, there is no Tweens on May 17th as we will be hosting STRIVE Rocks!
ID: light purple background with butterflies in the bottom left. There are two flowers in the top left and a bee in the top right.
Tweens is a safe and fun environment to build new friendships and learn new skills for folks 11-14 years old. We run every Friday from 3:30-5:30pm. We have a scheduled activity each week, with free time built in to maximize socialization. For more information about STRIVE Tweens, contact Alex at awoodhouse@pslstrive.org.
April STRIVE Night was a blast! We hosted STRIVE Idol and celebrated the change of seasons with a Spring Fling party!
ID: participant smiling with a cardboard Justin Bieber
ID: participant holding a microphone
STRIVE Night has another fun month coming up in May! Our Advisory Board has been working hard to plan fun events - check out the schedule below! As a reminder, there will be no STRIVE Night on Friday, May 17th - we hope you'll join us for STRIVE Rocks though!
ID: light blue background with yellow and green sunflowers in the bottom right.
Friday Nights at STRIVE, fondly referred to as "STRIVE Night," is a relaxed but fun evening of socialization for 15-24 year olds. New members are always welcome, and your first night is free! STRIVE Night is Friday from 6-9pm, with at least one special "theme" night happening each month. For more information, contact Alex at awoodhouse@pslstrive.org.
Our next get together will be on May 2nd! As always there will be a delicious meal, competitive bingo, and a great time with friends! You don't want to miss it! Save the date for our June social as well - June 6th!
ID: purple background with white square in the middle. There are multi colored flowers in the bottom left and top right.
STRIVE 25 is a social event for folks 25 and older. It currently runs in-person on the first Thursday of every month from 6-8pm For more information on STRIVE 25, contact Whitney at wwildes@pslstrive.org or Alex at awoodhouse@pslstrive.org!
Join us for another STRIVE Senior Social, Tuesday, May 7th from 3-4:30pm!
STRIVE's Senior Social is a social event for individuals 55 and up. It takes place in-person on the first Tuesday of every month from 3-4:30pm. For more information on STRIVE Senior Social, contact Abby at abohlen@pslstrive.org!
Save the date for upcoming STRIVE fundraisers and events!
STRIVE Rocks 2024!
We told you all about STRIVE Rocks above, but there are so many other ways to be part of this exciting event- and not all involve staying up all night!Take a look at some of our needs below. Don't forget- STRIVE Rocks will take place from 8pm, Friday, May 17th until 8am, Saturday, May 18th!
ID: STRIVE Rocks flyer with information about ways to be involved in the event. The STRIVE Rocks logo is in the top corner and there are colorful blocks with opportunity information in them.
Volunteer for a STRIVE Rocks shift! Since our event is back in person, we have volunteer needs that we didn't have in past years. Email Whitney at wwildes@pslstrive.org to learn more about what is available!
Become a sponsor! See our available sponsorship opportunities HERE!
Share your talents! We're looking for event entertainment- bands, magicians, trivia hosts, special guests, interactive entertainment, and more!
Donate a prize! Our top fundraisers receive special prizes at the end of the event!
Provide food! One favorite of STRIVE Rocks is that there's great food and snacks all night long! Are you a restaurant owner or have a friend who owns a business? We're looking for food that we can provide to our participants throughout the night.
Get others involved! STRIVE Rocks is a community event and we'd love to get as many people involved as possible-especially students! Do you have connections to a high school club, group, or team? We'd love to talk to them!
Help us reach our goal! It's not too early to make a financial contribution! Donate to STRIVE Rocks 2024 HERE!
Have other ways you'd like to be involved? We'd love to hear them!
Have more questions about STRIVE Rocks, or ideas of other ways you would like to be involved?
Contact STRIVE Program Director, Whitney Wildes, at wwildes@pslstrive.org or 207.774.6278!
This year marks the 25th anniversary of STRIVE and we couldn’t be more thrilled to share this momentous occasion with you! Throughout the year, stay tuned for a series of fun and engaging happenings designed to honor our 25 years of STRIVE! Towards the end of the year, we’re pulling out all the stops for a spectacular 25th-anniversary gala that promises to be an unforgettable evening! If you or someone you know is eager to contribute ideas and help shape this remarkable celebration, reach out to Whitney Wildes at wwildes@pslstrive.org to join the planning committee team. Stay tuned for updates, reminisce with us, and get ready celebrate 25 years of STRIVE!
ID: the original STRIVE logo is joined by a large 25 with confetti and star balloons.
STRIVE for 5: Foden Road 5K
It's not too early to register for the STRIVE for 5: Foden Road 5K! This year's event will take place Sunday, July 14th at 8:30am. The race will be here in the South Portland Foden Road neighborhood, but there's a virtual race option as well! Our registration fee is $25 on or before 04/14, so register now! Participants 12 and under are free with a registered adult. For more information, or to register early, visit our event website HERE!
ID: State of Maine in blue with the STRIVE for 5 2024 logo in the center.
STRIVE Shout Outs
Thank you to our April Donors!
Barry Dunlap- In Honor of Caleb Dunlap
Meredith Kerr
Laura Metivier
Pat and Karen Callaghan
James Evangelou
Roberta O’Brion
Roberta Barna
Minna Brewster
Samantha Leavitt
....and big thank you to all that have donated to our STRIVE Rocks event so far!
ID: STRIVE participant smiling and holding a colorful sign that says "thank you". Games in the STRIVE Teen Center are behind him.
Thank you for your generous support of STRIVE!
With your support, we are able to continue our work each and every day.
Staff Spotlight
ID: photo of staff spotlight, Anody. Anody is sitting in a car.
Meet Anody! Anody works in our Community Supports program! Anody says, "I like the activities we have here, such as playing basketball and cooking. It's really fun and creates a cool environment where we support each other. I am really happy to be a part of the team." Thanks Anody, we're grateful to have you!
Member Spotlight
Meet James! James is a 2nd year STRIVE U student and will be graduating next month. James' favorite thing about STRIVE U is working on meal prep. His favorite things to prep are tacos and chicken parm. James is looking forward to working at York's Wild Kingdom after graduation! Way to go, James!
ID: photo of member spotlight, James. James is smiling outside and is spreading a bag of dirt in a garden.
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy birthday to our STRIVE Members with a birthday in April!
ID: Colorful happy birthday candles on a chocolate cake
Kristen Tully
Niels Doughty
Jack Rosenblum
Blake Waterhouse
Mary Burke
Nick Watkins
Aphrodite Makrides
Alli Brooking
Madeleine Joyce
Bella Joyce
Damian Thress
Mary Burke
Molly Snowden
Sally Alexander
Lauren Chapman
Eric Hughes
Landon Rideout
Scotty Carignan
Maya Advani
General Announcements
Join Our Team!
We're Hiring!
ID: Hand with marker writing We Are HiringI
Are you, or someone you know in the market for a new job?
We're hiring for a number of positions!
We have full time, part time, and per diem opportunities available- including weekdays, evenings, and weekends!
We are also offering a $1,750 sign on bonus (after 30 days of successful employment) plus an additional $250 bonus for those that are already DSP, MHRT, or CRMA certified!
ID: Flyer with information about upcoming Career Fair. There's also pictures of staff and participants.
PSL Services STRIVE will also be holding a Career Fair Wednesday, May 1st! The fair will be at our Central Office and will run from 12pm-6pm. Come learn more about our opportunities. On-the-spot interviews will be given for appropriate candidates!
Become a Community Partner
ID: Image of business partners discussing at a meeting table
Did you know we host a free monthly networking group for our local community? The STRIVE Business to Business Networking Group is just one way we work to be a mutually beneficial partner, with the hope of expanding our partnerships with local businesses.
We are looking to grow! The group meets virtually on the last Wednesday the month at 12pm . Contact Pete or Whitney to find out more about joining us this month!
Shop STRIVE!
We have an online store to purchase all your STRIVE swag needs! Take a look at all the shop has to offer! There are so many items to choose from AND you can customize any item by choosing the color and STRIVE logo that you want. Happy shopping!
ID: white background with two rows of swag. Top row from left to right is a gray backpack with the STRIVE WorldWIDE logo, a black mug with the STRIVECast logo, a white t-shirt with the STRIVE logo, and a blue baseball hat with a STRIVE U logo. Bottom row from left to right is a blue tote bag with a PSL Services/STRIVE logo, a gray sweatshirt with a STRIVE U logo, and a white travel mug with a STRIVE logo.
Listen to the STRIVECast
ID: STRIVECast flyer with images of our two hosts and sound and video engineer.
The STRIVECast is a podcast brought to you by the team at PSL Services/STRIVE in South Portland, Maine — bringing you engaging, hilarious, and thoughtful conversation through one interview week by week. Co-Hosted by two young men with Down Syndrome, the STRIVECast aims to change the voices we typically hear on the radio and through podcasts, as well as to provide meaningful dialogues with all sorts of public figures in our world. We are very proud to be both hosted, produced AND edited by people with disabilities! Like what you hear? Shoot us an email at strivecast@pslstrive.org!
Have questions or comments about any of our programs and events?
Email info@pslstrive.org to update your address or speak to a STRIVE staff member!
New members: You will be asked to complete an updated information form upon your arrival to Tweens, STRIVE Night or STRIVE 25. Want to get a head start? Visit https://www.pslstrive.org/membershipform to submit your membership form today!
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