Our newsletter still has all of the great STRIVE information you love to read, just in a different format! Scroll below to find:
Program Updates
STRIVE U
TOPS
STRIVE WorldWIDE
STRIVE Bayside
ACTIVE/WAVES
STRIVE Studios
Wednesday Night Ed
Camp STRIVE
Tweens
STRIVE Night
STRIVE 25
Events
STRIVE Rocks 2024
3 Points for STRIVE
STRIVE's 25th Anniversary
STRIVE Shout Outs
Monthly Donors
Staff Spotlight
Member Spotlight
Birthdays
General Announcements
We're Hiring!
STRIVE Business to Business Networking Group
STRIVE Shop
The STRIVECast
We hope you like what you see! Have other things you wish were in our monthly newsletter? Let us know at HERE!
Program Updates
Here's what's happening in our programs!
STRIVE U
STRIVE U hosted Winter Social event the first weekend of January where students planned games, used a photobooth and gave speeches about what they loved about STRIVE U and what their futures hold. Both potential students, alumni and current students spent quality time together and had a lot of fun! Since SMCC was closed for winter break until mid-January, students were able to spend time doing other types of learning and experiencing new things during their usual learning group time. Students went to Portland Yoga Project and had a morning of yoga and meditation. Students also created vision boards for 2024, had the opportunity to practice their around the house skills during fix-it stations and had a scavenger hunt at Payson Park.
ID: four STRIVE U students doing yoga
ID: students and staff doing yoga
ID: STRIVE U student standing up holding a piece of paper
ID: STRIVE U student standing up in front of an audience
ID: STRIVE U student standing up holding a piece of paper speaking to an auidence
ID: Two STRIVE U students and a staff member holding up photobooth props
ID: Two STRIVE U students and two staff members holding up photobooth props
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.
This month in TOPS, our students are focusing on more exposure to winter/indoor leisure activities! Students have weekly leisure groups where they plan what they want to do now that they're used to the area. This supports students to advocate for activities they like and make decisions with a peer group. We've spent time at the community center using their basketball court, pool and walking track. Students are exploring new forms of art, including photography, beading and diamond art. Students are shopping for their independent food after planning what to buy, either for snack foods to keep on hand or for their individual lunch that they make here during the day. Students are taking weekly employment workshops to dig deeper into employment that suites their preferences. This month was also the start of our shadow sessions, where interested students come in for a session and join our class. It's always fun to introduce new students to our program!
ID: TOPS student vacuuming a large carpet.
ID: TOPS student standing outside in the snow. He is smiling and giving a thumbs up.
ID: TOPS student playing basketball on an inside court. She is getting ready to throw the ball into the net.
ID: TOPS student walking along the road outside. There is snow on the ground.
ID: TOPS students doing work at a long table.
ID: TOPS student working at a table.
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.
Join us for a fully Online Educational Experience! Learn from a variety of courses throughout the year 2024! Our second term of the year begins the week of February 19th, 2024.
ID: Image of a laptop with information about SWW courses. There's also icons of a calendar, a person holding a weight over their head, a yellow lightbulb, and two heads with conversation bubbles.
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.
The first month of 2024 has flown by here at Bayside! We’ve been busy with lots of fun activities like art and danceability at STRIVE Studios, basketball at The Point Community Center, visiting the Portland Art Museum, and learning new things at the Osher Map Library at USM! Speaking of learning, we have really been working on our money math skills this month. Using a cash register, we have been able to work on our budgeting skills like adding and subtracting change while making it fun! With winter in full swing, we have also been utilizing our public transportation options by taking the bus outside of the city for navigation days. Bus 7 to the Falmouth Walmart is a favorite route to take. This month we were able to look at all the new Valentine’s Day decorations there and it made us excited to celebrate!
ID: 3 Bayside Participants sitting on the bus. They are smiling and have on winter clothing (hat and jackets).
ID: 2 Bayside participants standing in the. Between them is a counter with a cash register. They are shaking hands over the register.
ID: Group of Bayside participants at the museum. They are standing together and smiling. There is a large statue behind them and a display case next to them.
For more information on Bayside, please contact Community Support Program Director, Veerle Pottie, at vpottie@pslstrive.org.
ACTIVE: This month we have been getting outside to enjoy the snow! We could be found snowshoeing around memorial park, ice skating at Falmouth Family Ice Arena, and sledding in the Greater Portland area. Getting outside and enjoying the snow has been so important has been really great for our minds and bodies, and we have really enjoyed trying out new winter activities.
WAVES: This month we enjoyed another amazing Nature Presentation with Sydney, a park ranger in South Portland. Sydney spoke with us about Nature Narratives, where she spoke with us all about botanical folktales from around the world. We have really enjoyed our presentations with Sydney and have learned about predicting the weather, creep creatures, foraging, bird watching, and more! We really enjoy seeing Sydney when we are out and about at different parks in South Portland.
ID: 2 ACTIVE participants in the snow. They have snow shoes and winter jackets on.
ID: WAVES participant standing with park ranger. They are inside and are holding an animal fur.
For more information on ACTIVE or WAVES, please contact Community Support Program Director, Veerle Pottie, at vpottie@pslstrive.org.
After the holiday break STRIVE Studios is back in action! We have a new photography group with a special guest helping teach our participants how to stage their own photos. We now have a dedicated ceramics room complete with some new wheels. Our marketing group will soon be shifting their focus to making the yearbook. Looking forward to another month of art!
ID: A group of participants sitting at a table doing an art project. There's lots of colorful tissue paper and items on the table in front of them.
ID: STRIVE Participant wearing an apron and holding a paint brush. There's colorful walls and artwork behind him.
For more information on STRIVE Studios, please contact Community Support Program Director, Veerle Pottie, at vpottie@pslstrive.org.
Calling all chefs! Our February Wednesday Night Ed Series is all about cooking and food safety! In this series, we will go over cooking tips and techniques and ways to be safe in the kitchen! Students will also have the opportunity to cook some of their own recipes! As a reminder, students must register before the first class! Message us here with questions!
ID: there is an orange cutting board with program information in the middle. Around the outside of the cutting board are images of a red tomato, green lettuce, white mushroom, white onion, purple garlic, and green lines.
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.
Camp STRIVE will be running Tuesday - Friday the week of February Break! We are offering full day sessions, 9am-5pm, for $70 a day and REGISTRATION IS OPEN! Check out the schedule and then click the button below to register!
ID: white background with purple, pink, red, and yellow color splotches. There are images two blue snowflakes. black snowshoes, black and white bowling pins and ball, paint palette, and slime blob
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 had a wonderful January! We got into the winter spirit with some snowflake art and igloo building, but our favorite activity was slime!
ID: Tween making pink slime
ID: Tweens sitting at a table with paper bowls in front of them
ID: Tween pulling on blue slime
Our tweens program has some exciting plans for February! This month, we will have special guest's from UNE's Department of Occupational Therapy leading activities! Check out our website for each week's activity!
ID: there are color blobs of red, yellow, blue and pink in the top left corner and along the bottom. On the top right and bottom right, there are wavy black lines. Tweens program information is in the center in a white rectangle.
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.
STRIVE Night enjoyed a minute to win it winter party and duet karaoke in January!
ID: two participants standing and smiling. One is holding a microphone
ID: Two participants singing karaoke
ID: participant and volunteer signing karaoke into a microphone
STRIVE Night has two theme nights coming up in February! Join us on February 9th for a Mardi Gras celebration and on February 16th for a Valentine's Day party!
ID: groovy looking flyer with a blend of blue, white, pink, and purple colors. There are four red hearts in the bottom right and feathers in purple, green, and yellow in the middle left.
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.
Exciting news in our STRIVE 25 program - we elected a new advisory board! All members had the chance to run and vote on the board, congratulations to those who were elected!
ID: two STRIVE 25 participants wearing "I voted" stickers. One participant is holding up a peace sign.
ID: STRIVE 25 participant wearing an "I voted" sticker and smiling
ID: two STRIVE 25 participants wearing "I voted" stickers on their foreheads and holding up peace signs
Our next meeting will be on February 1st! Join us as we celebrate Valentine's Day early! As always there will be a delicious meal, competitive bingo, and a great time with friends!
ID: there is a white rectangle in the center with program information about STIRVE 25. Around the outside of the rectangle are pink, purple, and blue tie-dyed colors.
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!
Save the date for upcoming STRIVE fundraisers and events!
STRIVE Rocks 2024!
STRIVE Rocks is an event that our whole community looks forward to and this year is no different. This year’s STRIVE Rocks is extra special for a number of reasons; not only will it will be our 20th year of holding our all-night dance marathon but it will be our first STRIVE Rocks back in person since 2019!
We are so excited to go back to our roots and hold STRIVE Rocks 2024 not only in-person but also in a comfortable and safe setting– our STRIVE building on Foden Road. 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! PLUS, this year we're going to have some new entertainment and activities throughout the night...stay tuned to hear what some of them will be! Whether you are returning or a new recruit, we are glad to have you as we gear up to make a difference in the lives of over 1,400 young adults with intellectual disabilities from across our communities.
It's not too early to get in on the fun! 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! • Raise $100 or more and you'll get a STRIVE Rocks T-Shirt! • Raise $250, $500 or $1,000 (or more), to become a STRIVE Rocks All Star/VIP/MVP and get even more special STRIVE gear!
On behalf of the entire STRIVE Rocks Committee, we hope that you are just as excited about STRIVE Rocks 2024 as we are. Together, we can make this the best year for STRIVE yet! We’re here to help you every step of the way.
Have more questions about STRIVE Rocks, or ideas of other ways you would like to be involved?
Are you or a business you know interested in giving back to the community? We're looking for event sponsors and volunteers! We have a number of opportunities. Contact STRIVE Program Director, Whitney Wildes, at wwildes@pslstrive.org or 207.774.6278!
ID: STRIVE Rocks flyer with information about the event. In the center is a colorful STRIVE Rocks logo that includes a disco ball.
3 Points For STRIVE
We're teamed up with our friends at the Maine Celtics and Hammond Lumber for another season of 3 Points for STRIVE! Each time the Maine Celtics score a 3-pointer at a home game this season, Hammond Lumber will donate $50 to STRIVE! You can get involvedby making your own 3-Point pledge. Visit our website Contact STRIVE Program Director, Whitney Wildes at wwildes@pslstrive.org for more information!
ID: Flyer with information about 3 Points for STRIVE. there is an image of a basketball going into a net at the top of the flyer and logos for Hammond Lumber Company, Maine Celtics and STRIVE at the bottom of the flyer. There are images of black and white basketballs around the edges of the flyer.
STRIVE Turns 25!
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 Shout Outs
Thank you to our January Donors!
Wendy Bush
Richard & Bridget Whiting
Barry Dunlap- In Honor of Caleb Dunlap
L. Scott & Melanie Cook
MEMIC
Sharon Fuller- In Memory of Millie Knight
Knights of Columbus maine State Council
Samantha Leavitt
Roberta O’Brion
John Tatosky
Robert Barna- In Honor of Methos Barna
Gina DiBella- In Memory of Millie Knight
Katie & Keith Larson- In Memory of Millie Knight
Joseph Madore
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, Matt. Matt is standing outside, in front of water and green trees.
Meet Matt! Matt works in our TOPS and STIRVE U programs. Matt's favorite thing about STRIVE is "the people. Before starting this job, I'd never had a coworker bake me cookies for my birthday or offer me an actual cut-rate deal on a side-hustle. I'd never had HR connect me to local affordable housing groups, or had so many organic, warm greetings on my first day of orientation. It is something rather special to feel with confidence that not only those you expect to see in your day-to-day, but also those you may meet for the first time, are all going to be caring, genuine individuals who move through their day with intentionality. It is refreshing. " Thanks, Matt, we're grateful to have you!
Member Spotlight
Meet Niko! Niko is from Gorham and attends TOPS, STRIVE Night and Camp STRIVE. He likes grocery shopping for his lunch food, taking pictures of elevators and recently traveled to Germany with his family. Niko's favorite thing about STRIVE is dancing at STRIVE Night.
ID: photo of member spotlight, Niko. He is at the grocery putting an apple onto a scale.
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy birthday to our STRIVE Members with a birthday in February!
ID: Colorful happy birthday candles on a chocolate cake
Kevin Banks
Paris Nalevansky
Justin Browne
Sean Lewis
Nick Hubel
Andrew Deschambault
Nate Hall
Andrew Michaud
Zachary Krohn
Jessica Luciano
Nick Cusano
Arianna Bulger
Caleb Hanmer
Lucy Pedersen
Chris Allegri
Zachary O'Brion
Brandon Pierce
Harrison Snyder
Dennis Dorey Jr.
Emma Campbell
Abe Gilmore
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 or MHRT certified!
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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