We're excited to share the initial details about STRIVE Rocks 2025! This year’s STRIVE Rocks is extra special as we are going back to where it all began - Sullivan Gym at USM's Portland Campus!
STRIVE Rocks 2025 will take place from 8pm Friday, May 16th-8am, Saturday, May 17th at Sullivan Gym at USM's Portland Campus (66 Falmouth Street, 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/MVP/VIP 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 2025 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, Alex Woodhouse, at awoodhouse@pslstrive.org or 207.774.6278!
ID: blue background with two blue fireworks in the top corners. The STRIVE Rocks logo is in the center.
PROGRAMS
STRIVE U
SMCC Classes Have Begun! Classes at SMCC have officially started back up for the spring semester! Seeing everyone excited to be back on campus has been great. The first years are taking a hands-on culinary class while the second years are taking an interpersonal- -communications course. This month the students had the opportunity to attend a Maine Mariners Game.A group of students attended a thrilling Maine Mariners hockey game! It was an awesome night filled with action-packed moments and plenty of excitement!
Students also had the opportunity to take a trip to Freeport, traveling by Amtrak train! Many learned that the train is a quick and convenient way to get to Freeport. It was a fun and scenic way to explore the area!
ID: Two STRIVE U students in the stands of a hockey arena with the rink in the background. They are both wearing black and gold jerseys.
ID: STRIVE U students and staff sitting on a few rows of an Amtrak train.
ID: four STRIVE U students sitting on a train
ID: 2 STRIVE U students and a staff member standing in a hallway smiling in front of a blue background.
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.
January has been filled with a variety of activities at TOPS. We continue to get out into the community with our volunteer opportunities at Preble Street, Maine State Society for Protected Animals (MSSPA), and Ronald McDonald Charity House (RMCH). Despite the cold weather, students navigate the harsh conditions by learning how to dress for winter and safely walk on the uneven terrain. Students enjoy making a difference and helping others by making sandwiches and putting away food at Preble Street, washing buckets for the horses at MSSPA and cleaning the common areas at RMCH.
This month students continue to learned how to cook a variety of foods. Students have learned to season and make steak strips in an electric skillet, make pizza from scratch, and make eggs in a variety of different ways. Additionally more students are learning about budgeting and meal planning and are excited to plan, grocery shop and prepare small meals for themselves at TOPS. This month we hosted the American Red Cross for two different workshops, during which students learned about fire safety and hands-only CPR skills. Students were very engaged and asked many relevant questions. In turn, students have been encouraged to practice presentation skills at the front of the room, helping to prepare them for their own speeches they will give at their graduations or in other academic or career settings.
Some highlights this month have included taking advantage of the free entry to the Portland Museum of Art for our students’ age group, learning about the history of local Native American tribes and their creation and use of birch bark canoes, as well as practicing how to read about, view and discuss artwork. Another activity that students have really enjoyed trying this month has been playing squash at the newly-renovated Portland Community Squash club. Through this kind of community involvement, students are learning valuable life lessons on how to stay active and fit, meet new people and make new friends, and learn new skills helping them to become more flexible thinkers.
ID: student practicing chest compressions for CPR on a table
ID: TOPS student holding pan and spatula
ID: Two TOPS students at the art museum standing in front of a painting
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.
-Our courses have self-paced curriculum to learn on your own, too!
- Our courses are dynamic and emphasize essential independent living skills for neurodiverse learners
- Enjoy the thrill of online learning with fellow peers!
- We have scholarships for Maine residents
ID: February term schedule with class dates, times, topics, and descriptions.
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.
As we begin the new year at Bayside, we're excited about the possibilities ahead. Our curriculum is sparking meaningful conversations on topics like safety, healthy relationships, money management, decision-making, and the impact of our choices. We're also engaging in cooking lessons, where we explore recipes, measurements, and utensils. After learning the steps, we come together to make and enjoy the fruits of our labor—this month, we're baking banana bread!
On our walks to the store, we've witnessed rushing waters from the recent rainfall emerging from the frozen surface and crashing down the rocks of the waterfall. The local ice-skating pond, just around the corner, remains frozen with temperatures staying below freezing, allowing us to safely shuffle across the ice.
ID: Bayside participants on a walk next to a body of water.
ID: STRIVE Bayside participant sitting on a blue LLBean bench. There are trees behind him.
ID: Bayside participants on a walk next to a body of water.
ID: STRIVE Bayside participants in the kitchen baking.
For more information on Bayside, please contact Community Support Program Director, Veerle Pottie, at vpottie@pslstrive.org.
WAVES: This month we finished up some awesome artwork at STRIVE Studios. Going to STRIVE Studios gives us a great opportunity to get creative and to try new things. Two STRIVE participants finished a big painting of Portland Headlight that they had been working on for over a month! The painting is now displayed in the WAVES room at Foden Rd.
ACTIVE: This month we have been getting exercise by going bowling! Bowling is a great way to get exercise indoors during the cold winter months. We really enjoy visiting Westport Bowling, Big 20 Bowling, and Spare Time. We just started our yearly bowling league, so we are now keeping track of all of our scores. We will be celebrating the end of our Bowling League in May!
ID: Two participants and a staff holding bowling balls
ID: 2 WAVES participants smiling In front of a painting of a lighthouse
For more information on ACTIVE or WAVES, please contact Community Support Program Director, Veerle Pottie, at vpottie@pslstrive.org.
This month at STRIVE Studios, we’ve been experimenting with mixed media projects. During our CMCA lessons, we made artwork using a variety of materials, including paper, fabric, paint, and anything else we could get our hands on. Our ceramics groups have been making sculptures and working at our pottery wheel, making bowls, trinket dishes, and other projects. Once these projects are baked in our kiln, we will be able to start the glazing process! We’ve been practicing good studio habits by taking the time to clean our wheels and tools once we’re finished.
ID: Participants at a table working on art projects
ID: Figure made out of clay
ID: 2 Participants looking at the pottery wheel
For more information on STRIVE Studios, please contact Community Support Program Director, Veerle Pottie, at vpottie@pslstrive.org.
Our social skills and communication series will continue through the month of February but check out the schedule below and save the date for some of our upcoming series!
ID: blue background with two spotlights in the top corners. There are stars on either side and the STRIVE logo is in the bottom left.
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-$50, depending on the series' length. For more information or for your link to join class, contact Alex at awoodhouse@pslstrive.org.
We'll be offering a February Break Camp STRIVE again this year! Registration is open and is first come first served! Check out the schedule below and then click here for more information and to register!
ID: blue flyer with snow falling at the top. There are red berries along the bottom and trees in the center.
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 Ash Bahi at abahi@pslstrive.org.
Tweens
We had a great January in Tweens! We had some special guests join us this past month who led us through some fun activities. Magician Phil Smith joined for some magic and mysteries and then we also had a librarian from South Portland take us through some fun, book themed crafts!
ID: Tweens sitting at a table with staff standing in the background. The tween in the forefront is holding a metal ring.
ID: Tween standing up and performing a magic trick at a table
We are excited to welcome back students from UNE's OT department to Tweens this winter and spring! For the next few months, they will lead us through some great and fun activities. We can't wait!
ID: blue background with falling snow. At the bottom are two trees, mountains, and two penguins wearing hats.
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 Ash Bahi at abahi@pslstrive.org.
Our January theme night was a SnowBall Formal! STRIVE members came dressed to impress and enjoyed a night of fun and dancing! Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make this night so special!
ID: participant giving a thumbs up while sitting at a table with a plate of pasta
ID: five participants sitting at a table smiling at the camera
ID: participant standing and singing into a microphone
STRIVE Night has two theme nights coming up in February! Join us on February 7th for a pre-Super Bowl party and then on February 14th for a Valentine's Day bash!
ID: pink background with various graphics around the outside. Graphics include a string of red and pink hearts, a tic tac toe board, a radio, a disco ball, a speaker, candy, a flag banner, and a disco heart.
Friday Night 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 Ash Bahi at abahi@pslstrive.org.
During our next STRIVE 25, we will be electing our new advisory board! We hope to see you on February 6th! Save the date for our March STRIVE 25 while you're at it - Thursday, March 6th!
ID: dark blue background with falling snow. At the bottom are snow covered trees.
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!
Our next senior social is Tuesday, February 4th! We hope to see you there!
ID: light blue flyer with information about the February Senior Social. There is a blue coffee cup with a smiley face, arms and legs in the cetner of the flyer.
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!
Cheer on your favorite basketball team while supporting STRIVE at the same time! The Maine Celtics and Hammond Lumber Company are teaming up again for 3-Points for STRIVE! For every 3-Pointer made at home, Hammond Lumber will donate $50 to STRIVE. Make your own pledge today! Thank you to Hammond Lumber and the Maine Celtics for supporting STRIVE again this winter!
ID: Photo of a basketball hoop and basketball. There's also the logos for STRIVE, Maine Celtics, and Hammond Lumber Company.
STRIVE Shout Outs
Thank you to our January Donors!
Wendy Bush
MEMIC
Nancy Perkins
Daniel Warren- In Honor of Charlie Mercer
Betty Heatley- In Memory of Tonami Hanna
Susan Monahan- In Memory of Tonami Hanna
Yuka Ogawa- In Memory of Tonami Hanna
Joanna Schaab- In Memory of Tonami Hanna
Richard Ross- In Memory of Tonami Hanna
Beatrice Griffin- In Memory of Scott Gervais
Alexandre Mavungo
Marijane Davock
Aqeel Alhashimi- In Honor of Mohammed Alhashimi
Roberta O’Brion
Shari Chaney
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 Ash, standing with the ancient Greek temple in the background
Meet Ash! Ash is a new staff member taking on the role of program & events coordinator. Ash is from England and loves football (soccer) his favorite team is Liverpool and he plays in a recreational co-ed league every week. Ash said “it’s been really fun getting to know everyone and learn more about what makes STRIVE so special, it’s given me a sense of community and I feel very welcomed. I’ve had a blast watching everyone having fun at STRIVE night, the games, the dancing, the art, the laughter. STRIVE night is whatever you want it to be, and I love that!” Ash said he’s looking forward to getting to know more people and seeing what the year brings! Thanks, Ash!
Member Spotlight
Meet Eben! Eben attends STRIVE 25, is a STRIVE U alumni, and is a big part of the STRIVE Rocks planning committee! Eben is an avid STRIVE Rocker and his favorite part of the event "is the music, food, activities, theme hours, and prizes!" Thanks, Eben, we can't wait to rock out with you on Friday, May 16th!
ID: photo of Eben - he is wearing a purple STRIVE Rocks shirt and is standing in a frame made to look like an Instgram photo.
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
Justin Browne
Nick Hubel
Zachary Krohn
Jessica Luciano
Nick Cusano
Arianna Bulger
Caleb Hanmer
Chris Allegri
Zachary O'Brion
Brandon Pierce
Harrison Snyder
Dennis Dorey Jr.
Emma Campbell
Abe Gilmore
Jon Keeley
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 $1,500 sign on bonus (after 60 days of successful employment and completed training) plus an additional $250 bonus for those that are already DSP, MHRT, or CRMA 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://pslstrive.org/strive-membership-form to submit your membership form today!
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