ID: Picture of STRIVE Rocks participants holding up posters with numbers (our grand total raised at STRIVE Rocks)
THANK YOU to everyone who supported STRIVE Rocks 2024! Whether you participated, volunteered, donated or more, YOU helped us raise over $105,000 for STRIVE programs! We couldn't have done it without you- thank you!
ID: Picture of participants dancing at STRIVE Rocks.
ID: STRIVE Rocks participant playing glow mini golf
ID: STRIVE Rocks Participant holding up a caricature drawing of herself.
ID: 2 STRIVE Rocks participants smiling and wearing the STRIVE Spirit Sashes
ID: STRIVE Rocks participant smiling and hugging Slugger.
ID: STRIVE Rocks participant smiling and holding up a VIP Lanyard
Program Updates
Here's what's happening in our programs!
STRIVE U
STRIVE U is celebrating the success of our second-year students who graduated from Southern Maine Community College on May 12th! These eight students have worked very hard over the past 2 years completing the courses required to complete the STRIVE U certificate program. Congratulations graduates!
All students are enjoying a break from classes for the summer and are using the extra time to get out and explore the community more. Students recently visited Jewell Falls in Portland and took an extended trip to Old Orchard Beach for the day.
We look forward to celebrating all the accomplishments of our second-year students this month as they get ready to graduate from the program at the end of the month!
ID: STRIVE U studnets standing outside of an apartment building smiling. They are wearing black graduation caps and gowns.
ID: STRIVE U student at the civic center holding a STRIVE U flag.
ID: STRIVE U students and and SMCC staff standing together smiling.
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.
Students have been gearing up for their graduation ceremony on 5/30! Soon to be graduates have written and practiced their speeches-- even stepping up to the podium at Foden for a preview of what it'll feel like to be up in front of a crowd. Graduating students have also toured adult programs like ACTIVE and Bayside to learn about their options after graduation. When not preparing for graduation, students have visited trails, continued to volunteer at Preble Street, the MSSPA and RMHC in addition to continuing to learn topics of interest in the classroom like dating and attraction. There have also been plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the nice weather including heading to the Old Port waterfront to see a cruise ship, getting out to play basketball, walking on the beach, and grabbing some boba drinks in Downtown Portland! Currently, everyone is prepping for a graduation party on Thursday! Cooking groups will be making goodies for all to enjoy as part of celebrating graduates send off.
ID: TOPS students and staff standoing outside smiling. They are on the bottom of cement stairs with water behind them.
ID: TOPS students and staff outside on a pier. The ocean, blue sky and clouds are in the background.
ID: 2 TOPS students sitting outside on a large swing. There are buildings behind them.
ID: TOPS Students practicing graduation speeches. Students are sitting down and one student is standing at a podium.
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 we have really worked on getting out and about in the community. Participants have been enjoying riding the bus to their desired destination and then navigating their way back through the city by foot. Participants at Bayside have also enjoyed new Adventure Day activities like walking at Payson Park, playing bocce ball at Riverbank Park, and working on their swings at the Pleasant Hill Driving Range. Participants have continued discussing kitchen safety and cooking skills during our lesson time and we will be moving onto personal safety and healthy boundaries next month!
ID: Bayside participants in the kitchen making food.
ID: Bayside participant golfing with water in the background.
This month we are also saying goodbye to one of our staff, Michelle.
Michelle will continue to be involved with STRIVE as she is now joining the STRIVE WorldWide team!
ID: Group of STRIVE Bayside participants and staff grouped together outside, smiling and givnig a thumbs up.
For more information on Bayside, please contact Community Support Program Director, Veerle Pottie, at vpottie@pslstrive.org.
ACTIVE: Last month we went into downtown Portland to do a LabVenture program with the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. This program was a hands-on, interactive investigation of the changing in the Gulf of Maine ecosystem. We got to check out different equipment that Gulf of Maine scientists use and got up-close looks at different specimens through microscopes. We even had the opportunity to hold lobsters!
WAVES: Last month we started up our WAVES swimming group at the South Portland Community Center. Swimming has been a great way for WAVES participants to get exercise and maintain healthy minds and bodies. While there, we swim laps, play different pool games, and socialize with other seniors and swimmers.
ID: ACTIVE participant smiling and holding a lobster.
ID: WAVES participant smiling and swimming.
For more information on ACTIVE or WAVES, please contact Community Support Program Director, Veerle Pottie, at vpottie@pslstrive.org.
Strive Studios has been hard at work gearing up for our first show here at the studios on June 27th! (open 11:00am to 8:00pm). Our photography group has been taking advantage of the warmer weather and we have started working with Opera Maine to make props for their upcoming performance of Aida. We hope everyone gets a chance to come by and see all our hard work here at the end of the month!
ID: STRIVE Studios participant drawing on an ipad.
ID: STRIVE Studios participants outside on a wooden path smiling.
For more information on STRIVE Studios, please contact Community Support Program Director, Veerle Pottie, at vpottie@pslstrive.org.
Our June Wednesday Night Ed Series is all about summer safety! In this series, we will talk about different tips and tricks to stay safe and healthy in the summer heat! We will cover the weather skin safety, hydration, personal hygiene, and more! There will be no class on Wednesday, June 19th ast STRIVE is closed that day.
ID: light pink background with banner flags on the top left and a sun hat with sunglasses on the top right. Along the bottom is an ocean wave, flip flops, shells, and a beach ball.
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.
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! Check out our weekly themes below as well!
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.
ID: the eleven theme weeks with a sun in the top left and a tree in the bottom right. There is also a blue pom pom, planet, star, gears, beach ball, gold medal, tent, disco ball, cow, ice cream cone and globe.
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
We had a great time in May Tweens! We got our hands dirty and made Oobleck, snacked on pizza and homemade dirt cups, sang karaoke and made our own music. Thanks to everyone who joined us!
ID: two tweens holding their homemade dirt cups
ID: tween smiling at the camera making a dirt cup
June is shaping up to be another great month in Tweens! Check out the flyer below for some fun activities!
ID: white background with green leaves and different colored spirals around the outside. Program information is in the middle.
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.
May STRIVE Night was a blast! We sang lots of karaoke and had some great rounds of Uno! We also hosted our annual STRIVE Night Prom - check out our July newsletter or social media for pictures!
ID:two participant smiling wearing purple and smiling
ID: two participants playing uno
STRIVE Night has another fun month coming up in June! Stay tuned for more information about our June theme night - planned by our advisory board!
ID: blue, pink, and yellow background with green leaves and a sun in the top middle.
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 June 6th - a STRIVE 25 talent show! You don't want to miss it! Save the date for our July social as well - July 11th!
ID: blue background with blue, pink, and white leaves in all four corners. There is a pair of sunglasses in the middle.
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, June 4th 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 for 5: Foden Road 5K
Save the date for this year's 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 $30 until 07/12 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 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, we'll be having a number of fun and engaging happenings designed to honor our 25 years of STRIVE! Stay tuned for updates, reminisce with us, and get ready celebrate 25 years of STRIVE! Questions? Email Whitney at wwildes@pslstrive.org.
ID: the original STRIVE logo is joined by a large 25 with confetti and star balloons.
STRIVE Shout Outs
Thank you to our May Donors!
Lois Dennison- In Honor of Archie Dennison
Larry and Mary Ann Constanzer
Rita Ann Smith- In Honor of JJ Sarapas
William Berry
Christopher and Nancy Pierce
James Kilkenny- In Honor of Michael Pellozi
Frederic and Doreen Thompson
Bruce McFarland- In Honor of Michael Spadinger
Kurt and Kelly Stokes
Bilodeau Drywall Corp.
Michael and Maryanne Tranfaglia
Jeanne Fernald- In Memory of Lindsey Allard
The Watson Family- In Memory of Bill Hughes
Cynthia and Scott Zwicker- In Honor of Sarah Zwicker
Glen and Jean Ramsay- In Honor of Nick Thompson
Gregory and Lorraine Cyr
David Ferland
Janet and Michael Collins
Thomas and Hillary Egan
John and Lynda Wilson
Janet Fillmore
Kelly and Anthony Dell'aquila- In Memory of Paul Barnes
Barry Dunlap- In Honor of Caleb Dunlap
Edmund McCann
Bonita Betters-Reed and Gary Reed
Richard and Dianne Baietti
Kevin Foley and Lea Tunney- In Memory of Viola Tunney
Paul Daniels
Lisa Gorman
Alan Beagle and Linda Beagle- In Honor of Kathleen Shevenell
David and Catherine Crockett
Stephanie Cooper Scherr and William Scherr
Eric and Jeanne Lazo-Wasem
Allan McHale
Lori Knack
Edmund Beaulieu
Frederick and Patricia Fowler
Jeffrey and Kristina Scribner
Nancy Rallis- In Memory of Jackie Petrillo
Beth Barnes and John Crocitto- In Memory of Jackie Petrillo
Stephen Hilton Painting
Dawn and Gerrit Groen - In Honor of JJ Sarapas
Raymond and Cindy Stuchbury
Pat and Karen Callaghan
James Evangelou
Minna Brewster
Tom Brewster
Nancy and Stephen Schleyer – In Honor of Mary Burke
Robert Barna- In Honor of Methos Barna
Bob and Elaine Umlauf- In Memory of Jackie Petrillo
Sarah Hall
The Ryan Family
Samantha Leavitt
Sarah Hall- In Memory of Jackie Petrillo
Christine Julian- In Memory of Jackie Petrillo
Susan Saffer- In Memory of Jackie Petrillo
Jay and Nancy Hewett
Wendy Greenlaw- In Honor of Emily B
....and big thank you to everyone that 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 Max and Brynn standing outside at the STRIVE sign
Meet Max and Brynn! Max and Brynn are both seniors at Cheverus. Both participated in their school's May Arrupe project, a month long volunteer opportunity at a local community site. Max and Brynn worked with our community supports program and also helped the events team prepare for STRIVE Rocks. We felt fortunate to be a small part of Max and Brynn's senior year experience. Thank you for all you did, Max and Brynn- you are welcome at STRIVE any time!!
Member Spotlight
This month we wanted to congratulate all of our wonderful TOPS graduates! They've all worked incredibly hard and we can't wait to see what they do next! Congratulations, grads!
ID: ten TOPS graduates holding up their certificates in front of a sign that says "congratulations!"
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy birthday to our STRIVE Members with a birthday in June!
Morgan Adams
Alexander Doyer
Greta Anderson
Courtney Houde
Roberta Anderson
Danielle Doherty
Charlie Saffian
Mary Leahy
Joshua Small
Harrison Holmes
Samantha Gauthier
Kyle Sargent
Hannah Holland
Niko Gagne
Colby Schmid
ID: Colorful happy birthday candles on a chocolate cake
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: 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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