STRIVE Rocks 2024 is just around the corner!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!
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!
We hope you'll rock with us in May! Questions about the event? Contact Whitney at wwildes@pslstrive.org!
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 are back to classes at SMCC! First-year students are strengthening their cooking skills in a culinary class and second-year students are perfecting their public speaking skills in a communications class. Students have been beating the winter blues by getting out and about in the community- most recently they attended free puppy snuggles at a local hotel and caught a Maine Celtics basketball game. We look forward to continuing to get out and about in the community this month.
ID: f STRIVE U students sitting in the stands at a Maine Celtics game
ID: STRIVE U student standing with a small puppy in their arms
ID: STRIVE U students and staff standing outside with the Southern Maine Community College sign.
ID: STRIVE U students cooking in a kitchen.
ID: STRIVE U students cooking in a kitchen.
ID: Two STRIVE U students standing a smiling. There are two bowls of food they made on the counter in front of them.
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, TOPS welcomed a swarm of shadow students all eager to learn more about the program. Our current students welcomed the shadow students, providing much needed guidance and support. Throughout this, our students maintained their expected programming with weekly volunteer sites, leisure activities, exploring new wellness options and continuing their cooking curriculum. In addition to everyday exploration of our community, our groups participated in the 207 Day Scavenger Hunt in Portland, taking us all over downtown. February was a great month to explore friendships and our groups were able to talk through the importance of healthy relationships just in time for Valentine's day.
ID: TOPS students and staff sitting on red couches and talking.
ID: A group of TOPS students standing a smiling. They are standing on a wooden ramp with the ocean in the background.
ID: 2 TOPS students. One is holding a large water/sink hose and smiling.
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! Our next term of courses begins the week of April 1st, 2024. (No joke!)
ID: Image of a laptop with information about SWW courses. There's also icons of a small chef's hat with kitchen tooks, a person holding a weight over their head, 2 bandages making the shape of an X, 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.
Navigation has been a big focus this month at Bayside! For one outing, our group decided to take Bus 8 around the Portland Peninsula. We got off the bus at the Western Promenade Park and then navigated by foot all the way back to Bayside paying close attention to street names and landmarks along the way. We also walked around new exhibits at the Portland Art Museum. We are really looking forward to warmer days and new sights to see next month!
ID: Bayside participant sitting in front of a statue in a city square
ID: 3 Bayside Participants standing inside a museum in front of an art a sculpture
ID: Bayside participant outside sitting on a bench designed like a purple dinosaur
ID: Group of Bayside standing outside in front of a bus stop
For more information on Bayside, please contact Community Support Program Director, Veerle Pottie, at vpottie@pslstrive.org.
WAVES: This month we have been cooking up lots of fun recipes in our kitchen! Every week, WAVES groups pick a recipe using cook books or different websites. We practice meal planning by seeing what ingredients we have in our kitchen, making a shopping list, looking up prices, and budgeting our program wallets. We have really enjoyed making a variety of recipes such as spaghetti and meatballs, chop suey, pesto pasta, and more! It’s fun to try new things and to work on our different kitchen skills.
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: WAVES participants and staff cooking in the kitchen. They are standing with a counter between them.
ID: Action shot of ACTIVE participant bowling. There are bowling lanes and seats in the background.
For more information on ACTIVE or WAVES, please contact Community Support Program Director, Veerle Pottie, at vpottie@pslstrive.org.
The past month saw a Jungle Book themed photoshoot at the art studio. There are some new paper mache creations starting to take shape including an enormous wolf mask. There’s also a rumor that in the dance studio music therapy rocked out so hard that Robbie cracked his guitar! Looking forward to seeing what next month brings!
ID: A group of participants sitting at a table painting and color. 2 participants are looking at the camera and smiling.
ID: STRIVE Participant wearing wearing a large animal headpiece made of cardboard.
For more information on STRIVE Studios, please contact Community Support Program Director, Veerle Pottie, at vpottie@pslstrive.org.
Our March Wednesday Night Ed Series is all about money management! In this series, we will talk about budgeting, needs vs. wants, savings, and fraud prevention. Special guests from Norway Savings Bank will be leading these classes - we can't wait! As a reminder, students must register before the first class!
ID: the top of the flyer is blue and the bottom is green. There is an image of person putting a coin into a jar with two clouds behind them in the top middle.
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 had the best time over February break! Campers made French toast, visited the animals at Pineland Farms, took a trip to the Osher Map Library, went bowling, sang karaoke and so much more! Thanks to everyone who joined in on the fun!
We will be hosting an April break camp as well! Stay tuned for more info!
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
Tweens had a February to remember! Guests from UNE's OT department joined us and led some fun activities! We made Valentine's Day cookies and did an egg drop! We designed our own contraptions to keep an egg form breaking, and we were pretty successful :)
ID: Tween using a star cookie cutter to make cookies
ID: Tweens sitting at a table frosting cookies
ID: Tween smiling and holding up a plate with a green frosted cookie
Our tweens program has some exciting plans for March! 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.
February STRIVE Nights were so much fun! We had two theme nights this month, celebrating Mardi Gras and Valentine's Day! We always have the best time hanging out together!
ID: participant sitting and smiling
ID: three participants sitting together and smiling
STRIVE Night has another fun month of activities ready for March... all planned by our Advisory Board! We will be playing games, dancing our hearts out, singing karaoke, and celebrating St. Patrick's day with a green themed party!
ID: green background with dark and light green clovers along the bottom and two clovers on the top.
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.
We love the first Thursday of each month here at STRIVE 25 because that means we get to hang out with each other! We always have the best time playing bingo, meeting new friends, and eating a yummy meal!
ID: two STRIVE 25 participants, one standing behind a large pink and red heart framing his face
ID: STRIVE 25 participants dancing in a circle
ID: three participants and two staff smiling
Our next meeting will be on March 7th! As always there will be a delicious meal, competitive bingo, and a great time with friends! You don't want to miss it!
ID: yellow background with three yellow flowers along the top and bottom and one yellow flower on the left.
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!
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!
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 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 February Donors!
Barry Dunlap - In Honor of Caleb Dunlap
Lorne and Joyce Driscoll- In Memory of Millie Knight
The Randall Family
Harry and Anne Pringle
Glenn and Doris Meehan - In Honor of Katherine Dunton
Thomas Richardson- In Memory of Paul Barnes
Roberta O’Brion
Robert Barna- In Honor of Methos Barna
....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, Jackie. Jackie is sitting at a table with a computer in front of her.
Meet Jackie! Jackie works in TOPS and at STRIVE U! Jackie says " My favorite thing about working at STRIVE is the positive attitude of everyone here. There's a genuine, caring culture that is evident in all of the programs that I've worked in and at Central Office. Working at Strive has been a fun rewarding experience." Thanks, Jackie, we're grateful to have you!
Member Spotlight
Meet Mitchell! Mitchell has been attending STRIVE WorldWIDE classes since September and has been coming to STRIVE Night since the summer! He enjoys concentrating and learning during STRIVE WorldWIDE and his favorite course is Cooking & Meal Planning (he especially enjoyed the turkey tacos!) Mitchell's favorite thing about STRIVE Night is karaoke!
ID: photo of member spotlight, Mitchell. Mitchell is sitting at a table with a milkshake in front of him.
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy birthday to our STRIVE Members with a birthday in March!
ID: Colorful happy birthday candles on a chocolate cake
Eddie Wickwire
Andrew Tanguay
Carley Chapman
Austin Pietras
Jordan Curtis
Taylor Geiger
Methos Barna
Kaley Young
Calvin Mahoney
Nicholas Smith
Jayden Nichols
Bridget Kusturin
Charles (Whit) Jackson
Bradley Parker
Jack Parker
Crystal Miller
Marie Christie
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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