Blog

Owls, Doves, Eagles, and Peacocks: A Colorful Expression of Teamwork at Aspire of WNY
Aspire of WNY’s fiscal conference room has taken flight—literally. Once a blank space, it now bursts with color, texture, and meaning, thanks to a stunning new art installation created by Aspiring Artists from the agency’s iXpress Program! Four vibrant birds—an owl,...

Defying Limits: Sandy’s Journey with Cerebral Palsy
Sandy remembers the moment she took her first steps. She was eight years old, newly moved from Niagara Falls to the bright and flashy entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas. Before then, walking had been an impossibility. But something about that city—maybe the...

Jaxson’s Journey to Walk: A Story of Resilience and Love
Jaxson Bauer’s smile is hard to miss—it’s big, bright, and infectious. Paired with his signature fist bumps, he has a way of lighting up every room he enters, from his classroom at Aspire of WNY’s Center for Learning to the bowling alley on Tuesday nights, where he...

Aspire of WNY Staff Felt Lucky at the Employee Bingo Celebration!
B-I-N-G-O, and Spirit was his name-o! Aspire of WNY's Celebrations Committee welcomed staff, along with their family and friends, for a Sunday afternoon filled with some friendly competition at the Center for Learning on March 2, 2025. Guests came together for...

Celebration of Life: Long-Time Team Member Richard Smith Remembered
Richard was many things: a birdwatcher, a music lover, a family member, a friend, a bandmate, and a long-time Aspire of WNY employee. For 40 years, Richard Smith was a staple at the Oxford group home, knowing the routines, the residents, and daily life inside and out....

Inside the Studio: The Matthew Wolf Show!
In front of him sits a coffee, his notes, a microphone, and a ring light. He spent the morning browsing TMZ and other celebrity gossip sites, gearing up for the moment the clock strikes 10—when he goes live. His staff member, also his co-host for the day, reaches up...

Love Beyond Limits: Kristy and Matt’s Story
In the halls of 7 Community Drive in Cheektowaga, NY, love is in the air. It's the kind of love we all want—an inescapable deep connection where two souls mix and every ounce of life is drenched in joy. Or at least it should be. But for people with disabilities,...

Aspire of WNY & the Jamestown Elks Lodge #263 Team Up to Deliver Hot Meals & Holiday Cheer!
For over 50 years, Aspire of WNY and Jamestown Elks Lodge #263 have teamed up to provide holiday dinners to local families of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This year was no exception—155 hot turkey dinners and 86 Walmart gift...

New Additions to Aspire of WNY’s Administration Team Pave Way for Strategic Future at the Agency
Aspire of WNY is proud to formally announce recent additions and promotions within our agency's administration team. These promotions and additions are critical as we continue to better work towards an innovative future focused on efficiencies, health and safety, and...

Printing Possibilities at Aspire of WNY! 3-D Printing Makes its Mark at the Tech Today Program
What do Legos, phone stands, and dragons all have in common? They’re all creations of Tech Today’s new 3D printer! Over at Aspire of WNY’s Technology Today location, individuals are mixing creativity and hands-on learning with the help of a brand-new 3D printer. The...