Blog
Aspire of WNY Gets Everyone ON ICE in Jamestown, NY!
In 2024, Aspire of WNY was excited to launch a new event called "On Ice" at the Northwest Arena in Jamestown, NY. Similar to our Winterval fundraiser event in Erie County, we brought On Ice to life in Chautauqua County to provide an accessible winter event experience...
Ice Skating for All at Winterval 2024!
Aspire of WNY was excited to take to the ice at Buffalo Riverworks in February 2024 for another annual Winterval event. With a basket raffle, dinner buffet, hours of ice skating and curling, and accessible activities for all participants, Winterval is an incredible...
Flying Over Chautauqua: How an Autism Diagnosis Can’t Keep You From Conquering the Sky
Where there's a will, there's a way. And Kaylee has enough will to make her fly. Kaylee's passion for flying began when she was very young, on rides with her grandparents to visit the Chautauqua County Airport in Dunkirk, NY. By age 4, she was eager to go there daily...
Communication Is Different for Everyone…Not Impossible!
As an In-Home Support Respite Specialist with Aspire of WNY, Jennifer Rockenstein has realized that we can't take simple communication moments for granted as we go through the developmental stages of speaking. Every month, Jennifer provides ten hours of respite with...
Employee Spotlight: Meet Matthew Zanghi!
In the heart of the Southern Tier, there’s a dedicated individual who is ensuring that every residential space owned by Aspire of WNY is not just a house, but a home. Matthew Zanghi is the Maintenance Supervisor for the Southern Tier, a role that requires...
Poetry Provides Perspective for Melanie, an Aspiring iXpress Artist!
Melanie Wing, who is part of the iXpress Art program with Aspire WNY has found a unique way to express herself through writing. Despite not speaking, Melanie has a strong love for words and uses them as a way to communicate her thoughts and feelings. She...
716Together Podcast Hosts Aspire of WNY
Dive into the 716Together podcast to hear Aspire of WNY’s Vice President of Communications, Megan Rechin, unravel our agency’s mission in supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the Western New York region. 716Together is...
Year to Year, QPDI is Here!
Throughout 2023, Aspire of WNY's Quality Partnership on Diversity (QPDI) and Inclusion organized and supported many events aimed at promoting inclusion, understanding, and appreciation of the rich tapestry of backgrounds within our organization and our community....
Preventing Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) with Aspire of WNY’s Medical Quality Partnership
The Quality Partnership Medical Committee is focused on all factors that impact the health and well-being of those supported and employed by Aspire of WNY. As part of our ongoing effort to share initiatives to keep people healthy and safe, we are sharing information...
Repurposing & Research, That’s What’s Up at Aspire of WNY’s iXpress Studio!
Aspire of WNY's Lakewood, NY, iXpress studio is known for many incredible works of art, fun times, and now, repurposing many donated items they receive. The most recent repurposed project was a huge, old "starving artist" canvas that had become damaged. It was...