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 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...
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...
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....
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
Lights, cameras, action! Paris Adams, an individual who receives services from Aspire of WNY, was recently recognized as the Self-Advocate of the Month by the American Association of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADM) for his participation in the FRAME film...