On a crisp March morning at the Tri-Main Center in Buffalo, the air buzzed with advocacy and a call to action. Aspire of WNY was proud to be part of the Spread the Word Inclusion Event on March 5—a day rooted in compassion, community, and the movement to end the use of the R-word.
Each year, National Spread the Word Day, observed on the first Wednesday in March, unites people across the globe in support of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). To stand with this cause, Aspire of WNY joined fellow local IDD service providers to participate in this meaningful event.
Our Intake and Outreach Team set up a welcoming table filled with brochures, resources, and warm smiles, eager to connect with attendees about the life-changing services Aspire of WNY offers. Conversations sparked curiosity, built awareness, and emphasized the need for inclusivity and accessibility in our greater community.
Just a few steps away, advocacy was unfolding through art. Aspiring artists from the Co-Op Day Hab’s iXpress Program created a collaborative painting of a tree—its wide branches stretching outward with possibility. The leaves were intentionally left blank, inviting attendees to sign their names after taking the pledge to end the use of the R-word.
And sign they did. One by one, advocates, community members, families, and friends added their names; each leaf a promise to speak up, include, and join a larger, ongoing conversation.
“We received so much love and warm feedback on our piece,” shared Amy Holdnack, Coordinator of Day Service Opportunities at Aspire of WNY. “It was powerful to see so many people who are committed to the cause sign their name and take the pledge.”
Today, that tree—now a colorful mosaic of names and commitments—is proudly displayed at Aspire of WNY’s 7 Community Drive location. More than a work of art, it serves as a visual reminder of what’s possible when we come together to build a community that embraces every person for who they are!
At Aspire of WNY, we believe change begins with a conversation, a connection, and sometimes…. A simple signature on a leaf. And on March 5, we witnessed just how far those small acts can grow.