Southern Oregon Aspire

12/12/2025

Joe is a huge sports fan and enjoys inviting his friend Vince over to watch games regularly. Recently, he decided to upgrade his personal TV and recliner. After saving up, he treated himself to a new recliner and TV for his room. Now, Joe and Vince are enjoying the new setup. As Joe put it, he’s “living his best life.”

12/11/2025

Jennifer’s Joy of Trying Something New 🚲✨

Jennifer has always loved staying active—walking and hiking—but discovering new hobbies hasn’t always been easy. Having been with Aspire for over a decade, she sometimes has difficulty expressing her interests and desires. It takes patience, encouragement, and trust from staff who know her well to help her explore new experiences.

One afternoon, while staff were helping her housemate get ready for a walk, Jennifer noticed his three-wheeled bike. Curious but hesitant, she quietly said, “Uh, maybe” when asked if she wanted to try. With a little encouragement, she decided to give it a chance—and within moments, she was pedaling down the driveway, her face lit with pure joy.

That first ride gave Jennifer a taste of something new and exciting. With support, she rode up and down the driveway several times, laughing and gaining confidence with each turn. Not only did Jennifer push herself to try something new, this experience also created an opportunity to build friendship and discover common interests with her housemate. This moment is a reminder that joy often begins with one small “yes.” When understanding and opportunity come together, individuals like Jennifer don’t just participate—they thrive.

Meeting needs is just the beginning—thriving is the goal
Give a Gift Today 👉 soaspire.org/forward

Your Generous Gifts Provide:
🏡 Accessible housing
🦽 Adaptive & mobility equipment
🚐 Accessible transportation
🎒 Recreational & personal supplies that support wellbeing

12/05/2025

Time to sign up for Winter sports with Special Olympics Oregon-Josephine County

Click the link below to get registered and to see all of the practice information.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1C5SppG8VJ/

12/05/2025

Mission Moment: Mark's Building Dreams and Determination 💪

Before moving to Kroner last July, Mark had lived independently with support from our Supported Living program, but needed more help due to an upcoming surgery and an increase in daily challenges. At Kroner, he gained 24/7 staff support and access to a healthy meal plan. He lost 50 pounds before his surgery through improved nutrition and dedicated workouts. During recovery, Mark committed fully to his physical therapy, completing exercises four times daily and attending all appointments, impressing his therapists and surgeon with his determination and rapid progress.

Post-surgery, Mark has regained mobility, walking at home without a walker, and taking neighborhood walks with staff and his walker. He has resumed YMCA activities, bought clothes he couldn’t wear before, and pursued personal goals like planting and tending a garden. Looking ahead, he’s excited to hike, return to the Special Olympics, and continue building dreams for the future. Mark says his life is now “100% better” with the support he receives.

It has been remarkable to see Mark flourish, grow his confidence, and develop a newfound love for both old and new hobbies. 🥳

12/03/2025

Inclusion isn’t just a value—it’s how we strengthen and uplift our communities. ❤️

People with disabilities deserve respect, opportunity, and full belonging. Every person’s journey is worth supporting and embracing.

12/03/2025

🤲 This Giving Tuesday—Bring Joy & Dignity to Lives Like Rick’s

Rick celebrated his 75th in style 🎉
He rented a tux, rolled out a red carpet, and rode through Grants Pass in a limousine with his closest friends.

But this night was about more than a birthday — it was about honoring a life filled with friendship, laughter, and the simple dignity of joy.

Because his needs are supported, Rick gets to celebrate life fully.
Everyone deserves that.

When necessities are met, individuals thrive. When you give, you make that possible.

💙 Give the Gift of Dignity Today 👉 soaspire.org/forward

Your Giving Tuesday donation helps provide:
🏡 Accessible housing
🦽 Adaptive & mobility equipment
🚐 Accessible transportation
🎒 Recreational & personal supplies that support wellbeing

Your support ensures every person we serve can live with dignity, independence, and choice

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from Southern Oregon Aspire! 🦃

Today, we’re giving thanks for the incredible individuals we support and the dedicated team who stands beside them every day. Their strength, joy, and unique gifts inspire us and enrich our entire community.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to champion inclusion and empower choice.

Wishing you a Thanksgiving filled with connection and gratitude.

11/26/2025

Arianna Finding Her Confidence ✨

When Arianna first moved into Oregon House, she often kept to herself. The world felt intimidating, and anxiety made even small interactions difficult. But little by little, surrounded by newfound freedom and people who believed in her, Arianna began to open up.

She learned new skills—using the bus, budgeting for groceries, sewing, and crafting beautiful resin art. She began volunteering at Asante Hospital, where one day she noticed an elderly woman sitting alone. Arianna gently asked if she needed help, arranged a ride home, and waited until she was safely on her way.

That moment reflected how far Arianna had come—from being unsure of her place in the world to being a confident, compassionate helper in her community. Today, Arianna proudly expresses her identity, creates her own art, and continues writing her first book. With acceptance and support, she’s found not only her voice, but her freedom to use it.

Aspire Forward – Help Us Ensure the Future ⏩

Our work is about people like Arianna, and walking alongside them with their ever-evolving journey. But creating real change takes numerous resources—resources that are increasingly being restricted. Your support ensures that individuals like Arianna can continue building confidence, independence, and a future they choose.

❤️ Give a Gift Today: soaspire.org/forward

11/25/2025

Nikolai is looking forward to obtaining a community job soon and is currently participating in our Discovery program, where he’s exploring his skills and job interests at local business partners’ assessment sites. 🔍 Through the program, he’s discovered that stocking and working at an ice cream shop are at the top of his list. 🍦

Nikolai is passionate about animals and helping others. He also enjoys building LEGO sets and watching YouTube.

Thank you to our business partners who serve as assessment sites for all of the individuals in our Discovery program. Providing a supportive environment for them to explore workplace skills and interests is truly invaluable!

11/20/2025

🌟 Aspire Forward — Help Us Ensure the Future

For 50 years, Southern Oregon Aspire has stood beside adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities—walking with them through every milestone, challenge, and new beginning. Today, we support over 130 individuals as they build meaningful lives filled with independence, connection, and opportunity.

🤝 But the road ahead requires all of us.

With government funding shrinking and essential services under threat, unrestricted gifts are more vital than ever. Your support allows us to respond to urgent needs in real time—providing safe and accessible homes, adaptive equipment, transportation, and the resources that help each person thrive.

✨ Your gift directly supports:
• Accessible, affordable housing
• Adaptive & mobility equipment
• Transportation solutions
• Recreation and personal items that support wellbeing

This season, help us ensure a future full of dignity and choice for the people we serve!

❤️ Join us. Give a gift. Aspire Forward. 🔗 soaspire.org/forward/

Stay tuned as we share inspiring individual stories over the coming weeks—showing exactly how your generosity changes lives!

Real change takes more than compassion—it takes resources, accessibility, and dedicated people. Join us in ensuring a more inclusive future.

11/11/2025

Recently, our very own DSP, Brittney Berg, was honored as a Work of Heart recipient at the 2025 ORA - Oregon Resource Association conference. ❤️🥳 Alongside 20 other Oregon DSPs, Brittney was recognized for her extraordinary dedication to helping individuals thrive.

Her work truly exemplifies what it means to support individuals in leading meaningful, empowered lives—each and every day. Brittney supports five women and is a trusted, dependable presence in their home. She consistently fosters a safe and supportive environment where each person feels valued and respected. The women she supports seek her out for guidance, encouragement, and to share both their celebrations and challenges.

Brittney doesn’t just provide support—she uplifts others, helping them recognize their strengths and inspiring them to pursue their goals with confidence.

Brittney, on behalf of our entire team, we want to say that you are deeply deserving of this honor, and we are so proud to have you as part of our Aspire Team. ❤️