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STRIVE News & Updates
October 1st, 2023
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Image Description (ID): Career Fair flyer with position and contact information and 3 photos of STRIVE staff and participants. | |
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Are you, or someone you know in the market for a new job?
We're hiring for a number of positions!
We have full time, part time, and per diem opportunities available- including weekdays, evenings, and weekends!
We are also offering a $1,750 sign on bonus (after 30 days of successful employment) plus an additional $250 bonus for those that are already DSP or MHRT certified!
Join us at our Career Fair Wednesday, October 4th to learn more about our open positions and even interview on the spot! The career fair will be held from 12-6pm at 39 Darling Ave in South Portland.
Click Here to browse our open positions!
If you have questions about our current openings, contact Jennifer Boucher at jboucher@pslstrive.orgor at 207-879-0847.
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Here's what's happening in our programs! | |
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STRIVE U applications for the class of 2026 are now available! If you are interested in learning more about the program, touring the campus, asking any questions, and picking up an application please contact the admissions team at admissions@pslstrive.org!
Stay tuned for some more information about virtual open houses coming later this fall and winter!
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ID: blue flyer with the STRIVE U logo on the right | |
STRIVE U is a comprehensive two-year residential, post-secondary educational opportunity for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. To learn more about the program, schedule a tour, or get an application, please contact admissions@pslstrive.org or call (207) 774.6278. | |
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We at STRIVE WorldWIDE believe everyone should have the power of choice in their lives and the right to accessible education, regardless of potential barriers: location, eligibility criteria, waiting lists, or other barriers. That’s why we've secured grant funding to offer full and partial scholarships to individuals from Maine who:
- Live in rural areas
- OR are on waitlists to receive services
- OR have been labeled ineligible for services
- OR who are eligible for services but are on program waiting lists due to staffing shortages!
Apply now to access our online, flexible, accessible courses designed for neurodiverse learners! Check out our course offerings below.
Want to apply for a scholarship right now?
Step 1: Create a FREE STRIVE WorldWIDE Account by clicking HERE
Step 2: Fill out the Scholarship Application Form HERE
Step 3: Email Anne, our Program Director at ARyan@pslstrive.org and tell her which class you want to take
Step 4: (The Hardest Part) Wait. Our scholarship committee will review your application and respond as soon as possible and let you know if your application has been accepted. While you wait, you can complete our Virtual Campus Tour and Orientation course, it’s free with your STRIVE WorldWIDE account!
|  | ID: On the bottom left of the image is the STRIVE logo. On the right is the STRIVE WorldWIDE logo. Above the logo is a picture of a STRIVE WorldWIDE student looking at the camera | |
STRIVE WorldWIDE is STRIVE's online program that teaching independent living skills. For more information about STRIVE WorldWIDE, contact Dr. Anne Ryan at Aryan@pslstrive.org or at
207-879-0847.
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TOPS was in full swing this month with the start of the school year. With new and returning students merging, our students worked together to learn about one another and orient to the new group dynamic. The groups worked together to navigate to new locations, try various physical activities and started volunteering.
In TOPS, our students are working on transitioning out of high school. This allows our program to work on various life skills and we do that by merging academic-like classes and hands on, community based activities. You’ll find our group at the South Portland Community Center, riding the METRO bus to Monument Square, walking to Hannaford or even cooking up a delicious meal. A highlight from this month was our Hygiene-Lab activity where students rotated through stations and practiced every day hygiene basics!
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ID: two students outside playing basketball | |
ID: student outside holding a basketball | |
ID: three students playing squash | |
ID: two students instide a store holding cleaning products | |
ID: Student navigating in the grocery store with a map | |
ID: three students outside pointing to a METRO bus with a hiring advertisement for PSL Services / STRIVE | |
Interested in TOPS? TOPS (Transition Outcomes Program for Students) provides transition programming for high school students from area school districts who are typically 18 years and older. For more information, please contact Ryanne Desjardins, rdesjardins@pslstrive.org or by phone at 207-879-0847. | |
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Happy Fall! Here at Bayside we spent the month soaking up the end of summer with a trip to Peaks Island. It was extra special because we got to have both our morning and afternoon groups together for a full day of fun! We started the day by navigating on foot to the ferry, then enjoyed a boat ride with great views to the island. Once we arrived, we played at the beach, put our toes in the ocean, had a picnic, and got a tour of the island on golf cart! We ended the day with some much-needed ice cream.
It’s not all fun and games though! Participants have been working hard on their goals. From gaining independence while shopping at the grocery store to stepping up math skills while budgeting and banking, we have seen a lot of progress being made! This month participants have also been focusing on finding flyers in the community and talking about local activities and events. It has been exciting to learn what’s out there to see and do and to feel more connected to our community!
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ID: Bayside participants and staff outside giving thumbs up to the camera | |
ID: Bayside participants and staff standing on the beach | |
ID: Three participants sitting outside on rocks | |
ID: Two participants standing at the Ferry terminal and smiling | |
STRIVE Bayside is a unique community supports program that is dedicated to exploring and increasing independence. Some of the goals we work on are grocery shopping, budgeting, cleaning, navigating the community, cooking and social skills. We run five days a week, Monday through Friday and have two daily sessions, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm and 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm. We operate out of an apartment in down town Portland to simulate actual apartment living. If you would like more information about our program, or to schedule a tour please contact Kim O'Connor at koconnor@pslstrive.org. | |
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ACTIVE: This month we took lots of trips to visit Kevin at Patriots Subaru to support the 2023 Kevin on the Roof fundraiser! This year, Kevin set a goal of raising $65,000. He surpassed that goal and raised over $71,000! Visiting with Kevin was a lot of fun and we really enjoyed supporting him in reaching his goal! This month we also supported STRIVE by helping out with employee appreciation week. We helped to package and distribute gifts, and we helped with decorating for the award ceremony!
WAVES: This month the WAVES group took a trip to Frinklepod Farm in Arundel Maine. There, they gave us a tour of the farm and taught us all about sustainability and growing your own flowers and produce. It was beautiful! We had a lot of fun asking questions, and visiting with the resident farm cat. Afterwards, we had the opportunity to pick our own flowers and make our own flower arrangements.
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ID: three participants standing on the ground with Kevin on the Roof in the background | |
ID: Two participants and a staff member putting their faces through a photobooth cut out of a scarecrow, sunflower, and pumpkin stack | |
ID: Participant standing outside holding yellow flowers in a jug | |
Another month of art at STRIVEStudios! We have a lot of fun projects in the works. The marketing group has started work on a Strive themed board game that should be a lot of fun! In addition to the usual activities, groups have been busy working on large paper mache sculptures for the auction. We’re also proud to announce that our very own Liam R was named Strive employee of the year! Congratulations Liam! | ID: participant decorating a guitar at STRIVE Studios | |
For more information on PSL Services/STRIVE's Community Support Day Programs, ACTIVE, WAVES, and STRIVE Studios, please contact Community Support Program Director, Veerle Pottie, at vpottie@pslstrive.org. | |
Wednesday Night Educational Series | We had a great month learning about healthy relationships in September and we're looking forward to continuing this topic in October! Thanks to Planned Parenthood for coming and leading this series! | ID: white background with yellow, blue, and light pink polka dots. In the top left is an image of two figures holding hands with a heart above their heads. In the bottom left is the backs of two people with their arms around each other. In the bottom right are three people with their arms around each other | The Wednesday Night Educational Series is held every Wednesday in person for participants 15-24 years old. Series are between 4 and 8 weeks and topics vary from month to month! The price per series is $30-$40, depending on the series' length. For more information or for your link to join class, contact Alex at awoodhouse@pslstrive.org. | | |
Stay tuned for more details about school vacation camps! | |
ID: Camp STRIVE logo in front of green grass and blue sky | |
Camp STRIVE is a day-camp experience for campers between the ages of 11-24. Camp STRIVE is held every school vacation (February, April, and the day before Thanksgiving) as well as for the full summer. For more information about Camp STRIVE, contact Alex Woodhouse at awoodhouse@pslstrive.org. | |
September Tweens was a blast! We started the month with a Tweens field day and then entered into our Autumn era with a Fall Festival and delicious Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats! We also played one of our favorite games - bird matching! | |
ID: Tween sitting at a table holding her paper plate with mini pumpkin rice Krispie treats. | |
ID: Two tweens sitting at a table holding cards with matching birds. | |
We can't wait to continue the fall festivities into October! We have a fun month planned of crafts, treats, games, and our famous HalloTweens party! We hope to see you there! | |
ID: orange background with darker orange pumpkins in the top right and bottom left corners. There are two green branches with orange leaves on either side. | |
Tweens is a safe and fun environment to build new friendships and learn new skills for folks 11-14 years old. We run every Friday from 3:30-5:30pm. We have a scheduled activity each week, with free time built in to maximize socialization. For more information about STRIVE Tweens, contact Alex at awoodhouse@pslstrive.org. | |
STRIVE Night hosted a Fall Festival on September 22nd! We had a great time playing carnival games, getting our faces painted, eating popcorn, and having a dance party! STRIVE Night hosts a theme night every month, our next one will be a Halloween Party on October 27th! | |
ID: Participant playing ring toss and tossing a ring at bottles decorated like pumpkins | |
ID: Participant smiling with her face painted like a scarecrow. | |
ID: Participant playing pumpkin toss and tossing a bean bag at stacked cups | |
STRIVE Night is meeting every Friday in October! Save the date for our annual STRIVE Night Halloween Party - on Friday, October 27th. We hope you'll join us for a spooktacular evening tricks and treats! | |
ID: there is a black string with pumpkins, bats, stars, and spider webs on the lefthand side. There are black dots in the two righthand side corners. | |
Friday Nights at STRIVE, fondly referred to as "STRIVE Night," is a relaxed but fun evening of socialization for 15-24 year olds. New members are always welcome, and your first night is free! STRIVE Night is Friday from 6-9pm, with at least one special "theme" night happening each month. For more information, contact Alex at awoodhouse@pslstrive.org. | |
STRIVE 25 is meeting this Thursday, October 5th for a Halloween Party! Come dressed in your best costume and join us for some Halloween themed fun and games! Dinner will be served as well! And save the date for our November get together on 11/2. | ID: orange background with white rectangle in the center. There are black and white outlines of pumpkins around the white rectangle. | STRIVE 25 is a social event for folks 25 and older. It currently runs in-person on the first Thursday of every month from 6-8pm For more information on STRIVE 25, contact Whitney at wwildes@pslstrive.org or Alex at awoodhouse@pslstrive.org! | | |
The STRIVECast had a great September! We chatted with Liam - an art assistant at STRIVE Studios, Dr. Stacy Stewart from USM, Kevin on the Roof, and concluded season 5 hanging out as a STRIVECast fam! We hope you enjoyed listening to these conversations as much as we enjoyed having them! Do you have a guest idea for an upcoming show as we look forward to kicking off season 6? Let us know! | ID: screenshot of a zoom recording of the STRIVECast. There are six boxes |
The STRIVECast is a podcast brought to you by the team at PSL Services/STRIVE in South Portland, Maine — bringing you engaging, hilarious, and thoughtful conversation through one interview week by week. Co-Hosted by two young men with Down Syndrome, the STRIVECast aims to change the voices we typically hear on the radio and through podcasts, as well as to provide meaningful dialogues with all sorts of public figures in our world. We are very proud to be both hosted, produced AND edited by people with disabilities! Like what you hear? Shoot us an email at strivecast@pslstrive.org!
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Thank you to our September Donors! | |
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Hope and Paul Hedberg- In Memory of Diana Day
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Michael Harrington- In Memory of Diana Day
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Sue Wald- In Memory of Diana Day
- Mary Anne Fillyaw
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Barry Dunlap- In Honor of Caleb Dunlap
- Edmund Beaulieu
- Sharon and John Rocharz
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James Kilkenny- In Honor of Michael Pollozi
- Peoples Choice Credit Union
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Edythe Harnden- In Honor of Carter and Bela Harnden
- Jennifer O'Grady
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Katherine and Phillip Kolb- In Honor of Bridget Parker
- Judith and Thomas Watson
- Ellen DeCotiis
- The Sinclair Family
- Erin and Michael Soucy
- Allan McHale
- Matthew Ventre
- Alexandre Mavungo
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Great Falls Family Foundation- In Honor of Cole Shiers
- Steven Hilton Painting
- Jack and Katherine Emory
- Honorable John R. McKernan Jr. and Senator Olympia Snowe
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Martha Ann Savard - In Memory of Barbara West
...and to HUGE thank you to everyone who donated to our Kevin on the Roof Event!
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Image Description (ID): white background with a circle of colored flowers in the middle. Text in the middle reads "Thank You". | |
Thank you for your generous support of STRIVE!
With your support, we are able to continue our work each and every day.
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Happy Birthday to our STRIVE members with a birthday in October! | |
Image Description (ID): Black background with three cupcakes in the middle. Icing on the cupcakes is blue, yellow, and pink. On top of the cupcakes are lit candles that read "Happy Birthday." | |
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Aaron Hornbeck-Fielder
Ted Prosack
Thomas Woodman
Matthew Archer
Angie Tourigny
Andy Tao
Alice Stevens
Kayla Campbell
AJ Bryant
Sarah Doughty
Jacob Roberts
Thorin Wagner-Peck
Patrick Cook
Ryan Jones
Benden Bouchard
Iseyik Harper
Bryant Lindsey
Breanna Parenteau
Juniper Butler
Emily Whalen
Chloe Fisher
Lynn Feely
Tristan Moreau
Zachary Inkeles
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Meet Maya! Maya attended Camp STRIVE this summer and attends Friday night STRIVE Nights! Her favorite part of camp was "going by herself, playing Uno with friends, and taking field trips to the Point!" She already can't wait for next summer! Thanks, Maya!
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ID: photo of Maya. She is standing outside in a blue sweatshirt in front of a door. | |
ID: Photo of Caroline. She is standing outside in front of a lake and mountains and she is holding her finger up like she is touching the top of a mountain | |
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Meet Caroline! Caroline is STRIVE's Jesuit Volunteer (JV) for this year! Caroline says "I love when participants stop by my office to say hi and I'm looking forward to more STRIVE Nights!" Thanks, Caroline, we're grateful to have you!
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Community Members Wanted!
Did you know that STRIVE hosts a monthly, free, networking group for those in our local community? The STRIVE Business to Business Networking Group is just one way that we try to be a mutually beneficial partner, with the hope of expanding the networks of our partners and local businesses.
We are looking to grow! The group meets at noon on the last Wednesday of each month (right now we are meeting virtually). Are you or someone you know interested in joining? Contact Pete (pbrown@pslstrive.org) or Whitney (wwildes@pslstrive.org) for more information about the group and your link to join!
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Image Description (ID): gray background with a dark blue border. The STRIVE logo is in the top right. Text is in black and reads "business to business networking group." | |
STRIVE Shop
Don't forget, STRIVE has an updated store! We've launched an online store to purchase all your STRIVE swag needs! Take a look at all the shop has to offer HERE! There are so many items to choose from AND you can customize any item by choosing the color and STRIVE logo that you want. Happy shopping!
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Image Description (ID): white background with two rows of swag. Top row from left to right is a gray backpack with the STRIVE WorldWIDE logo, a black mug with the STRIVECast logo, a white t-shirt with the STRIVE logo, and a blue baseball hat with a STRIVE U logo. Bottom row from left to right is a blue tote bag with a PSL Services/STRIVE log, a gray sweatshirt with a STRIVE U logo, and a white travel mug with a STRIVE logo. | |
Has your mailing address changes recently?
Have a new mailing address to add?
Have questions or comments about any of our programs and events?
New members: You will be asked to complete an updated information form upon your arrival to Tweens, STRIVE Night or STRIVE 25. Want to get a head start? Visit https://www.pslstrive.org/membershipform to submit your membership form today!
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Be sure to follow us on social media! | | | | |
