About us
Overview
From infants to seniors, Aspire serves people with disabilities across their lifetimes. We offer a comprehensive array of support for individuals with developmental disabilities. Our name – Aspire – best sums up our approach. We help our participants and their families to aspire to a world of possibilities.
Aspire is one of the largest human service nonprofits in west suburban Chicago. We assist more than 1,000 children and adults each year with services focused on achieving potential and independence. Aspire is recognized throughout Illinois for our dedicated team of 400 staff who provide personalized services at 21 locations in the western suburbs. We help infants and toddlers begin life with as many abilities as possible, encourage adults with developmental disabilities to participate as fully as possible in community life, and provide disabled seniors with critical supports that keep them as "connected" as possible.
Mission
Aspire provides quality lifetime supports to people with developmental disabilities so they can achieve their individual highest potential where they live, learn, work or play.
History
In 1960, ten families of children with developmental disabilities gathered in the basement of St. Domitilla Church in Hillside, Illinois, and started talking about their experiences and shared their challenges. These families knew that their children had untapped potential and could flourish if they only had the proper support. They identified the strong need for lifelong services that would help their children realize their unique potential and live as independently as possible. They knew firsthand that in order to achieve, their child needed to dream. These ten families founded what is now Aspire. Our thoughts are never far away from our founders, and their pioneering spirit lives on today.
Aspire has grown tremendously over the past 50 years. Today, Aspire is one of the largest charitable organizations for individuals with developmental disabilities in west suburban Chicago. Our innovative, person-centered services lead the field with a standard of quality and excellence. We provide services that are tailored to the needs of the individual, supporting each in realizing his or her individual aspirations. Our offerings include:
Aspire Children’s Services helps infants and children with developmental disabilities reach their unique potential. Our therapists and professionals work together with families to lay a foundation for the future.
Residential Choices offer a comprehensive menu of housing options that enable adults to live as independently and productively as possible throughout their lives.
Life Skills Training and Employment Options help adults build skills which increase their ability to live independently and encourage people with disabilities to imagine their dream job and succeed.
Emerson was born with a rare chromosomal disorder resulting in mental retardation and ongoing health problems. “Throughout our journey we’ve been fortunate enough to have Aspire as our support and shoulder to cry on (literally),” says mother Candi.