December, 2016
President's Message

The end of the year is a good time to look back, reflect on achievements and prepare for next year.
 
One thing is for certain in this business, every New Year curve balls are thrown our way.  Rest assured that we will pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off when a pitch comes too close.  We are confident we will get on base a lot and hit a few home runs too; especially with your continued support.  When Babe Ruth was asked what he thought about after he struck out he said, "I think about hitting home runs."  That will be the attitude here at ASPIRO next year as we celebrate our 60th organizational anniversary (1957 - 2017).

In an organization as big as ASPIRO with more than one hundred staff working on a wide range of activities at our Dousman Street and Stiles Road facilities and in homes and worksites all across Brown County, no one can see the entirety of our work.  That's a pity, because what my colleagues, our Board of Directors, committee members, volunteers, donors and friends are able to do on behalf of those with special needs is remarkable.  But we must not rest on our laurels.  In light of this, I am asking that parents, family members and guardians of those who receive services at our Dousman Street and Stiles Road facilities share their feedback and ideas with me by completing 8 survey questions (click here for survey).

Mike Duschene
President
In This Issue
In Memoriam

We said good-bye to the following current and former consumers and 
staff* who passed away this year.  We will always remember:

Wayne Allen * Richard Martin
Ralph Burbey Carol Ann Negratti
Alex Christon Laurel Nessinger
Matthew Grunwald Jessica Raymaker*
James Hecker Diane Ribarchek
Peter Kasperek David Sabel
Gina Knapp Jean Steeno
Michael LeMere Terrance Taylor
Larry Lonzo Adell Wutke*
Thank you Green Bay Packers Foundation

The Green Bay Packers Foundation awarded ASPIRO's Positive Parenting Program a $3,000 grant during a luncheon for grant recipients on December 6.  

ASPIRO's Positive Parenting program is a home visitation program serving families headed by parents with intellectual disabilities.   The goals of the program are to insure that every child and parent has the resources and opportunities needed to develop to his or her full potential, parents have the support they need to nurture their children, and families remain together.

The program is the only one of its kind in Brown County.  A Positive Parenting collaborating partner has said, "Brown County has been very fortunate to have an exceptional program available for these very fragile families.  There is no other program that provides the quality or specialized services of Positive Parenting.  The Positive Parenting staff who assist our families have unique skills, incredible patience and a positive outlook that gives these families their best chance for success."


Presented by the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon

Start 2017 with a fun event to help commit to those New Year's resolutions. The inaugural Your Resolution Mile will take place on New Year's Day at 10 am in downtown Green Bay. This event is a non-competitive walk or run to take a physical first step toward your New Year's resolutions. 

After your mile, come back to the Titletown Tap Room for chicken noodle or beef barley soup provided by Festival Foods and a free beer or Sno-Cap root beer compliments of Titletown Brewing.  All participants will also receive a "Your Resolution Mile" winter hat. 

ASPIRO is one of three charity partners of the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon. 

For more information or to register, click here.  Interested in volunteering?  Click here.

Upcoming Dates
 
Holiday Parties
Dousman & Stiles
December 22
ASPIRO Closed
December 23, 26, 30 and January 2
Winter Thursday Night Activities Begin
January 19

Down syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease Information Meeting
January 25
Click  here for event flyer