Aspiro broke ground today on $21 million renovation at its Dousman Street campus.
The Beyond Expectations capital campaign will fund new classrooms, an art studio, music room, teaching kitchen, gymnasium, dementia-friendly spaces, a modern nurses’ station, and infrastructure upgrades like roofing, plumbing, electrical and HVAC.
Aspiro was founded in 1957 by a group of parents who refused to accept institutionalization as the only option for their children with disabilities. At a time when special education was not yet mandated, they built their own programs—laying the foundation for a more inclusive future. The original Community Service Center, now Aspiro, opened in 1967 and was the first of its kind in the nation, serving 112 individuals. Today, Aspiro supports more than 1,400 individuals and their families each year.
“Our founding families came together with a singular purpose: to build an organization whose mission was to help people with disabilities exceed all expectations. They succeeded in every way,” said Ryan Ruzziconi, Aspiro President. “Today we honor their legacy by breaking ground on a modernized Aspiro – one that continues their mission and meets the needs of the future.”
Aspiro has received community gifts of over $12 million so far as its capital campaign continues. Learn more here:Â aspiroinc.org/beyond-expectations
“This is more than a construction project,” said Rick Chernick, Campaign Chair. “Aspiro is a vital part of the lives of people with disabilities in our community, including my own brother’s. It is a place of belonging, a second home, and a second family for the people they serve. We are incredibly grateful to our donors and community partners for believing in the work Aspiro does every day to serve our community.”
