I thought this was a unique partnership you would find of interest. Please send me any cutting edge or new initiatives you would like me to share with our membership.
 
Tony

Aspire to Expand Inclusive Educational Services in Chicago and the Suburbs
 
Over the past eight months, Aspire has been engaged in a conversation with the Belle Center of Chicago, a non-profit serving children with developmental disabilities in Chicago. Beginning in July, the services of the Belle Center will be continued and expanded under the Aspire name.
 
“We believe our unique inclusive model will thrive as part of Aspire’s dynamic service offerings,” said Kemery Bloom, one of the founding parents of the Belle Center. “We are thrilled that Aspire will be expanding our successful model, enabling us to reach so many more children and families.”
 
The Belle Center of Chicago, based in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood, was founded to foster inclusion and promote the rights of all children to be fully included in the community. They provide a critical bridge between children with disabilities and preschools, elementary schools and community programs in Chicago.
 
Aspire will work to grow Belle’s unique model of inclusion-based services for children with developmental disabilities in Chicago and its suburbs. Aspire has hired on experienced team members from the Belle Center and has begun operating out of the Belle office in Chicago.
 
“This is an exciting direction for the Belle Center and for Aspire,” said Kathy Ruffulo, vice president of Aspire Children’s Services. “The similarity in our vision for the future for children with disabilities is remarkable.”
 
Aspire is a leader in services for people with developmental disabilities. Through a comprehensive array of support, they serve people with disabilities across their lifetimes. They assist more than 1,000 children, adults and families each year with services focused on achieving potential and independence. For more information, please visit www.aspireofillinois.org.
 
 
 
James P. Kales
President And Chief Executive Officer 


Tony Paulauski
Executive Director
The Arc of Illinois
20901 S. LaGrange Rd. Suite 209
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-464-1832 (OFFICE)
815-464-1832 (CELL)
Tony@www.thearcofil.org