Thriving, connected, happy lives.
From infancy through adulthood, we support people with developmental disabilities to define, discover and advocate for their self-determined goals, passions and happiness.
We do this by:
- Amplifying the voices, needs and desires of the people and families we support.
- Treating all people with kindness, dignity and respect.
- Providing flexible programming and services that respond to the changing needs of individuals and families.
- Building the most inclusive, equitable, safe and diverse organization possible.
- Creating accessible conversations, events and spaces to inspire, educate and bring communities together.
Our Philosophical Approach
Person and Family Centred Practice
Everything we do is respectful of the rights of the individuals and families we serve. We support families to make their own decisions and choices, even when that means taking risks, changing minds, or making mistakes. Aspire staff and caregivers walk beside the people we support. We are partners, helpers, and guides—ready to support in the ways that work best for each individual and family.
Planning
We help create personal plans for the people we support. These plans might include:
- A care plan to guide staff or caregivers in how to best provide support
- A person-centered plan that focuses on goals, dreams, and what’s important to each person
We believe planning works best when individuals and families are involved. Their ideas, choices, and goals are at the heart of the process, and we’re here to support every step of the way.
Supporting Families
We know that when we support someone, we’re also supporting their family. Families often know their loved ones best.
Families can include:
- Immediate family
- Extended family
- Close friends and support networks
Families may need different kinds of help at different times in life. We’re here to provide support, share helpful information, and connect families with other families.
If we can’t offer the support needed, we help find appropriate supports.
Celebrating Diversity
Richmond is a diverse community, with people from many different cultures, backgrounds, and life experiences. At Aspire, we celebrate and value this diversity.
We welcome people of all:
- Cultures, races, and religions
- Ethnic backgrounds and places of origin
- Abilities—both physical and intellectual
- Sexual orientations and gender identities
- Economic, social, and personal experiences
We support diversity and inclusion by:
- listening to many voices when making decisions
- hiring staff who reflect our diverse community
- training our team to provide respectful, culturally aware services
- translating some materials into different languages
- working to keep our organization free from discrimination and harassment
- making sure everyone has fair access to our services
Everyone deserves to feel welcome, respected, and included—and we’re committed to making that happen.
