I have the privilege of working for this wonderful organization and am excited to share with you a little bit more about what we do and why this work is so near and dear to my heart. STRIVE, which stands for Socialization, Transition, Reflection, Innovation, Vocation and Education, is a non-profit organization based in South Portland - We support tweens, teens and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. - We provide social, educational & employment training programs. - We currently work and support over 1,400 members in our community. Our mission is simple: to support these individuals to live with dignity and respect as active members of our community. My older sister Joanna did not have the privilege of benefiting from a program like STRIVE. Opportunities for meaningful participation, social connection, and access to education were either non-existent or not adapted to her needs. She was often left to feel unsupported and made to feel invisible. "The disability rights movement is inseparable from the human rights movements for racial, economic and gender equity. People with disabilities must not be stigmatized, undervalued, institutionalized or excluded." ~ Disability Rights Maine, DRM. It's by doing this work: finding opportunities for inclusion, socialization, and belonging, that we begin to re-shape our world to one where our community no longer feels 'othered', and rather, make them feel like they belong, exactly as they are, right here, amongst all of us. YOU can help us create this beautiful world! I am participating in my very first Strive Rocks Fundraiser! The donations will help STRIVE provide educational and social opportunities for the members we support. We strongly encourage that you visit the STRIVE ROCKS dusk-to-dawn all night dance-a-thon so that you may see the direct impact of your generosity. It will be taking place Friday May 16th 8PM through Saturday May 17th 8AM at the Sullivan Recreational & Fitness Complex in South Portland. We hope to see you there. Thank you for your support!