November 9, 2020
Dear Aspire Community,
As you know, the agency has undergone significant changes during the last several months, while continuing our laser focus on the health and safety of your loved one and the agency’s employees and providers. Everything from a name change to transformation of the agency’s leadership structure, we believe these changes better position the agency for meaningful growth, improved service, and greater impact on the lives of the people we support. As always, we couldn’t do this work alone. Together, we are having a profound impact on the health and safety of employees, providers, and supported individuals. Thank you for working with us to ensure the health and safety of everyone in the Aspire community
You’re also likely aware of changes in operational leadership. Each operational center has a Senior Director of Program Operations. In New Hampshire, we’ve hired John Whittemore. In Massachusetts, we’ve hired Steve Mendoza. In Connecticut, we’ve hired David Gallaway. And in Maryland, Sandy Chilton has moved into the roll. We’ve also added two new positions to the Program Operations team. Sherry Lynn McNeil has been hired as the Senior Director of Service Impact and Liz Sellinger has been hired as the Senior Director of Education. Together this team will work to unify our operations, focused on the impact our services and supports have on the people and communities we serve.
As we enter the holiday season, I am asking for your renewed support of our effort to keep our community well during this time. As you know, COVID-19 cases are on the rise, and increasingly, states are limiting travel, restricting gatherings, and encouraging greater caution as the spread of the virus spikes. As you consider your holiday plans, please also consider the health and safety of your love one and everyone they come into contact with at Aspire. If we all limit our travel and exposure during this time, our actions will lead to better health and safety for everyone.
At Aspire Living & Learning, we continue to be concerned about the uptick in cases, both in the community and within our programs. Our number one goal is to ensure the health and safety of the Aspire Community. To that end, Aspire Living & Learning is asking everyone in our community to do their part to limit the spread of the virus. Senior operations leaders are meeting weekly to action plan, we have increased communication to employees and providers, and we will continue to keep you informed as we manage through this pandemic.
Our collective efforts to keep the threat and spread of COVID-19 under control is paramount to the health and safety of the Aspire Community. Thank you for your continued support as we manage through this pandemic. We are stronger together, and your trust in us does not go unnoticed.
With Sincere Gratitude,
Lisa Lauretano, Chief of Program Operations