What are the opening hours?

Monday 8:30am - 8pm Tuesday 8:30am - 6pm Wednesday 8:30am - 6pm Thursday 8:30am - 6pm Friday 8:30am - 6pm Saturday 8:30am - 3pm

Aspire Community & Developmental Services

Home
Canada
Barrie, ON
Aspire Community & Developmental Services

Empowering neurodivergent young people to gain independence and rise to their fullest potential.

12/18/2025

Sometimes you receive a gift that isn’t your favourite, and that’s completely normal. If you find yourself unwrapping something that you don’t love, here are a few easy ways to handle it while still being kind:

🙏 Say thank you and acknowledge the thought

⏎ Return or exchange it for something else

♽ Donate or upcycle it to something new if possible

You don’t need to feel pressure to keep gifts you don’t want. There are plenty of ways to make them useful or pass them along while still respecting the thought behind them.

12/10/2025

Holiday gatherings can be exciting, but they can also be overwhelming. Here are some simple ways to make social events more comfortable and enjoyable this season:

🕒 Only stay as long as you're comfortable and even set time limits on when to go leave.

😌 Find a space to take a break and step away when you need a moment to yourself.

🎧 Bring items of comfort that help you feel grounded. Examples could be headphones, a calming rock, gum etc.

As you're enjoying the rest of December, keep these tips in mind. As well, remember that you don't need to attend to every event that you're invited to.

This is your permission slip to say 'no' when you need to ❤️

12/04/2025

🎄 Take a peek at what's in our stockings this year!

We filled them with a mix of bright tools for creativity, calming items for sensory support, and a few fun surprises just because. Perfect little boosts for the holiday season.

Whether you’re building a stocking for a loved one or treating yourself, these small items can add some joy and comfort.

What is your favourite stocking stuffer? 🎁

11/28/2025

The holidays can be an expensive time of year, and the pressure to spend outside your budget is high. Preparing ahead and being super intentional with your spending can help you avoid overspending or impulse buying.

Here are five simple steps to help you start (and maintain) a budget this holiday:

1️⃣ Set out a budget for the season

2️⃣ Break down the budget for each person you plan to buy for

3️⃣ Consider extra costs like dinners out, events, and social activities

4️⃣ Stick to the budget

5️⃣ Say no if it’s something outside your budget or even if you just prefer not to go

These are even some of the things we can work on together in 1:1 coaching to help you feel more confident and in control this holiday season 💝

What helps you stick to your holiday budget? Share your tips in the comments!

11/25/2025

One of our clients recently overcame their anxiety around setting off the smoke alarm and learned how to make pancakes. Now they have mastered a simple and tasty meal they can enjoy any time of day.

Building confidence and independence happens one small win at a time. 🥞👏

11/20/2025

Our Winter Programs are now open for registration! ❄️

This season we have both in-person and virtual programs designed to help teens and adults stay connected, cozy, and build confidence through fun, skill-based activities.

Adult Programs:

Cook, Bake, Eat (In-person) 🍳
• Learn practical cooking and baking skills while preparing delicious meals
• Build independence and confidence around food in a supportive, social setting

🗓 Tuesdays, 11:30am - 1pm | January 13 - March 24
🗓Thursdays, 11:30am - 1pm | January 15 - March 26

Meeting Place (In-person) 🗣
• A welcoming weekly social group
• Connect, practice conversation skills, and build meaningful friendships
• Enjoy games, discussions, and community activities

🗓 Wednesdays, 6:30pm - 8pm | Weekly starting January 7

Teen Programs:

Social Zone (Virtual) 💻
• Connect, create, and have fun all from home!
• Enjoy social games, creative arts, trivia, and more
• Strengthen communication and confidence

🗓 Tuesdays, 6:30pm - 7:30pm | January 13 - February 17

Cozy Corner (In-person) ☕
• A relaxed Saturday morning meetup for teens
• Connect and participate in creative activities
• Enjoy warm drinks and treats in a safe cozy space

🗓Saturdays, 9:30am - 11am | January 17 - February 21

Learn more and register now: https://aspireservices.ca/programs

*Small group programs and coaching are eligible for various funding streams including SSAH, OAP Core Clinical Funding and DSO Passport Funding

11/15/2025

We are entering into the holiday season, which can be filled with busy-ness, overwhelm and exhaustion. Ultimately, this can put a damper on the festivities. One of the ways we put a lot of pressure on ourselves is trying to find the perfect gifts for our loved ones.

Here are a few gentle reminders to help make gift-giving more intentional and less stressful this year:

🎁 Start planning early so you have time to think and shop with less stress.

📝 Make a list of who you are buying for.

💡 Consider some ideas for each person by thinking of things they've mentioned or you know they would like.

💰 Set out a budget of what you can spend, and make sure you stick to it.

🛍️ Look for items on sale since this can help stretch your budget further.

🎫 For those tricky-to-buy-for people, consider thoughtful alternatives like a gift card, shared experience, or activity you can enjoy together.

Take it slow, plan ahead, and remember that it truly is the thought that counts.

11/11/2025

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.

11/05/2025

We’re proud to share that Aspire Services and our founder, Becky Kurtz, were recently featured by the City of Barrie’s Starter Company Plus Program — highlighting the journey of building Aspire Services from passion into purpose.

Becky completed the Starter Company Plus program five years ago and has continued to grow Aspire Services ever since, guided by the principles, confidence, and strong business network she developed during her time in the program.

10/31/2025

Would You Rather: Halloween Edition!

Which would you choose?
🍫 Chocolate or Candy
👻 Spooky Costume or Cute costume
🏚 Haunted House or Corn Maze
🍏 Candy Apples or Caramel Apples

Comment below with your picks and join the fun! Wishing everyone a safe and spooktacular Halloween from all of us at Aspire,

10/22/2025

Gamer’s Haven and Life Skills for Teens are back this November!

Both programs run for 6 weeks, are open for registration at aspireservices.ca, and are eligible for OAP Core Clinical Funding.

👾 Gamer’s Haven - Teens
Ages 13–17
Saturdays, 9:30 to 11:00 am
Nov 15 to Dec 20
Level up social skills and practice communication through video games, trivia games, and board games.

💬 Life Skills - Teens
Ages 13–17
Tuesdays, 6:00 to 7:30 pm
Nov 11 to Dec 16
Build confidence and independence with real-world skills in a supportive environment.

Register today and have your young person join us this fall at Aspire! https://aspireservices.ca/programs

10/14/2025

🌟 October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month!

At Aspire, we’re proud to support individuals in finding meaningful employment through our new program, EmploymentWorks. Registration has just closed, and we’re excited to celebrate the progress and opportunities our participants are achieving.

Swipe through to learn more about the state of employment inclusion in Canada and why there’s still work to do.

If you’re an employer looking to partner with us, or someone who could use support in employment, we’d love to hear from you. Let’s create workplaces where everyone can thrive.

Address

4 Cedar Pointe Drive, Unit N
Barrie, ON
L4N5R7

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 8pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 6pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 6pm
Thursday	8:30am - 6pm
Friday	8:30am - 6pm
Saturday	8:30am - 3pm

Website

http://www.aspireservices.ca/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Aspire Community & Developmental Services posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Aspire Community & Developmental Services:

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Barrie?