Southern Oregon Aspire

Southern Oregon Aspire Southern Oregon Aspire is a non-profit organization providing support services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1975.

"Inspiring Unlimited Opportunities for People to Create the Life They Choose." Administration Office is open M-F from 8:30am to 5:00pm

Recently, our very own DSP, Brittney Berg, was honored as a Work of Heart recipient at the 2025 ORA - Oregon Resource As...
11/11/2025

Recently, our very own DSP, Brittney Berg, was honored as a Work of Heart recipient at the 2025 ORA - Oregon Resource Association conference. ❤️🥳 Alongside 20 other Oregon DSPs, Brittney was recognized for her extraordinary dedication to helping individuals thrive.

Her work truly exemplifies what it means to support individuals in leading meaningful, empowered lives—each and every day. Brittney supports five women and is a trusted, dependable presence in their home. She consistently fosters a safe and supportive environment where each person feels valued and respected. The women she supports seek her out for guidance, encouragement, and to share both their celebrations and challenges.

Brittney doesn’t just provide support—she uplifts others, helping them recognize their strengths and inspiring them to pursue their goals with confidence.

Brittney, on behalf of our entire team, we want to say that you are deeply deserving of this honor, and we are so proud to have you as part of our Aspire Team. ❤️

🎃 We had such a wonderful time dressing up and celebrating together at our annual Trunk or Treat! It’s always a special ...
11/05/2025

🎃 We had such a wonderful time dressing up and celebrating together at our annual Trunk or Treat! It’s always a special opportunity to come together as a community and share a little festive fun.

We hope your Halloween celebrations were filled with joy and creativity.
❤️ A big thank you to Encompass Person Centered for joining us and helping make this year’s event one to remember.

We are honored to be recognized as one of the Top 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon — for the fifth consecutive ...
10/24/2025

We are honored to be recognized as one of the Top 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon — for the fifth consecutive year! 🏆

The heart and drive of our staff, day in and day out, is what brings our mission to life for the individuals we support. This year’s staff quotes say it best:

“Each and every single person believes in our mission and shows it each day in the work they are doing,” one employee shared. ❤️
“This entire organization is built on a foundation of compassion, integrity, and a commitment to making a meaningful impact,” said another.

Congratulations to all the wonderful nonprofits included in the Oregon Business list this year! We’re proud to be in such good company among those providing I/DD services.

Lynette and Charles are celebrating 31 years of marriage with a meal out and the joy of each other’s company! If you’ve ...
10/21/2025

Lynette and Charles are celebrating 31 years of marriage with a meal out and the joy of each other’s company! If you’ve been around Aspire for a while, these two are familiar faces. The Ponders love staying active in the community and enjoying the occasional getaway.

Congratulations on 31 years—here’s to many more!

🎉 We had a truly unforgettable time celebrating our 50th anniversary last Saturday at our Golden Gala! ✨The evening was ...
10/18/2025

🎉 We had a truly unforgettable time celebrating our 50th anniversary last Saturday at our Golden Gala! ✨

The evening was filled with laughter, meaningful reflection, and inspiring stories that honored our journey — and the incredible people who made it all possible. From reliving key moments in our history to celebrating the vibrant individuals we serve today, it was truly a night to remember.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us in marking this incredible milestone. Fifty years of changing lives has only been possible thanks to the ongoing support of our community partners, donors, dedicated staff — and most importantly, the individuals we support every day.

Here’s to the next 50 years of growth, service, and community partnership!

🙌 A special thank you to our generous sponsors who made this event possible:
Title Sponsor: Pacific Power
Herb Pharm
Pacific Botanicals
Hart Insurance Agency
Caveman Kiwanis
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Rogue Valley
Evergreen Federal Bank
Century 21 J.C. Jones American Dream
Roe Motors
Board President Jim Hamilton

In honor of National Disability Employment Month, we celebrate the strength, talent, and dignity that every person bring...
10/15/2025

In honor of National Disability Employment Month, we celebrate the strength, talent, and dignity that every person brings to the workplace. Inclusion isn’t just a value—it’s how we build stronger teams and richer communities. 💪

When individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities are welcomed in the workplace, they don’t just work—they flourish, contribute, and find purpose. The confidence, pride, and dignity that come from meaningful employment change lives!

Our heartfelt thanks to each of our Community Partners who open doors to opportunity and celebrate the strengths of every individual. Because of your partnership, inclusion isn’t just an idea—it’s a reality where individuals are seen, valued, and empowered. ❤️

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Mission Moment—Mackenzie's Building Skills, Earning Trust 🐈❤️Mackenzie has been volunteering at the animal shelter to bu...
09/23/2025

Mission Moment—Mackenzie's Building Skills, Earning Trust 🐈❤️

Mackenzie has been volunteering at the animal shelter to build her workplace skills and strengthen her connection with animals. A cat lover at heart, she enjoys socializing the cats and helping with tasks like laundry around the shelter.

Mackenzie had the opportunity to revisit a cat she had previously spent time with. The once-shy kitty was noticeably more sociable and clearly enjoyed the attention. Mackenzie found it remarkable to witness such progress, a testament to the care and dedication of the volunteers at Josephine County Animal Shelter

Address

1465 NE 7th Street Suite B
Grants Pass, OR
97526

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

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Our Story

Founded in 1975 by a group of parents.

Forty four years ago before the start of Southern Oregon Aspire, children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities had limited options to seek care and support. If a parent wanted their child to live outside of their home the only option was to send them to a state institution. Majority of these institutions were structured to give basic needs to their patients; food, a bed, clothes. They did not truly let the individuals make their own choices or thrive in their life. In some severe cases, these institutions would force sterilization on the patients, lock them in their room for hours when they were experiencing a behavior and restrain them with a straight jacket as a punishment. For these reasons and many more, a group of parents decided they wanted more for their children. So they began, the non-profit organizations of SPARC and Stepping Stone, what we now call today as Southern Oregon Aspire.

With the core values we still hold today, it was decided by these parents that the non-profit organization would be person-centered focused. Allowing the individuals to make their own choices in their every day life. SO Aspire supports 200 individuals in Josephine and Jackson Counties by providing residential housing, community employment placement, vocational job training, behavioral in-home supports and community inclusion services.

Our Mission is, “Inspiring Unlimited Opportunities for People to Create the Life They Choose.”