Marinette, WI – Aspiro, a Green Bay‑based nonprofit that serves individuals with disabilities and their families, announced the opening of a new location at the Marinette Community Recreation Center. The expansion responds to growing demand from families who have been traveling to Green Bay for services, according to Nicole Hoffmann, Aspiro’s vice president of development.
Local programming tailored to community needs
Three days each week, Aspiro staff run a classroom in Marinette that delivers the organization’s Building Full Lives (BFL) program. BFL focuses on three core areas: daily‑living skills such as using a laundromat or shopping for groceries; career exploration through business tours and job‑training activities; and volunteerism with local nonprofits like food pantries and Goodwill.
“We go out in the community and spend our day doing one of those three things,” Hoffmann explained. “It may be a business tour as part of career exploration, a skill‑building outing to a laundromat, or volunteering with a local agency.”
Clients share their experiences
Lexie Maisonneuve, a longtime Aspiro client from Green Bay, praised the opportunity to practice skills outside the classroom. “I like going out in the community and doing things, especially BFL. You can go out, not just stay in the building, and volunteer,” she said.
Eli Olive, one of the first Marinette participants, expressed his career goals. “I want to get my first job at Starbucks and then work railroads as a train conductor,” he said. Aspiro staff will work with Olive to develop the job‑training steps needed to achieve those aspirations.
Grace Weyenberg, another participant, highlighted the program’s impact on everyday life. “It’s a really good program. It teaches us about life skills, we get to do different lessons, and we go to different places,” she added.
Why the expansion matters
Hoffmann noted that families have been traveling to Green Bay for Aspiro’s services, indicating a clear unmet need in the Northwoods region. By establishing a local hub, Aspiro reduces travel burdens for families and creates more opportunities for community integration.
The organization’s presence at the Marinette Community Recreation Center also strengthens ties with local nonprofits, fostering collaborative volunteer projects that benefit both Aspiro clients and the broader community.
Looking ahead
Aspiro plans to continue expanding its reach throughout the Northwoods, with additional programming and partnerships in development. The nonprofit’s mission—to empower individuals with disabilities to lead full, independent lives—remains central to its growth strategy.
Local leaders and families have welcomed the new services, viewing the expansion as a win for both Aspiro participants and the Marinette community at large.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
