What a great year this has been for our organization! How do I even capture all that has occurred since January 2024? Since we began in 1998, we have always remained true to our commitment to listen to our families and respond as best we can in providing meaningful programs for their children who have varying abilities and disabilities.

The Administrative Team often accuses me of writing too much for our email newsletters or when I am completing a grant…. this has always been an ongoing challenge for me. That said, I am going to try to keep this brief! Here are some highlights:

• This year, we celebrated our 26^th year!
• Growing our already existing programs in order to provide more opportunities for our participants, ages 5-21, along with their families, as well as introducing new programs to older individuals, 21-40, with disabilities has occurred this year. 
• Cooking and art classes along with Kindness Konnections (community service component for older participants) are now a part of Aaron’s Acres throughout the year, with more new programs to come in the new year.
• A Resource Fair with family-fun activities was held with 23 organizations and businesses sharing their information about how they serve the community, focusing on wellness. Over 150 people attended.
• A holiday photo session for families was a first for our organization. One parent shared that her son is 20 years old and they have never had a professional holiday family photo taken –this was their first time!

At Aaron’s Acres, we believe in creating a variety of educational, recreational, and FUN experiences for the child, young adult and now adult who has a disability along with their family. Our families should have similar opportunities as “typical” families have, which then results in lasting memories for everyone! We have done that since 1998 and hope to continue to do that for years to come and then some! Receiving considerable financial support from the community throughout the year has allowed us to engage in this growth and expansion of programs.

I want to thank our families, participants, donors, volunteers, staff, administrative team, board of directors and our partners who have helped us reach where we are today. We partnered with many individuals, groups, and locations in our community in a variety of ways throughout the year and we are truly grateful for these connections that make it possible to carry out our mission. We look forward to continuing our relationship with all of you as we begin the new year!

Sincerely,

Risa Paskoff
Executive Director, Aaron’s Acres