Aspire Launches First Standalone Transition Program, Strengthening the Bridge Between School and Adult Life

Orange approved Aspire's school proposal, an elderly apartment conversion and land donation referrals. Rich kirby, patch staff. Posted Wed, Jul 1, 2026 at 6:34 pm ET ORANGE, CT - The Town Plan and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a zoning text amendment and special permit June 16 clearing the way for Aspire Living & Learning Inc. to open a nonprofit school at 584 Derby Milford Road and also approved an application to convert a single-family home into an elderly apartment. The commission voted 5-0 to amend the Orange Zoning Regulations to allow nonprofit schools serving students and adults with emotional, intellectual and developmental disabilities as a special permit use in the Office Park District. The amendment, which took effect June 26, was followed by a second 5-0 vote approving Aspire's special permit application for the former University of New Haven campus at 584 Derby Milford Road. Commissioners also approved waivers of site plan, architectural design plan and soil erosion and sediment control plan requirements because no exterior construction is proposed. Attorney Joe Williams, representing Aspire Living & Learning, told commissioners the organization plans to use the existing campus as its primary Connecticut school serving students in kindergarten through 12th grade with emotional, intellectual and developmental disabilities, while also providing transition programs for young adults. Williams said the property, which previously housed the University of New Haven's graduate business school, is already configured for educational use and requires only interior renovations. "The site is already set up for a school use," Williams said, adding that Aspire does not anticipate changes to building footprints, lighting or other exterior features. He said students would primarily arrive in small vans rather than full-size buses and that traffic impacts would be comparable to the previous university use. Commission members said the narrowly tailored zoning amendment was consistent with the town's Plan of Conservation and Development and would allow productive reuse of a property already functioning as an educational campus. Chairman Oscar Parente and Commissioner Kevin Cornell both said the amendment was intentionally limited to nonprofit schools serving students and adults with disabilities rather than broadly expanding educational uses in the district. Find out what's happening in Orangefor free with the latest updates from Patch. The commission also unanimously approved an application from Jason and Daniela Roseman to convert a single-family home at 512 Kanuga Trail into an elderly apartment. The application had been continued from the commission's June 2 meeting while the property owners completed the merger of two adjoining lots. Commissioners reviewed an updated survey showing the merged parcel and approved the application subject to any additional land records filings recommended by town counsel. Commissioners said the proposal met zoning requirements and was consistent with the commission's longstanding support for elderly apartment conversions that allow older residents to remain in the community. Earlier in the meeting, the commission unanimously approved the release of performance bonds for site improvements at 449 Boston Post Road after staff confirmed that required inspections had been completed. The commission also issued favorable referrals under Connecticut General Statutes Section 8-24 for the town's proposed acceptance of two donated undeveloped properties at 990 Orange Center Road and Diana Street. Town counsel said both landowners had approached the town about donating the parcels, and commissioners found the acquisitions to be consistent with the town's Plan of Conservation and Development. During the zoning enforcement officer's report, Zoning Enforcement Officer Stephen Hotchkiss said Big Y is preparing to submit an application for a new store at the former Christmas Tree Shops location, 220 Indian River Road. He said the proposal is expected to include facade improvements and minor site plan changes, with an application anticipated in August. Hotchkiss also reported that Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church is expected to return before the commission to discuss this year's Odyssey Festival and that Great River Country Club has posted a bond for planned site improvements, including construction of a gazebo. SEO-Friendly headline (<=109 characters) Orange Zoning Commission approves Aspire school, elderly apartment conversion. Orange Zoning Commission approves Aspire school, elderly apartment conversion. Meta Description (<=136 characters)

How Aspire is growing to strengthen the disability services people rely on. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities need services and supports they can count on. Not just today, but next year and the year after that. Delivering on that takes more than good intentions. It takes an organization that's planning ahead, making smart decisions, and growing in a way that protects what people have come to rely on. That's exactly what Aspire Living & Learning is focused on. "This isn't a moment to wait and see," says CEO Erica Hare. "The people we support deserve an organization that's thinking ahead, making smart decisions, and growing in a way that protects what they've come to rely on. That's the standard we hold ourselves to." That's exactly what Aspire's three-year strategic plan is built to do, strengthening the workforce, expanding access to services, and deepening community connection. And growth is central to it, not as a milestone to hit, but as a responsibility to ensure more people can access the right support without sacrificing quality. "We're not growing for the sake of growing," Erica says. "Every decision we make has to trace back to the people we serve. That's non-negotiable for us." Meet John Whittemore. To help actualize that plan, Aspire has appointed John Whittemore as Associate Vice President of Growth and Advancement. "John understands this work from the inside out," Erica says. "That matters enormously. We needed someone who could help move our strategy forward without losing sight of what's actually happening on the ground." John has worked directly alongside Aspire's programs and teams, and that experience informs how he approaches this role. His operational understanding helps him navigate leadership decisions that are informed by the real impacts of the people receiving support and the teams delivering the service. "I know the faces. I know the names," he says. "I've seen the smiles, and sometimes the tears. Those experiences remind me who all of this is really for." In his new role, John oversees business development, advocacy, and philanthropy. Together those areas form the connective tissue between Aspire's mission and its ability to grow, bringing in the right partners, pursuing the right opportunities, and securing the resources that make it all possible. "People in operations are dealing with real-life situations every day," John says. "When someone raises their hand about a challenge, I understand where they're coming from." Here for the communities that count on Aspire Living & Learning, Inc.. The landscape around Home and Community-Based Services is shifting, and Medicaid funding pressures are real. Aspire is not waiting to see how that plays out. "The organizations that will still be here serving their communities in ten years are the ones making hard decisions now," Erica says. "We take that responsibility seriously. The families we work with are counting on us to get this right." The work happening now, the planning, the partnerships, the investment in workforce, is how Aspire makes sure it can keep showing up for the communities that count on it. "I want people to see Aspire as a pillar in their community," John says. "Not just a place where services happen, but a place that contributes to something bigger." "That's exactly the vision," Erica adds. "We want to be the kind of organization that communities feel lucky to have. That doesn't happen by accident. It happens because we build it intentionally, one good decision at a time."