STRIVE U is founded on four main program areas; Community Living - Living in an apartment with a roommate, Employment - learning valuable job skills through paid work experiences, Post - Secondary Education - Through a certificate program with Southern Maine Community College, and finally transition - assuring the transition from STRIVE U into the community is successful and meaningful. 

Independent Living in the Community

Students enrolled at STRIVE U will learn critical independent living skills in off-campus apartment buildings managed and staffed by STRIVE U. These apartments will serve as skills classrooms for independent living, training in money management, time management, independent travel, self-care, nutrition, health and wellness, and household management. Each resident will have maximum independence and choices including the opportunity to make mistakes in a safe environment It is our goal to teach each student the skills and give each student the confidence to live independently upon graduation from STRIVE U.

Competitive Employment - Real Job Experiences

STRIVE U is committed to providing students with valuable, competitive work experience and the support needed to ensure successful professional experiences. Students will be given the opportunity to experience a wide variety employment opportunities of value (both to employee and employer) focusing on areas in which students express interest. Our intention is to provide employment opportunities in areas other than the traditional ones open for people with developmental disabilities. STRIVE also provides extensive job preparation and training to complement the work experience.

Post-Secondary Education

STRIVE U is committed to providing students with valuable, competitive work experience and the support needed to ensure successful professional experiences. Students will be given the opportunity to experience a wide variety employment opportunities of value (both to employee and employer) focusing on areas in which students express interest. Our intention is to provide employment opportunities in areas other than the traditional ones open for people with developmental disabilities. STRIVE also provides extensive job preparation and training to complement the work experience.

Transition

Leading up to graduation, STRIVE U, will assist graduates with housing and employment support if necessary. This will ensure that STRIVE U graduates are productive and fully participating members of the community. The transition process will take place throughout students 2 years at STRIVE U. This will begin with enrollment, and the creation of a written transition plan, including goals set by the individual. Upon graduation from STRIVE U, and receiving the certificate of completion, students will have several things in place, including all factors identified in their transition plan.

STRIVE U grants admission to students whose academic credentials, scholastic achievement, and personal motivation demonstrate a promise of success in its academic programs.

STRIVE U is a complete program not found anywhere else. STRIVE U is the only program in the nation for young adults with developmental disabilities that combines all four program areas of residential living, employment, transition, and post-secondary education. It is inclusive, comprehensive, and groundbreaking.

Students admitted to STRIVE U will meet the following requirements:

• Be 18 years of age by the year of admission and no older than 25 by the year of admission
• Must meet eligibility guidelines established by the Department of Health and Human Services for the State of Maine for intellectual disability:
  • Significantly sub-average intellectual functioning means a person scores 70 or below on a standard intelligence test.
  • Impairments in adaptive behavior means not being able to do things that most others of the same age do.
  • Manifested during the developmental period means occurring before age 22.
• Produce three letters of recommendation, one from a teacher, one from an employer, and one personal (excluding relatives).
• Student must be his/her own guardian by the start of the residential program.
• Be able to complete his/her own application working as independently as possible.
• Agree to participate in an interview process.
• Agree to actively participate in an independent living skills assessment and any other required assessments, and meet the criteria established by STRIVE U.
• Have completed their Individual Education Plan (IEP) under IDEA at a certified secondary school.
• Be able to provide STRIVE U with a high school transcript or equivalent.
• Received a High School Diploma, Certificate of Completion, or equivalent from a certified secondary school.
• Demonstrate an interest in possessing educational, employment, and life experiences that are necessary to attain substantial independence upon graduation from STRIVE U.
• Have a proved ability to learn and participate in classroom situations and professional work settings.
• Be willing to abide by all the rules and policies set forth by STRIVE U – available upon request
• Meet immunization requirements for STRIVE U
• Student and family must consent to being filmed, video recorded, interviewed and/or quoted in media and publications

Complete program cost per student per year:

Maine Residents* $13,667.00
Non Maine Residents $65,013.00

Tuition includes: food, housing, utilities, Southern Maine Community College classes, internet, cable TV, and spending money.

Most all of our students receive social security and use all of that towards their tuition, which typically covers almost half of the total. Additionally, the goal for students is that they will have paid employment during their two years and those work wages can also be used toward tuition. Many students come in to STRIVE U with scholarships that they have been awarded and those, too, may be used. We do have a small scholarship that students apply for that can be used after they have entered the program. There is also a low interest loan program with Bangor Savings Bank.

Students must have the first year completely paid before they can begin the second year. The second year must be completely paid before graduation.

*Lived in Maine for 12 consecutive months, for purposes other than education. Proof may be required.

For more information, please contact (207) 774-6278 or email: admissions@pslstrive.org

Will a STRIVE U student be able to spend the night off campus at a friend’s house? What if they have responsibilities the next day, i.e. work, an exam?

Yes, students can spend the night off campus even in they have responsibilities the following day— however, the student is responsible for making sure that they have rearranged their schedule so that they can take care of their responsibilities at a different time. Making mistakes and instituting natural consequences is part of the program.

We would be happy to show you around the Nye Street Campus. Tours are set up through our Office of Admissions. For more information, please contact (207) 774-6278 or email at:admissions@pslstrive.org.

Directions

Nye Street Campus
From the Maine Turnpike (I-95):From I-95 merge onto I-295 N via exit number 6A toward South Portland/ Portland Downtown. From I-295, take the US-1 S/ Forest Avenue/ ME-100 S exit—exit 6A. Turn right onto Forest Avenue/ US-1/ ME-100. Continue to follow Forest Avenue. Turn right onto Congress Street. Turn left onto Park Street. Turn left onto Nye Street.

PSL Services/STRIVE Offices - Foden Road
The PSL Services/STRIVE Center is located at 28 Foden Road in South Portland, across from ON Semiconductor. It is only 10 minutes from downtown Portland and less than 5 minutes from the Maine Mall.

From Portland: Take I-295 South to Exit 3. Make a right at the end of the exit. At the second traffic light, make a right onto Western Avenue (Outback Steakhouse and Eggspectation Restaurant is on the right). At the next traffic light, make a right onto Foden Road. The PSL Services/STRIVE Center is 500 ft. on the right side.

From all other points: Take I-95 (Maine Turnpike) to Exit 7A. Make a right at the end of the exit. At the first traffic light, make a right. Proceed straight through the next traffic light (passing Staples plaza and the Coca-Cola Company). At the next traffic light, make a left onto Foden Road. The PSL Services/STRIVE Center is 500 ft. on the right side.

STRIVE U Alumni: If you want to keep in touch with news and social events, email info@pslstrive.org if you would like to be added to the email list of alumni students to be emailed.

Connect with STRIVE U Campus on Facebook to keep up with upcoming alumni events!

Check back here often for updates on Alumni information