Walt:

Time again for the Power of Potential with AIM Services, supporting people with disabilities. We’ve had the great experience of having a wonderful Vin Le Soir our annual wine and food tasting. First of all, regarding the audio of the program, we are wearing masks for safety. We are with executive director, Chris Lyons and Chris, one of the things that comes to mind today is pride, pride in the agency and the people that we support.

Chris Lyons:

Walt, the power of potential doesn’t exist just in a vacuum. It exists for each individual so that we can continue to help people impart meaning in their lives, on their terms. Is there anything better than that my friend?

Walt:

Truly a wonderful evening where we’ve had so many people come to support AIM Services through our Vin Le Soir virtual event. And it’s all about the individuals that we serve first and foremost.

Chris Lyons:

It is. Most importantly we had people speak tonight, truth to power, power of liberation, power of independence, power of living in a lesser restrictive environment, power of truly being integrated, not just in our communities, but of our communities, but equally important is the people behind the scenes. And Walt, I don’t want to embarrass you, but you are an integral part of this as well my friend. And we’re surrounded by incredible people that made the evening of Vin Le Soir possible. And I would just ask your listeners for one moment to hear the voices of AIM as they introduce themselves and talk about what it means to be here.

Walt:

Let’s start off with chief compliance officer June MacClelland.

June MacClelland:

Hey Walt, thank you. And thank you, Chris, for your lovely words about this beautiful evening of Vin Le Soir. I’ve been here 12 years this month, and I wouldn’t do anything different with my life. I have absolutely loved being challenged with coming here to AIM Services and learning what it meant to really, and honestly provide services for individuals with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries. I have had the pleasure of meeting so many people who have opened my heart and opened my mind and opened my life to so many opportunities that I wouldn’t have had. And I also had the great opportunity to work with a ton of really talented people at AIM Services. And I’m going to pass the mic on over.

Josh Phelps:

Hi, I am Josh Phelps, the associate executive director at AIM Services. It’s been an honor to be part of Vin Le Soir, whether it’s raising money for Kyle who wants to go to Nashville or Sarah who found her first job at Stewart’s or dream job at the YMCA. Everything we do is about the people we support. I started 10 years ago as a DSP. It’s an honor to continue to be a part of this mission.

Marissa Romero:

Hi, my name’s Marissa Romero. I’m the director of communications at AIM Services. I just want to thank everyone that participated in Vin Le Soir tonight. This was just a really successful event, and it means so much to people that we support. I came here five and a half years ago, really having no experience in the field and just kind of nervous actually to interact with people that I’ve never interacted with before. And this really has just been such an amazing experience and I can’t picture my life working anywhere else or being involved in any other kind of organization. I’m so thankful that I work with AIM.

Lauren St. Pierre:

Hi, I’m Lauren St. Pierre and I work with the fundraising team and I do grant writing at AIM Services. I’ve been here for five years, and it has really changed a lot in my life. I feel like I’m finally doing what I was supposed to be doing in my life. And I’m proud to show my children what it is to really give back to the world and to people who need support. And I work with incredible people that inspire me and especially the people that we support, they inspire me and show me the way to be in life.

Noelle Fortier:

Hello, my name is Noelle Fortier and I am the senior executive assistant at AIM Services. I started here about 10 years ago and have grown with the agency and support of all of the directors who do such amazing work for the individuals we support. Thank you all very much for having supported our Vin Le Soir 2020. And it was a great turnout and we couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you.

Patty Kane:

My name is Patty Kane. I am a volunteer at AIM Services. I have volunteered at all the events for quite a few years now. And tonight was just another one of the most phenomenal events that AIM puts on. I couldn’t be happier and prouder to be associated with an organization that helps so many. And I am just proud to be part of the organization.

Brian Gwynn:

Well, Walt, here’s a voice that you’re familiar with. Typically, it’s always Brian, the wine guy, but today I’m proud to be wearing the hat of the president of the board of directors for AIM Services. We had a great event, I’m so proud of the work that each and every one of these people did tonight. I’m so proud of them. We raised a lot of money, a lot of that money goes to making dreams happen. And that’s the beauty when we’re dealing with people with disabilities, they have dreams. The money that was raised by doing these events are making dreams come true. And that’s what makes me so proud is we are making dreams come true. So for everybody who supported Vin Le Soir 2020 thank you. With that I’m going to hand it back to Chris.

Chris Lyons:

Thank you, Brian. And Walt, I hate to put you on the spot, my brother, but before I give some final comments, can you talk a little bit about you and AIM?

Walt:

Well, Chris I’ve always been involved with promoting non-for-profits, but when it came to AIM Services, I noticed something very special, that was what got me involved. And when I found out the work that was being done for individuals on a daily basis, I couldn’t wait to be a part of it. It’s been something that is a legacy in my career, that’s something that I’m very proud of. Something that I’ll always cherish and always want to help support. I was able to connect with people like you and June and the team that we just heard from is something near and dear to my heart.

Chris Lyons:

Thanks Walt. I want to thank you for everything you’ve done. The people that aren’t at the table and whose voices you won’t hear tonight, our entire staff at AIM and in particularly our direct support professionals, they show up every day because they care. Those DSPs are right here at this table with us through the support of all our kind donors and all those of have charitably given of their time and treasure and talent. And they’re making a difference every day. So on behalf of everyone, we say a big, thank you.

Walt:

This has been the power of potential with AIM Services. For more information on the services provided as well as joining the AIM team, go to aimservicesinc.org for the power of potential.