Curative Connections history

1954 - T.S. Allegrezza is appointed Executive Director as Marjorie Taylor retires.

1955 - Allen M. Taylor, a partner with the Foley & Lardner law firm, is elected to the Curative Board of Directors.

In 1957, sixty-seven parents of children with cognitive disabilities established the Brown County ARC (now ASPIRO) to help inform our community of the needs of people with cognitive disabilities and to provide educational programs for children with developmental delays.

1958 - A cardiac homemaker service is created to teach women adaptive homemaking skills after heart disease or stroke.

1960 - The Kiwanis Foundation of Metropolitan Milwaukee establishes the Kiwanis Children’s Division of Curative Workshop in the Kiwanis facility at 610 N. 19th Street.

1962 - A program is started by the industrial work adjustment unit of the vocational division, providing training and jobs for persons with disabilities at 3724 W. Wisconsin Avenue.

1966 - The nation's first eight-week course in neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) for children with cerebral palsy was held at Curative.

1969 - Curative celebrates its 50th anniversary.

1970 - The Self-Help Program is introduced, offering structured, purposeful activities to assist adults with developmental disabilities.

1974 - Curative and Milwaukee County sign a lease for 5.8 acres of land on the Milwaukee County Grounds for construction of a new Curative facility.

1975 - Eugene M. Cox is appointed as the third Executive Director of Curative as T.S. Allegrezza retires.

1976 - The new Curative facility opens at 1000 N. 92nd Street, with 192,000 square feet of space.

1977 - Curative provide outpatient services in physical, occupational and speech therapy to patients at the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center.

1978 - To more accurately reflect its role as a rehabilitation facility, Curative Workshop of Milwaukee is renamed to Curative Rehabilitation Center.

In 1981, the Respite Care Services began.

In 1983, the ASPIRO - Stiles facility, which provides vocational training and work contracts, was completed.

In 1985, the Positive Parenting program was established to support parents with cognitive disabilities in raising their children.

In 1988, Employment Services began to develop jobs for individuals served within the community.

In 1991, ASPIRO was recognized by the Defense Contract Management District for contractor support of Operation Desert Storm/Shield.

In 1993, ASPIRO began administering a Division of Vocational Rehabilitation school to work transition program.

In 1994, an expansion and renovation of the Dousman Street facility was completed.

1996 - A 39,000 square foot building in West Allis becomes the new home for Curative’s Industrial Services, with space for day services and vocational training programming.

2000 - The first Minority Graduate Scholarships are awarded to two University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee students.

In 2003, the Board of Directors adopted a new name for the organization, ASPIRO - a Latin word which means to reach, climb towards something.

In 2005, ASPIRO was awarded the first Excellence in Business Award for a nonprofit organization by the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.

In 2007, ASPIRO celebrated 50 years of service.

In 2008, ASPIRO consumers sew 4,425 black wool scarves for President Barack Obama's inauguration.

2013 - Candace L. Hennessy PhD, RN, joins Curative as President and CEO after the retirement of Robert H. Coons, Jr., FACHE. A second Club Curative program is opened at the Menomonee Falls site in May.

In 2014, ASPIRO was named the lead agency in the Project SEARCH expansion to Green Bay.

2015 - During nationwide celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Curative is declared a host site for the "Road to Freedom" Legacy Bus Cross Country Tour in May.

In 2016, ASPIRO, CP and Curative Connections collaborate to launch No Limits - Ability Awareness Week; a campaign to demonstrate the abilities and contributions of individuals with disabilities in our community.

2017 - The Club Curative day program for young adults is expanded to two additional sites - the 92nd Street program opened in February and the Fond du Lac Avenue program opened in June.

Click here to see and read the 60th Anniversary scrapbook.In 2018, ASPIRO is chosen as the charity partner of Doctors in Recital.

ASPIRO announces Lincoln Burr as it's new President on October 7, 2019.

In 2020, the Group Supported Employment and Building Full Lives programs are introduced.