Ascend Services, Inc.

Organization’s Background

Organizational history, programs, major accomplishments, and challenges

Ascend Services, Inc. has a long and rich history! Back in 1957 the founder Bj Halvorsen established the organization under the name Holiday House. He intended to create a welcoming place where people with disabilities could gather, socialize, and work together to create holiday wreathes to sell. He aspired to pursue a purpose filled life despite the challenges of living with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy himself. He recognized that when people have opportunities to contribute their unique talents and skills toward meaningful activities that benefit the community it empowers them to feel their worth. This mission was so resonant within the community that the organization has served to support and advocate for individuals with disabilities for the past 65 years. The spirit of advocacy he infused into the place continues to prevail.

Although the essential purpose of the organization has remained, the types of work that the organization has pursued shifted over the years to meet the changing needs of the community and the clients. Over the course of our history, the organization has run summer camps, operated retail shops, repaired furniture and provided laundry, printing, and woodworking services. In 2018, we decided to change the organization name to Ascend Services Inc. because it seemed it would better fit the broadening range of varied services. Despite the various changes over the years, the integrity-based mission of elevating the lives of individuals with disabilities has remained intact.

Mission statement and vision

Mission statement.

To promote individual growth by providing community experiences, education, and employment opportunities. 

Vision.

We develop our support services to inspire and empower individuals to ascend towards their personal and vocational goals by connecting them to resources within our community. It is our goal to create fuller, more vibrant lives for the people with whom we work through the promotion of independence, learning, and community integration based on the Building Full Lives Model.