The Tale of Aspire to Give® Academy
Bringing Hope and Inspiration for a Better Tomorrow
Nestled
in Auburn, Alabama, the Aspire to Give® Academy embodies a
life-giving spirit of generosity, transition, and purpose. To capture its
evolution, let us recall a classic tale to help us understand the academy’s
journey in a simple and relatable manner.
The
Parable of the Three Bricklayers: Once upon a time, three bricklayers were asked what they were doing. With a
slight huff, the first one replied, "I'm laying bricks." The second
one, smiling modestly, said, "I'm building a wall." But the third
one, eyes shimmering with passion, declared, "I'm constructing a
cathedral!" Each bricklayer did the same physical task, but their
perspectives differed vastly. It is a story of vision, purpose, and
perspective, reminding us that the mindset we approach at the crossroads of
life can change the path of our life’s journey.
1. Just Laying Bricks: In the initial days, Aspire to Give® Academy resembled the first bricklayer, laying the foundational bricks quietly with intent. The purpose was young, focused on assisting people through their varying life transitions, establishing a base where kindness and support were the mortar holding everything together.
2. Building a Wall: Gradually, the academy evolved, akin to
the second bricklayer, assembling sturdy walls that represented stable support
and steadfast guidance. While collaborating with Auburn University's Cary Center to advance philanthropic impact, the composing of the Aspirational Philanthropist
Learning Series® provided shelter and assistance during
challenging times amid the chaos of a global COVID pandemic and served as the
foundation for the cathedral (the Academy).
3. Erecting a Cathedral: Eventually, like the third bricklayer,
the academy blossomed into something truly magnificent - a cathedral of
altruism and purpose for everyone facing a crossroads on their life’s journey. With its roots in the original learning
series and built on Four Pillars of Learning and Five Core Beliefs, The Pivot to Purpose Learning Series™ was born to empower everyday people to refresh their purpose for living, nurture the mind, expand and hone their skills, and equip them with tools, critical thinking, resources, and roadmap to pursue a renewed purpose to build their lives of personal meaning, significance, and lasting impact.
In
the heart of Aspire to Give® Academy, everyone finds a nurturing
space to transform their life’s journey into something profoundly and
personally meaningful as they find and pursue a renewed purpose at each crossroads of life. Within
the walls of the Academy, we are not laying bricks or building walls. We empower our learners - no matter their life situation - to build their best life. Within the cathedrals of generosity, learners pursue a renewed purpose at the crossroads of life,
where each transition in life becomes a chapter in a life of lasting significance and impact.
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Our Purpose
Aspire to Give® Academy nurtures the mind, expands the skills, and equips adults at the crossroads of life so that they may build their best life and foster a better tomorrow.
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S.S S.S.
Cohort (Group) Learning
(8-15 Learners)
Self-assessments
Self-assessments like quizzes, crossword puzzles, and exams help you track progress, reinforce learning, and customize your journey towards the next chapter of life.
Community Learning Groups
Peer learners, united by a common life transition, learn and support each other through shared experiences, empathetic engagement, and collective problem-solving. Community groups include veterans, young adults, recovering singles, and other common interest groups..
Course Workbooks
Each course of the learning series comes with an engaging workbook with lesson exercises tailored for the learner, to spark questions, foster reflection, and stimulate personal growth.
Success Coaches
Each cohort (group) of 8-15 learners is guided by an experienced Success Coach who serves as a mentor and resource. The Success Coach virtually meets with the group multiple times to enhance learning, guide learners, and answer learner questions.
Veterans Transition Empowerment Program (V-TEP)
The V-TEP program of two bundled courses empowers veterans to chart their own unique path as they transition to civilian life. Join a supportive cohort led by an experienced coach, where veterans learn, share, and navigate the road to successful transition.
Four Pillars of Learning
The Academy's state-of-the-art inquiry-based, transformative curriculum is based on four pillars of learning:
1. Personal - tailored to your situation.
2. Positive - uplifting & appreciative.
3. Probing - questions spark learning.
4. Practical - applicable to real-life.
Five Beliefs
1. Appreciate individuality
2. Give sincerely
3. Practice reciprocal generosity
4. Live with purpose
5. Choose wisely at life's junctures
Coming Soon
Course #3
The Art & Science of Financial Generosity
Engage both your loving heart and your thinking head as you learn to give genorously to loved ones and special causes. You will learn over a dozen strategic tools and strategies to give wisely to create a lasting legacy of signficance and impact.
Coming Soon
Course #4
Compose a
Legacy of Love
Compose a Legacy of Love invites you to construct an enduring testament of your life's journey, aspirations, and wishes, carefully framed in love, generosity, and consideration. In this course you compose and convey your legacies, align your resources, organize your estate affairs, and offer treasured guidance to loved ones to reduce stress, save money, and ease administrative hassle upon death.
S.M.A.R.T. Goals
Personal goals are crucial for successfully navigating life transitions. S.M.A.R.T. goals should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Coming Soon!
Digital Downloads
Each of the four courses of the series includes digital downloads of articles, research, references, and checklists that supplement the course video, workbook exercises, and cohort peer learning.
Crossword Puzzles
In addition to lesson exercises, each course includes 4 crossword puzzles as a fun way to learn the terminology. Being fluent in conversation with peers, coaches, mentors, and professional advisors is essential for successfully navigating life transitions.
Coming Soon!
Blog
Previous and new blog posts will enhance course and workbook content, equipping learners with extra references and resources on cutting-edge topics like the philanthropic frontier, effective financial generosity tools and strategies, and mastering life transitions throughout the lifespan.
Bundle #3
Legacy by Design
The Legacy by Design Program helps you give intentionally and generously to loved ones and special causes. Learn over a dozen financial giving strategies and how to avoid unintended consequences of financial generosity, evaluate nonprofit beneficiaries, and compose a legacy of love through letters capturing your aspirations, life-lessons, and values. Organize your personal affairs with this bundle, ideal for those with financial resources to share and in the sunset years of life. Legacy by Design is bundled courses #3 & #4.
Pivot to Purpose
Transition Program
Embark on a transformative journey with the two-course Pivot to Purpose Transition Program. Guided by a seasoned coach, adults navigating life transitions develop self-awareness, leadership, and renewed purpose and gain vital life skills to master life transitions.
Coming Soon
Course #1
Pivot Points: Mastering Life's Transitions
Pivot Points: Mastering Life's Transitions is an engaging, interactive course designed for adults at critical life crossroads. It offers ten comprehensive lessons and an insightful workbook, equipping learners with practical strategies and reflective exercises to gracefully understand their own life journey, navigate life's changes, and foster self-awareness and resilience for life's future crossroads.
Coming Soon
Course #2
Pathway to Purpose: Stories & Questions
for Clarity
Pathway to Purpose aligns your passions and strengths with your refreshed purpose and transition goals, offering workbook exercises, storytelling, and reflective questions for deep learning and decision-making. Learn seven practical thinking tools for clear, confident choices. Includes references for further reading. This courses is the second course of the V-TEP and Pivot to Purpose Transition Bundle.
7 Thinking Tools
In the Pathway to Purpose course, learners will enhance their decision-making skills with seven easy-to-use critical thinking tools. These tools will empower individuals to make more well-informed choices, allowing them to navigate life's challenges with greater confidence, comfort, and clarity.
Learning Roadmap
In the Pivot Points course learners are introduced to a proven five step roadmap.
Contact Us
Success Coaching Approach
Our Success Coaches guide and mentor a cohort of 8-15 members periodically throughout each course through virtual meetings and are available to learners for guidance, support, and resources.
Meet Our Coaches
Highly trained and experienced coaches will lead the various life transition cohort groups, including military veterans transitioning to civilian life. Coaching profiles will be available on the Academy's website.
Seek, Ask, Give, & Do
We embrace a philosophy anchored in Reciprocal Benevolence, where education flourishes as a natural outcome of mutual kindness and support:
- Seek with an open heart, and you shall discover knowledge.
- Ask with caring curiosity, and wisdom will be imparted to you.
- Give generously, and in return, gain deeper insights.
- Treat others with the kindness, empathy, and respect you seek.
We nurture wisdom through caring questions, deliberate generosity, and thoughtful kindness.
Study Groups
Cohorts of 8-15 members from the same group are usually in the same class, promoting sharing and support among learners.
Pivot Points, Lesson 1
Learn the Lingo Answers
Social Sharing for
Societal Solutions ℠
Let's Transform Lives in Transition through Cross-Sector Collaboration
Discover how your organization can contribute to a better future. Let's support life skills education, to empower those in transition for stronger communities.
Crossroads of Life
During life's journey, we all come to crossroads of choices, challenges, and changes that lead to an uncertain future. Examples of those facing these life transitions include:
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Military Veterans in transition -
Young adults charting their path
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Career Changers wanting more
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Recovering singles (lost relationship) -
Restless spirits seeking more
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Retirees scouting for opportunities
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Those rebounding from a misfortune
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Those at the sunset of life
Mutual Benevolence
Aligned with a shared purpose and guided by the principles of Reciprocal Benevolence, each contributing organization benefits both individually and collectively. This harmonious philosophy encourages mutual support, understanding, innovation, and growth for the greater good.
Strengths-based Resourcing
Srengths-based resourcing unites each organization's distinct strengths for the common purpose of maximizing the impact of life-skill education. Resourcing may include access to:
- Audiences with Life-skills
Educational Need - Expertise & Knowledge
- Financial Funding
- Additional Resources
- Policy Influence & Advocacy
- Best Practices
Community Stakeholders
The cross-sector collaboration of community stakeholders develops the essential life skills of adults in transition. Local organizations may include:
- Nonprofits
- Businesses
- Gpvernment Agencies
- Academia
- Community Groups
- Faith-based Groups
Local Community Impact
The initiative fosters a thriving community by enhancing the life skills of adults experiencing major life transitions. Specific benefits include:
- More Skilled Workforce
- Economic Development
- Community Enrichment
- Reducing Inequalities
- Healthier Community
Life Skills Education
Life skills education is the toolkit for making wise choices and navigating crucial life junctures. The comprehensive kit prepares individuals for life's crossroads, real-world challenges, and success. Enhanced skills include:
- Self-leadership
- Critical thinking
- Decision-making
- Goal setting
- Effective communication
- Interpersonal skills.
A: It had too many problems!
But then it learned that every problem has a solution!
