About Us

ASPIRE Creative Arts Program was founded in 2015 on the belief that individuals with intellectual disabilities hold an incredible amount of untapped potential, and can rise to high levels of social, intellectual, and artistic success with proper guidance and support. With more than 50 years of combined experience serving adults with intellectual disabilities, Kim Kosaki and Janice Reyes created a day program that embodies their respect and devotion to this group of people.

Kim Kosaki

Co-Founder, Executive Director

Kim Kosaki’s background contains a blend of practical and therapeutic skills. Kim holds a B.S. in Applied Mathematics from U.C. Irvine, and an M.A. in Dance/Movement Therapy from UCLA. Early in her career, she worked with children with learning disabilities and severe developmental delays.

However, she found true satisfaction when she became a dance instructor for adults with intellectual disabilities, immediately gaining a deep appreciation for their courage, determination, and pure hearts. She was promoted to Program Director and served for 12 years, specializing in working with students with Autism, Down syndrome, and Williams syndrome. In 2015, she then created ASPIRE with Janice Reyes. She now has worked closely with adults with intellectual disabilities for more than 25 years, and still finds herself continually inspired by them.

Janice Reyes

Co-Founder, Retired Co-Director, and Past Board President

As a parent of an adult with Williams syndrome, it has been Janice Reyes’ lifelong mission to provide a meaningful and loving place for adults with intellectual disabilities to excel and reach their maximum potential. She has served on various Boards of Directors for more than 35 years, and before starting ASPIRE Creative Arts Program, was the Executive Director of a day program for adults with intellectual disabilities for more than 20 years.

She was also the founder and owner of two travel agencies, and a skilled business woman with two decades of experience in the private sector. In 2023, Janice Reyes retired after serving as a co-director of ASPIRE for nearly 8 years. She is a co-founder, and past Board President of 9 years. Her experience, nurturing heart, and business acumen helped to make ASPIRE a success.

ASPIRE Creative Arts Program

Prior to creating ASPIRE, Kim and Jan had the idea of starting their own day program, and were approached by family members of adults with intellectual disabilities to begin a program for their loved-ones. It was then that Kim and Jan recognized the true need for a program focused not on itself but on the students it serves. Kim was touched that so many family members gave their trust and support for creating a new program, and ASPIRE Creative Arts Program was born.

Today ASPIRE has become an intimate, family-like environment where everyone is genuinely and equally valued. The staff possesses a deep respect and appreciation for each student, allowing artistic development, creativity, and personal growth to unfold naturally within each individual. Unlocking this hidden potential is how ASPIRE defines success.