Latest News & Events
RADIO LEGENDS: WHAT A NIGHT!
Band Central brought down the house at Fairfield Theatre Company’s StageOne on Thursday, October 15, 2026, for an unforgettable evening of music, dancing, and community in support of CLASP!
Featuring an all-star lineup of Fairfield County musicians, including Gabrielle Lakshmi, Tim Palmieri, Bill Carbone, and more, Band Central delivered an electrifying performance celebrating the iconic radio hits of the '70s, '80s, and '90s. From classic rock anthems to timeless pop favorites, the room was filled with incredible energy, enthusiastic singalongs, and plenty of dancing. We're still riding the high!
The evening kicked off with a fantastic pre-show reception featuring delicious bites generously provided by Ryebird and Saigon Snack Bar, along with a special Herradura tequila tasting courtesy of Eder Brothers—giving everyone a little extra liquid courage before hitting the dance floor!
Of course, none of this would have been possible without the extraordinary generosity of our sponsors. A heartfelt thank you to Band Central, The Dworken Family, Actual Energy, Darcy Travlos, Santa Energy, MBI, The Leader Family, Dan Jacobs, and Achorn Pharmacy. Your support helps make evenings like this possible and, more importantly, makes a meaningful difference in the lives of the men and women we serve.
We're also incredibly grateful to the entire Fairfield Theatre Company team for helping us put on such a fantastic show, and to all our generous in-kind contributors, donors, and volunteers. We simply couldn't have done it without you!
More than just a concert, Radio Legends was a celebration of what happens when great music and a great community come together for a meaningful cause. Every dollar raised supports CLASP's mission of providing safe homes, around-the-clock care, and opportunities for adults with autism and developmental disabilities to live full, meaningful lives.
To everyone who showed up, sang along, danced their hearts out, and supported CLASP—THANK YOU! You made this a night to remember.
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We are Celebrating Direct Support Professional Week September 13th -20th!!
💙 It’s Direct Support Professional Appreciation Week! 💙
This week, we celebrate the incredible people who are at the heart of CLASP.
Our Direct Support Professionals show up every day—and every night—for the adults who call CLASP home. They work weekends and holidays. They spend time away from their own families. They work long hours and schedules that many people would never sign up for, all because someone is counting on them.
But what they give goes far beyond a shift. They offer encouragement, patience, friendship, reassurance, laughter, and a helping hand. They celebrate milestones, navigate challenges, and help make our houses feel like home.
This Wednesday, we’ll come together for our annual Staff Appreciation Party—our chance to give back, celebrate, and say thank you to the people who give so much of themselves to CLASP and our residents.
To every member of our incredible team: we see you, we appreciate you, and we are so grateful for everything you do. 💙
Follow @CLASPHomes on social media for more updates on our celebration.
Happy DSP Appreciation Week!
Thank you for joining us at the 20th Taste of Westport!
Together, we celebrated two decades of community, compassion, and culinary excellence while raising vital funds to support adults with autism and developmental disabilities throughout Fairfield County.
The best part? 100% of the proceeds benefit CLASP.
We look forward to seeing you again next year!
Visit TasteofWestport.com for more information or follow us! @TasteofWestport
Images by Videler Photography and Awesnap
Help Us Prepare for the Next 20 Years
Read our 2026 Summer Appeal and learn how your support helps adults with autism and developmental disabilities continue to age in place with dignity, comfort, and security.
This year, we celebrated 20 years of Taste of Westport—20 years of raising funds for CLASP.
As we reflect on this milestone, we'd like to ask you a simple question:
Where were you 20 years ago?
Were your children still at home?
Were you just starting your career?
Had you met your spouse yet?
Were you living in a different town, a different home, perhaps living a completely different life?
Now think about how far you've come.
For many of the people we serve, the last twenty years have been even more transformative.
Twenty years ago, some of our residents lived in institutions, with little privacy, few choices, and limited opportunities. Today, they live in homes. They have neighbors, friends, jobs, hobbies, and people who care about them.
Twenty years ago, many families worried constantly about what the future would hold for their loved one. Today, they have peace of mind knowing their family member is safe, supported, and living a life filled with dignity, purpose, and belonging.
This progress didn't happen overnight. It happened one day at a time, one home at a time, one person at a time.
And it happened because people like you believed that every person deserves the opportunity to thrive.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who supported CLASP at this year's Taste of Westport. But after the last oyster was shucked, the final champagne glass was poured, and the lights went out, the needs remained.
And the mission continues.
As we look ahead to the next twenty years, the need for CLASP's services continues to grow. Our residents are aging, our homes require ongoing maintenance, and the cost of providing high-quality care continues to rise.
Your gift today helps ensure that adults with autism and developmental disabilities continue to have what every person deserves: a safe home, meaningful relationships, and the opportunity to live a full and rewarding life.
Please help us continue building futures and changing lives for the next twenty years.
Thank you for being part of the CLASP family.
A Joy-Filled Evening at Our 2026 Spring Dance
Celebrating 40 Years with Tracy Flood
We invite you to read Tracy's inspiring story and join us in celebrating her legacy by supporting the work we continue to do together.
Tracy’s journey with CLASP began at our group home on Pine Drive, a role she found through a local newspaper ad. Initially, she saw it as a temporary opportunity—a way to gain experience before pursuing her master’s in psychology. However, what she intended as a brief stop quickly evolved into a lifelong commitment. Over the next 40 years, Tracy dedicated herself wholeheartedly to CLASP's mission. When asked what inspired her to stay, her response was immediate and deeply heartfelt: “They healed me.”
Tracy had recently lost her mother when she began working at Pine Drive—a time when she felt alone and adrift. It was then that she met Angie, a woman Down Syndrome, who had just transferred to CLASP from an institution in Southbury, looking for a new home. Tracy remembers that, aside from two residents, most of the individuals at Pine Drive came from similar institutional settings.
One day, Tracy opened the door to find Angie standing there in what looked like a state-issued prison uniform, clutching a collection of old 45 RPM records and a stack of catalogs. “Oh yes,” the aide with her explained, “she takes those everywhere. If you put anything down at the facility, it disappears, so she carries them with her.” Tracy vividly remembers Angie’s hopeful question: “Ok, can I move in today?” While Tracy couldn’t respond right away, she was deeply moved by Angie’s determination to start a new chapter in her life.
Moments like these would shape Tracy’s career and deepen her connection to those she served. Reflecting on Angie’s story, Tracy says, “Before coming to Pine Drive, Angie’s life had been bleak - she had spent years in an institution that couldn’t meet her needs. Yet, she didn’t cling to the past or harbor bitterness. Instead, she arrived with an open heart and infectious enthusiasm, saying, ‘Let’s get this party started.’ You couldn’t help but fall in love with her and be touched by the abundant, unconditional love she offered.”
Throughout her career, Tracy has encountered countless stories of resilience and hope, each echoing a common theme. The residents of CLASP Homes, regardless of their pasts, consistently arrive with open hearts, eager to embrace the future and share their love.
Over her 40 years with CLASP, Tracy has impacted countless lives. But looking back, she believes her most profound takeaway is that it was the CLASP community that healed her first.
