December Newsletter

Empowering people with disabilities to lead independent and

inclusive lives in the community

December 2018

From Our Executive Director

Dear Friends,

In the coming days, I will mark the completion of my first year of service to CILO. What a year it has been for me to learn so much and to work every day with an exceptional staff and a very committed board of directors! There have been so many unique experiences for me both in an individual and professional capacity. From leading a tie-die activity with the students in our summer program to conducting accessibility site reviews in the community, these are things that have helped me to "taste the soup" of CILO as well as the disability community as a whole. I am looking forward to many more years to come and many more unique experiences with CILO.

This past year CILO provided services to more than 500 people with disabilities and their families throughout southwest Ohio and Kentucky at no cost. We are very excited for what is in store for 2019 and beyond as we continue to further our organizational "footprint" in our service area. I would be remiss to not ask for your support by making a personal investment in our mission and the people we serve. No gift is too small and every gift count towards filling the gaps from our other funding sources. It is as easy as clicking here . If you have questions, or want to know more about how your gift helps CILO, contact Debbie Moorehous, Development Director at 513.241.2600 Ext. 123 or by Email.

As always, I want to hear from you. Please feel free to contact me by any of the methods listed below. My sons and I extend our best wishes to you and yours for a joyous and meaningful holiday season.

Regards,

Rob

Rob Festenstein

P: 513.241.2600 Ext. 211

Please be sure to Like us on Facebook and to follow us on Twitter !

Are you interested in serving on a non-profit board?

CILO is seeking candidates for consideration to serve on our 2019 Board of Directors to advocate for all people with disabilities and assist CILO to further our organizational footprint in our service area. Click here to get the application (please return by December 31st.) Email us with any questions.

Thank You!

The CILO Board of Directors extends their appreciation to retiring board member Shirley Sewell for her many years of advocating for people with disabilities in our community.

We can still use your help with our Home of the Holidays Project. We have a long list of individuals and families that would benefit from a basket loaded with essential household products. Consider donating items such as:

Household Cleaning Products

Personal Hygiene Products

Light Bulbs
Extension Cords
Batteries
Flashlights
Night Lights
Basic Tool Set

Dust Pan/Mop/Broom
Trash Can/Trash Bags
Step Stool

Bath/Hand Towels
Tub Mat
Toilet Brush/Holder
Wastebasket
Paper Towel Holder
Dish Rack/Drying Mat
Kitchen Towels/Mitts

Dish Soap
Food Storage Containers

Aluminum Foil/Plastic Wrap
Facial Tissues/Paper Towels

Items should be brought to CILO by December 14th.

Want our elves to do the shopping?

DONATE NOW

Supporting persons with disabilities through this season of celebration and change

Not Just Surviving the Holidays is a guide for parents, grandparents, and friends to use while supporting persons with disabilities through this season of celebration and change. While holidays often bring up those Hallmark memories for many of us, for some children and adults with disabilities holidays signal an intense time of stress and distress.

Read the full article here.

Holiday Office Hours

Wednesday, December 19

CILO closes at 12:30pm for staff holiday lunch

Monday, December 24 - Monday, January 1

CILO will be closed

December Classes at CILO

Writer's Express will meet from 1pm to 3pm on Tuesday, December 4th & Tuesday, December 18th

How to Use Your Cell Phone will meet from 10am to 11:30am on Tuesday, December 11th

For questions or to RSVP contact Beth Crenshaw by Email or

Call 513.241.2600 ext. 114.

Consumer Advisory Council

Tuesday, December 4th!

Join us to empower and advocate for people with disabilities and help CILO learn how we can expand and improve our services. Read more here!

Pre-Employment Transition Services

Pre-Employment Transition Services for youth between 14 and 21 ye ars are free , accessible and introductory one-on-one services intended to help students with disabilities get a jump start on transition. Learn more about these services here .

For questions or more information please contact Jennifer Kroell, Youth Transition Coordinator by email or by phone: 513-241-2600 ext. 200.

Winter Weather

To keep our consumers and our staff safe, CILO may adjust office hours or may close the office when there is inclement weather. Please feel free to call us at 513.241.2600 before coming by!

Ohio Consumers:

Free notary services at CILO

By appointment only, contact us

Are you an Amazon shopper? Did you know you can shop at Amazon Smile and benefit CILO?. Just log on to www.smile.amazon.com using your regular Amazon credentials and select

Independent Living Options, Inc , (make sure it says Cincinnati). Once signed up each of your qualifying purchases at Amazon Smile will benefit CILO!

Thanks to our supporters for helping our Amazon donations triple this year!

Kroger Community Rewards

Looking for a super easy way to support CILO? Learn how shopping at Kroger can benefit our programs and services. Read more here!

Do you have a question about how you can support CILO?

Contact Debbie Moorehous, Development Director by email

or phone 513.241.2600 ext. 123

Do you need our newsletter or other CILO publication in an alternative format?