April Newsletter

Center for Independent Living Options

Empowering people with disabilities to lead independent and inclusive lives in the community.

April 2018

From the Executive Director

Dear Friends,

I love books. Plain and simple. Fiction and non-fiction. I spend a lot of time in bookstores, even though they are slowly becoming relics. I hunt books at flea markets and love a good challenge of finding a certain title. Even if I don't always get around to reading, I enjoy keeping books of interest around me both at home and in my office. Recently, I read some books that were

produced by consumers in our Writer's Express program and I was simply en thralled. Publishing a book of any size is no small feat and is a tremendous commitment of time and energy. However, the consumers who participate in this program have been doing this for quite s ome time. The books are personal, reflective, and quite meaningful. They have shown me that anyone can do this if they put their mind to it and want to see it completed. We are very fortunate to have this program and I look forward to many more writing pieces being published.

To find out how you can purchase these books on Amazon, or to inquire about our Writer's Express program, contact Beth Crenshaw, Independent Living Specialist by email or at 513-241-2600 (extension 114). Download the Writer's Express flyer here.

If you or someone you know could benefit from this program please join us, newcomers are always welcome.

Thank you for your continued support of our mission and our consumers.

Regards,

Rob

See the many ways you can support CILO:

Volunteer with us:

Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon Finish Line

CILO invites you to volunteer with us at the Flying Pig Marathon Finish Line on Sunday, May 6th from 6AM to 10AM. Working beside CILO staff and board members, you will greet hundreds of runners and walkers in this event's 20th anniversary. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old and are required to register. Great opportunity for older teens to get community service hours!

1) Follow this link to the online volunteer registration site
2) Find and select Center for Independent Living Options from the Group list
3) Complete Required Volunteer Information
4) Use cilo as the group password when asked near the end of the form.

5) Click "Get Me Registered" to submit your information

Note: the finish line will be changing locations this year to Mehring way in front of Smale Riverfront Park.

Adopt A Pig to support CILO:

Each $5 pig purchased gives $5 back to CILO and supports our YOLO Summer Program for youth with disabilities. Tickets are available at CILO or online. View the flyer here!

Amazon shoppers:

Why not join us in supporting CILO each time you shop on Amazon? 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 0.5% of each of your qualifying purchases through www.smile.amazon.com will come directly to CILO.

Kroger Shoppers:

Did you know you need to re-register your Kroger Plus Card annually to to keep CILO as your selected charity in the Kroger Community Rewards program?

To re-register or to begin supporting CILO each time you shop at area Kroger stores, click here !

Not sure if you are supporting CILO? Check the bottom of your receipt for "You requested Kroger to donate to Center for Independent Living Options"

Youth Transition Summer Program:

Now accepting applications!

Our free summer program for youth with disabilities preparing for transition from high school is currently accepting applications through May 1st!

YOLO Brochure

YOLO Application

YOLO Program Informatio n

Our 2018 YOLO Summer Program is generously supported by Charles H. Dater Foundation.

CILO is excited to introduce this talented artist

to our community

Contact Art Beyond Boundaries here

Summerfair Cincinnati awards grant for photography project

CILO's inclusive arts program for artists with disabilities, Art Beyond Boundaries, is one of thirteen Special Award recipients for 2018. This funding supports our photo project Through the Lens: A View of OTR where photographers of all abilities experience the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood through the lens of a camera. This will be the second year for this fully accessible arts project.

Did you know?

CILO is proud to once again be the Accessibility Partner of the Bunbury Music Festival. Over 150 volunteer hours from our staff, board and friends will be given over three days to assure

accessibility for festival guests!

CILO staff celebrating anniversaries in April!

Andrew Boiman - 2 years

HOME Choice Transition Coordinator

Congratulate Andrew!

Kat Lyons - 13 years

Advocacy Coordinator

Congratulate Kat!

Are you registered to vote?

Ohio's primary election season kicks off on Tuesday, May 8, but in order to cast a ballot, you must be registered to vote by April 9! The good news is that online voter registration makes this process easier than ever before.

Take 30 seconds to update your address, double check your information, or register for the first time. Register to vote like your rights depend on it!

Online Voter Registration requires the following:

* OH driver's license or OH identification card number
* Name
* Date of birth
* Address
* Last four digits of your Social Security number

For more information about registering to vote in Ohio click here .

National Survey on Health Reform & Disability

The Collaborative on Health Reform and Independent Living is looking for adults aged 18-62 with disabilities to complete an online survey about getting and using health insurance and health care services. Whether you choose to take the survey or not you can enter a drawing to win one of ten $100 gift cards. Read more here.

Children's Museum Free Admission Program for Food Assistance Families

Children and family-focused nonprofits take note! When the Duke Energy Children's Museum reopens on Friday, May 4, 2018, it will offer its "Museums for All" program geared toward families with food assistance or SNAP cards. The program offers $2 admission to the Duke Energy Children's Museum and free parking so children can learn through play, discover new experiences and create lasting memories. "Museums for All" is made possible through the generosity of Rosemary and Frank Bloom in partnership with Procter & Gamble. More Information here.

Homework Painter Training Program

Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority and Sherwin-Williams partner together to bring the 8th Sherwin-Williams HomeWork Painter Training Session. It will be held April 16 through April 20, 2018 at a CMHA site to be determined. The training helps men and women increase their painting skills and secure higher paying construction jobs. Every participant who completes the full 40 hours of training will receive a Certificate of Completion and earn additional certifications. The course is open to CMHA residents, Housing Choice Voucher holders and Hamilton County Section 3 residents. A basic interview is required for admission and class size is limited. Interested persons should call (513) 977-5852 or (513) 977-5853 to schedule an interview for the HomeWork Painter Training Program.

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