A Note from Our Executive Director

Dear Friends:

This past month, I was very honored to have been able to attend the annual conference of the National Council on Independent Living in Washington, DC.
Some highlights of this conference include:
  • Meeting Julie Hocker, the Commissioner of the Administration on Disabilities for the Administration for Community Living in the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
  • Along with Kevin Flynn, CILO board member, meeting with staff members for Ohio Representatives Brad Wenstrup and Steve Stivers. We provide services to consumers in both of their districts.
  • Also along with Kevin Flynn, meeting in person with Ohio Senator Rob Portman and Congressman Steve Chabot to talk about our vital services for people with disabilities.
  • A lot of meaningful sessions at the conference itself related to the independent living movement and meeting other CIL directors from across the country.
I look forward to carrying the momentum and enthusiasm from the conference back to CILO and making sure we continue to meet the needs of our consumers. I would also encourage each of you to contact your elected officials in either Ohio or Kentucky to support the Disability Integration Act of 2019. This very important legislation would guarantee that eligible people with disabilities are offered services in the community. Those already living in institutions would need to be informed about available options in the community. For additional information,  please click here.

Perhaps the greatest take away I had from the conference is to not let politics ruin good policy, especially when it comes to providing services to people with disabilities. There is no Democrat or Republican way to provide these services. They transcend partisan politics in the name of doing what is just and what is right. Right now we live in a milieu that is extremely partisan and it is my hope that we can get past this as a nation in the spirit and name of progress.

As always, I want to hear from you. Please feel free to contact me by email or by phone at 513-241-2600, extension 211.

Sincerely,

Rob

PS- I have a $10 Starbucks gift card for the first person to email me after having read this message!
  
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Summer Program Completes 7th Year!

Our 2019 Youth Overcoming Life Obstacles (YOLO) Summer Program was a great success. I ntern Shayne Hardigree, a former YOLO participant, and Cincinnati Youth Collaborative Summer Work Experience interns Lamaj Harris and Jalen Engleman, along with our YOLO Instructor Jen Kroell spent six busy weeks preparing transition age youth with disabilities for a successful, interdependent life!

Over the six week session we were incredibly pleased at how fast friendships between the students were formed. As a group they created the "norms", or set of rules for YOLO and held each other accountable. Each day was a new experience with fun activities that promoted independent living including two visits from First Financial Bank, a lively conversation with Mike Moroski, two science project days with Cincinnati Museum Center Programs on Wheels, a drum circle with Melodic Connections, and a YOLO party with Cincinnati Etiquette. Our friend Jasmine came by and helped the students make trail mix while our friend Stephan assisted with the production of our Skills and Thrills Talent Show. CILO staff members Stephanie& Lisa led a cookie decorating activity, while Kyle & Rob made tie dye shirts with the students . Our trips into the community included Independent City, MakerSpace at the public library, Gorman Heritage Farm and Findlay Market. 

Thank you to the students, parents and family members, and all who volunteered to make this year a success.  We extend our gratitude to the Charles Dater Foundation for their ongoing support of this community-based program as it continues to provide meaningful summer experiences for youth. 


Why We Need More Stories of Disability That Aren't About Overcoming Disability

If we only focus on stories where the main theme or victory involves overcoming a disability, we alienate people and families who embrace it proudly as a part of their identity and for whom a cure or remedy is not accessible. We deny their reality by not acknowledging it, perpetuating the idea that the only way to live with a disability is to erase it. Read more here





Shopping on Amazon for your back to school needs can benefit CILO!  Every time you make a qualifying purchase at  www.smile.amazon.com 0.5% comes back to CILO! Just sign in with your regular Amazon credentials and select Independent Living Options (Cincinnati) as your charity and begin shopping and supporting.

Kroger Community Rewards

Looking for a super easy way to support CILO? Learn how shopping at Kroger for your back to school needs can benefit our programs and services throughout the year. Read more here!

CILO Employee Anniversary

Congratulations to Kyle Dixon, CILO's Staff Accountant  celebrating 8 years!
 

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?
Contact us at 513.241.2600 or send your request via email