March 14th, 2022
In case you're wondering what day it is--
according to nationaldaycalendar.com it might be:
It may still be cold outside, but there are still plenty of ways to stay active (and warm) indoors --

Cardio Drumming anyone?
Kristi's working on some new community employment interviews, but in the meantime, you can check out all of CLI's content by visiting CLI's YouTube channel:


Past newsletters with pictures are on our website at: www.CLIsupports.com
The editor forgot to include these Fat Tuesday party pics from the Norwalk Rec Center. It's harder than ever to find good help . . .
John's usual--

Super short week for me last week. My son was on spring break, so he & I road-tripped to see my daughter at college. It was a great week. I'm very grateful to everyone I work with who made it possible for me to get away.

I'm definitely looking forward to some of the exciting new things we have in the works this spring-- both in terms of programs and advocacy-- but also in terms of reaching out to area schools with some new recruiting initiatives.

FYI-- Kenilee Lanes is only open on Saturdays for open bowling through April. In May, we're planning to demo the inside so that it will be wheelchair accessible. Unfortunately, we weren't able to raise quite enough money to tackle the facade-- so we'll push that part of the renovations to 2023. But, while it might not have the wow factor that we're excited about with the new facade-- it will be 100% accessible inside by the time we re-open again later in the summer. So, if you want to bowl this spring, you've only got 6 more weeks to do it in Norwalk.

Have a great week! I look forward to seeing everyone again.
John
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
NISONGER CENTER NEEDS ASSESSMENT OF OHIOANS OF ALL AGES WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY, AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER, AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
 
The Ohio State University Nisonger Center was founded in 1966. It is a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). The goal of Nisonger Center is to support and promote opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities. Workers at Nisonger Center do research, teach, and provide services, supports, and technical assistance to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. 
 
The Survey:
 
We need your help and ideas! We want individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, service providers, and others to tell us what Ohioans with developmental disabilities and their families will need in the next 5 years. We are asking about these four areas: 
 1. Education and Learning in Schools, the Community, and at Work. 
 2. Employment, Community Engagement, and Independent Living. 
 3. Health.
 4. Behavioral or Mental Health.
 
You will not have to answer every question unless you have something to say about that area.
The Survey will ask you three types of questions.
1.YES or NO.
2. Rate your thoughts on a 0 – 3 scale.
3. Write out what you think.
 
* *Please do not complete this survey if you do not live, work or support an individual in the state of Ohio.
FAQ of the week:
Q: Does CLI pay property taxes? Also, what taxes does CLI (as a non-profit) pay?

A: Absolutely! CLI pays LOTS of taxes-- property tax, payroll tax, and even some income & sales tax if those revenues/expenses are tied to one of our side hustles (like the bowling alley, renting out 16 West Main Street, etc). CLI's core business is to be a provider of community-based services to our clients with developmental disabilities. This is how we make approximately 75% of the money we spend every year. When CLI buys something related to our role as a provider of DD services, we do not have to pay sales tax for that purchase. Along the same lines, if CLI were (somehow) to make more money than it cost to provide those DD services, CLI would not have to pay tax on that extra money-- as long as we set it aside to be used in a way that is directly connected to that mission of helping people with DD. The reality is that CLI does not earn enough money as a DD provider to stay in business. This is why we've been so aggressive over the past 6 years to expand Firelands Local LLC and to start new businesses. We have some pretty big ambitions about improving our community for all of us. These will take every dollar that we can grab. We're happy to pay taxes on our side hustles because that means that they are making more money than the spend-- and because paying our share of taxes is just another way that we contribute back to our communities.

So-- if you hear anyone say that CLI is lucky because we don't have to pay any taxes-- please correct them. We are only exempt from some Ohio sales tax and some corporate income tax (if we actually made more money providing services than it cost us-- which hasn't happened for at least the last 5 years). FYI-- all of CLI's property taxes and payments are public record. We also are required to file our annual 990 tax forms with the Ohio Secretary of State. You can find everything online these days.
Firelands Local LLC
The year is flying by. It is hard to believe it is already time for our annual drop off day.
Friday March 25th from 10-5 you can bring you paper for destruction. The first 500 pounds are free. That is a $125 value. Each pound after that will be .25.
Last year we collected just under 13,000 pounds of paper. We would love to get over 20,000 this year.
 
We are also looking to add another person to our growing team. Please see the job posting in the careers section of our website to apply.
 
Production
We:  Shredded 19,000 pounds of paper
          Recycled 6,000 pounds of cardboard
          Completed 36500 units of assembly
 
Did you know that we can recycle the wrap from your boat? If you are interested, please give us a call to see what we offer.
James Johnson james@firelandslocal.com 419-921-6400
Good Works Cafe
CLI's Good Works Cafe offers a free community lunch every Friday afternoon at the Norwalk Reservoir Clubhouse. Thanks to the generous donations (money & food), CLI is able to take care of our neighbors and also get some real life restaurant and customer service job training.

If you'd like to learn more or donate--

please contact Rhonda White by phone at
419-706-5136

-- or by email at Rhonda@CLIsupports.com
Videos of the week-- got one you'd like to share? Send it in!