More on the announcement here.

NEXT STEPS SUMMER PROGRAM

Throughout the summer, youth with disabilities were paired with local job sites to master employability skills through paid work opportunities. By the end of the six-week experience, participants built an impressive resume, sharpened interview skills, and learned to perform in a professional work environment. Hear from students and see employment partners here. 

STAFF SPOTLIGHT | Leah Whitacre

Leah graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Miami University of Ohio in 2012. During college, she volunteered for Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities and became a “Buddy”. After college, she came back to her hometown of Toledo and taught kindergarten for four years and third grade for one year. She has a passion for helping children become successful in school and in life.

Leah first became involved with The Ability Center when she was a camp counselor for Camp Cricket in 2007. She participated as a counselor for the Summer Golf Camp program in 2009 as well as a counselor for the YMCA camps and Maumee Valley camps in the community. Leah was also a job coach for the summer in 2018 and 2019. She is excited to be a part of The Ability Center’s Youth and Transition department where she can work with students on independent living skills like cooking, time management, and personal safety.

Leah currently lives in Haskins, Ohio and enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her lab, Chief. She loves to be outside and doing anything from playing catch with Chief, riding on the boat with her brother, or fishing at her parent’s lake house

People recognize parks are special places to gather, to exercise, recreate and learn about nature. Metroparks is committed to providing opportunities for all people to utilize our parks, facilities and programs. Metroparks hosted two consumers this summer through our Next Steps Summer Program; cleaning and organizing in the historic Manor House at Wildwood. We’ve introduced a “Try-It” initiative for youth and adult consumers to experience different accessible programs offered by the parks and find activities they enjoy. We appreciate our long history with Metroparks Toledo and applaud their effort to continue making programs and attractions accessible to all people.