A Message from Our Executive Director

Dear Friends:
 
In recent weeks our staff has been faced with the unprecedented challenge of meeting the needs of people with disabilities during a worldwide pandemic. During this time, our staff has relied on INNOVATION, one of our organizational values. Whether working remotely from a dining room table or in the corner of a living room, our staff has been creative in the way we provide our services by recognizing and making universal changes in how, where and when services are delivered. Videoconferencing to provide instruction and support, assisting with online grocery orders for families and providing curbside delivery, providing consumers the important information on voting, assisting them to participate in the 2020 Census, and assuring they meet criteria for stimulus checks are just few of the ways we have been supporting consumers. Another one of our organizational values, COMPASSION, has been crucial while our staff maintains regular contact with consumers. Daily they have provided 1:1 support and have conversations about anxiety and fear, particularly with parents who are home with children. While working remotely we have been responsive to the increase in phone and web inquiries and have connected nearly 100 people to various resources across our community.
 
I appreciate the resiliency of our staff and thank them for their continued commitment to our mission to empower people with disabilities to lead independent and inclusive lives in our community.  It is my intention to continue this level of support as our staff will alternate shifts of working remotely and working in the office beginning May 6. Until further notice, our office will remain closed to any visitors. As we cautiously move forward we will continue to follow guidelines from state and local authorities to protect the health and safety of the people we support and our staff. I have no doubt that the  INNOVATION
and COMPASSION that has guided us since mid-March will continue to guide us through the next weeks and months, thus improving our operations in the long
term.

I want to also take this opportunity to thank our funders and collaborative partners for their trusted communication and guidance during these uncertain times. 

Thank you for your continued support of our missi on and please stay healthy.
As always, I want to hear from you. Please contact me at 513-241-2600
(extension 211) or by  email .

Regards,

Rob Festenstein
 
PS -Coming in June: Our newsletter will showcase all of our Values, our new Vision statement and the full 2020-2023 Strategic Plan.

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Please join us in saying farewell  to exiting CILO Board Member, Jan Hatcher. Jan generously gave her time, talent and treasure to support our mission
Thank you, Jan.


Update: YOLO Summer Program 

We are sorry to share that we have decided that it is in our best interest to cancel our YOLO Summer Program this year due to COVID-19. We do not feel we can responsibly provide the best level of support required to assure the health and safety of the students, interns, staff and visitors. The continued social distancing will be counterproductive to the social aspect of the YOLO program, and will most likely impact the presenters and field trips that were being planned. 
 
This year would mark our 8th year of providing a meaningful summer experience for transition age youth with disabilities, thus making this decision very difficult. We know the students look forward to this unique experience as much as our staff and interns look forward to working with them. We look forward to YOLO returning in 2021.


 
May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Awareness Month strives to reduce the stigma (negative attitudes and misconceptions) that surrounds mental illnesses.  Its purpose is to raise awareness and educate the public about mental illnesses,  the realities of living with mental illness, and strategies for attaining mental health and wellness. Learn more here from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
 


Everyone can benefit from this fitness series at home

 



At this time this celebratory event is still being held; however, we will continue to follow the local and state guidelines related to holding an event of this nature.



Employee Anniversary

Congratulations to Suzanne Hopkins , Director of Programs, celebrating 4 years at CILO.


 
Did you know that shopping online with Amazon can benefit CILO?  
Eac h time you make a qualifying purch ase 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.


Community Rewards Program
Learn how shopping at Kroger can benefit our programs and services throughout the year. Read more here!


Do you have a question about how you can support CILO?
Contact Debbie Moorehous, Director of Advancement 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 Ext. 123 or send your request via email.