July 2021
Empowering people with disabilities to lead independent and inclusive lives in the community.

A Message from Our Executive Director

Dear Friends,
Last December, CILO was awarded a grant from the Administration for Community Living through the Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council (OSILC) to provide ramps and/or home modifications for people with paralysis to allow them to safely maneuver within their home and/or exit their home in case of an emergency. 

We are most grateful to OSILC for their confidence in us to administer this generous grant, but we simply could not have done this without the capable services of our colleagues at People Working Cooperatively and Whole Home ModificationsThey played a vital role in assessing the requested modifications and creating the solutions to solve the barriers people face in their own home. This longtime professional collaboration was especially beneficial to the expedition of this grant. We take this opportunity to praise the continued good work of PWC and Whole Home Modifications and their commitment to assuring safe and healthy homes across the region.

Several members of our staff worked together to assure that the objectives of this unique grant were met. My thanks to Debbie Moorehous for acting as Project Manager, Patrick Ober for developing and facilitating an individualized emergency plan for each consumer, and Suzanne Hopkins for assisting in the review and approval of each application received. Through this grant we were able to complete six projects that included ramps, door widening, and other modifications. 

It has been so gratifying to have feedback like this: “Oh, these ramps look so nice, and I am super happy/thankful! I want to thank all of you for making this happen for us.”

While the OSILC grant is coming to an end, I am happy to share that there is still other federal funding available through CILO for people in need of home modifications whose independence has been or may be compromised as a result COVID 19. To learn more about the criteria, or for additional information, please feel free to contact me. 

As always, I want to hear from you. Contact me at 513-338-5100 or by email.
Regards,

Rob Festenstein

P.S. I once again have a $10 Starbucks gift card to the first person to contact me by email indicating you have read my message. 


Are you or someone you know in need of transportation to receive a COVID vaccine?
CILO can assist! Email us.
Register by July 6th!!


Sip for a Cause at Rhinegeist Brewery
1910 Elm Street, Cincinnati. Ohio


Wednesday, July 28
5pm to 8pm


Benefitting:
Center for Independent Living Options

CILO Receives New Project Grant!

CILO is happy to announce that the CareSource Foundation has awarded a grant to support our Bed for Everyone Project. Through this grant, CILO will provide a bed and bedding essentials to people with disabilities that have established permanent housing but cannot afford to purchase their own bed. There are numerous health benefits of sleeping in a bed rather than being sleep deprived from sleeping on the floor or in a chair; sleep recharges the brain, allowing it to learn and make memories and can improve mood and relationships. The Bed for Everyone Project will give people with disabilities an opportunity to boost their self-esteem by prioritizing sleep and improving how they feel about themselves. A good night’s rest can lead to more success at living independently.

We thank the CareSource Foundation for sharing our compassion in demonstrating respect, support and care towards all people with disabilities.  

Good Things Happening!

We were fortunate to have volunteers from 7 Hills Church bring their Heart the City Project back to CILO this year. Seven motivated volunteers spent an afternoon pressure washing the exterior of our building and doing other maintenance around our property.

Some of our other recent improvements include:

  • Repaving our parking lot and expanding our accessible parking

  • Completing a major landscape cleanup

  • Updating outdoor lighting and security

  • Indoors, our staff kitchen got a few upgrades including a new Keurig coffee maker, new microwave and a new refrigerator/freezer  
Easy Ways to Support CILO's
Emergency Assistance Funds:


Want to help make a difference while you shop in the Amazon app, at no extra cost to you?


Simply follow the instructions below to select "Independent Living Options Inc" as your charity and activate AmazonSmile in the app. They'll donate a portion of your eligible mobile app purchases to us.
How it works:
1. Open the Amazon app on your phone
2. Select the main menu (=) & tap on "AmazonSmile" within
Programs & Features
3. Select "Independent Living Options Inc" as your charity
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to activate AmazonSmile in
the mobile app 


You can support CILO with every Kroger purchase just by using your
Kroger Plus Card!


Employee Anniversaries

Congratulations:
Patrick Ober, J.D., Ph.D., Disability Rights and Advocacy Specialist celebrates one year with CILO.

Stephanie Johnson, Support Services Specialist celebrates three years with CILO.
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