A Message from Our Executive Director

Dear Friends:

It's hard to believe we are wrapping up another year - the most challenging year many of us have ever lived through! Hopefully, 2021 will bring everyone renewed positivity and hope.

People with disabilities and their families have been impacted this year in ways we never could have imagined. Now more than ever it is important that we provide encouragement and let them know there are people who care. Many of the people and families we serve struggle throughout the year just to provide basic needs and are unable to feel the spirit of the holidays. Our Home for the Holidays Project hopes to generate some of that spirit by delivering baskets of household items and holiday treats to individuals and families who need these items the most!


We need your help to bring holiday joy to as many of our consumers as possible by supporting our Home for the Holidays Project!
  • Choose to participate by yourself or recruit a team
  • Sponsors and basket donors should confirm by November 20th. Confirm by clicking here
  • Get started - your household basket can begin with sturdy container such as a plastic tote or laundry basket, simply fill it with a variety of household items (laundry detergent, cleaning products and toilet tissue are the most needed items)
  • Be creative - add a warm blanket, holiday decorations, books or games!
  • Pre-arrange your basket delivery to CILO before December 15th
  • We will match your basket to an individual or family
  • Not able to shop? Make a cash donation and CILO will build your basket!
Between December 16 and December 23 our employees will be arranging a COVID-19 safe, curbside delivery to the individuals and families that they have recommended to receive these baskets.

I encourage you to not only participate, but to also spread the word to your family, friends and co-workers. Helping other people can be a cure, not just for those in need, but for your soul as well." -Anonymous

Thank you in advance for all your support of CILO and our mission. As always, I want to hear from you. Please contact me at 513-241-2600 (Ext. 211) or by email.

Regards,

Rob Festenstein

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

Don't miss updates and good news by following us on Facebook and Twitter

CILO employees will be off on Thursday, November 26 
and Friday, November 27 for the Thanksgiving 
holiday.

 

Make a difference this holiday. Shop for gifts at smile.amazon.com to generate donations for Independent Living Options Inc.  

Another way to support us - check out our AmazonSmile Charity List for our most needed items.  Just make your purchase and items will ship directly to CILO!

CILO Selected for National Learning Collaborative

CILO is pleased to be one of only nine applicants accepted across the country by the National Council of Independent Living (NCIL) to participate in the
Business Development for Community Living: A Learning Collaborative for Centers for Independent Living to Build Sustainable Programs and Diversify Revenue.  Over the next ten months CILO will collaborate with other CILS to develop an actionable plan for creating a sustainable business proposition to fill an existing community barrier or need for people with disabilities.

One-on-One Virtual Instruction for Youth Continues!
At the Center for Independent Living Options, we continue to offer Pre-Employment Transition Services for youth with disabilities using Zoom.  Scheduling will be flexible to accommodate students' school and work obligations by offering sessions after school or in the evenings. If you or someone you know has a family member that would benefit from Instruction in Self-Advocacy and/or Workplace Readiness Training, please contact Jeanne Menke, Youth Transition Services Specialist, by phone 513.241.2600 ext. 200 or email.  If you have an Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities counselor, they will be happy to assist in getting the process started.  

"Looking forward to seeing you in Zoom-land!"
- Jeanne

Community Resources

At Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, ensuring the health of children and families is a priority. A list of community resources and services families may find helpful related to COVID-19 is available here.  This list includes medical resources, mental health resources, home/utility resources, food resources and more. The list will continue to be updated as new programs and services emerge. 

From our friends at Hamilton County DD Services :

Neighbors in Action-Advocacy. 4-5 p.m. Thursday, November 19. Learn about advocacy and discuss topics such as voting, transportation, technology and more. Click here for details.

 

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 


Congratulations!

Peggy Tucker, Kentucky Program Manager, celebrates 11 years with CILO!

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.