Market & Merry tomorrow

Bittersweet's third annual Market & Merry is on December 9 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. This exclusive pop-up holiday shopping event takes place at the Market at Bittersweet Gardens. Shop local, give with purpose, and positively impact lives as you prepare for the holidays. In addition to shopping, this year’s event will include a hot cocoa bar, photos with Santa, holiday tours of the Bittersweet Barn, and live wreaths for sale! Click here to see the event on their website.

Creative Expressions Art Workshop Dec. 12

NAMI is offering a FREE Virtual art workshop titled "Finding our Light" from 10 - 11:30 a.m. on December 12. Art supplies will be provided and delivered to your home (must be from Lucas County). Limited space - must register by Dec. 8! Click here to email Kristen Zientek and specify you would like to attend the Creative Expressions workshop on Dec. 12.

Inclusive Arts & Crafts on Dec. 13

The Toledo Lucas County Public Library is having an inclusive arts & crafts session from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 13 at the main library, featuring a variety of arts and crafts projects. Make and take! Ages 11+. Click here for full details. 

Common Ground Social Group on Dec. 14

Lucas DD's Common Ground and Friend Network is for people 18+ to gather together and build lasting, sustainable friendships and connections. The last session of the year is on Dec. 14 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at our Larc Lane campus. Click here for full details. Questions? Contact your SSA or click here to email Deb Tyree.

Free Jumping at Get Air on Dec. 16

Join the Autism Society of Northwest Ohio for some FREE jumping for everyone on Dec. 16, from 8 - 10 a.m. RSVP by contacting Kate Schwartz at executivedirector@asno.org and include the number of attendees from each family, first name, last name and date of birth. Complete the online waiver by clicking here. Limited to the first 100 registrants.

Santa-Paws Party on Dec. 16

The Ability Center is having their Santa-Paws Party from 10 a.m. to noon on Dec. 16! Have some Holiday FUN with the whole family at this inclusive event. There will be games, cooking, crafts, peppermint sensory dough, exploration playroom, PLUS Santa and his dog helper for photos. (Families with and without disabilities encouraged to attend.) Click here to register! For questions, contact Jennifer Engelmann, Youth Family Services Coordinator at jengelmann@abilitycenter.org or 419.885.5733. 

Sibshops on Dec. 16

Does your child with special needs have a sibling, aged 8-16 years old? This free group is just for them! Sibshops provide young brothers and sisters with peer support and information in a lively, recreational setting. The next meeting is on Dec. 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 3939 Wrenwood Rd, Toledo. To register, click here. For more information, click here.

TOPSoccer on Dec. 17

The Toledo TOPSoccer Program is a free program that offers soccer for anyone (ages 5+) facing special cognitive, physical and/or emotional challenges, including those who are blind, confined to a wheelchair, and those who have autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, or other conditions that impair mobility, strength, and/or comprehension. Come check it out at the Maumee Soccer Centre on December 17 from 2 - 3 p.m. Registration required. Click here for more information and to register.

Lucas DD Board Meeting on Dec. 18

This month's Board of Directors meeting is on Dec. 18 at 5:30 p.m. The meeting is in-person only, and open to the public at Lucas DD's Larc Lane Training Center, 1155 Larc Lane (Entrance O) in Toledo.

Autism Night at Imagination Station on Dec. 19

Join Imagination Station for Autism Family Support Group Night from 4:30 - 6 p.m. on Dec. 19, an inclusive evening where individuals identified with ASD and their families can enjoy the science center and learn together. Explore the exhibits, engage in hands-on activities and watch a sensory-friendly film in the KeyBank Discovery Theater. Admission is $5 (free for members). Advance registration required (even for members). Please register/purchase ticket(s) by clicking here.

Creative Kids Art Workshop on Dec. 19

NAMI of Greater Toledo is offering a FREE art workshop just for kids/teens from 5 - 6:15 p.m. on Dec. 19. Creative Kids provides an opportunity for children/adolescents (6 to 17 years old) to express themselves creatively through art and identify positive coping skills! Click here for full details. Limited space and registration is required to attend. To register your child(ren), please email Kristen Zientek at kzientek@namitoledo.org

Wealth & Wisdom on Dec. 20 (Virtual)

December's Wealth & Wisdom Topic is: Social Security Benefits 2023 Recap/What’s New in 2024? and will include an “Ask Us Anything” panel. This free class is from 6 - 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 20. For December, this class is virtual only. Click here if you would like to pre-register for the Zoom session. Those who pre-register can submit questions in advance! Click here to join the zoom meeting.

Adaptive Sports Winter Sports Registration Open

Registration NOW OPEN for January 2024 Adaptive Ski and Ride events! Space is limited and will fill quickly, so be sure to claim your spot before it's too late. Register by visiting the athlete event calendar, which you can find by clicking here.

Board Closed for Winter Holiday Break Dec. 25 - Jan. 1

The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities will be closed Dec. 25 through Jan. 1, for the winter holiday break. On-call staff are available 24/7 on our Emergency/After Hours line at 419-380-5100. Regular office hours resume on Jan. 2.

Public Speaking/Career Coaching Program for Disabled Women

Disability EmpowHer Network has opened applications for EmpowHer Expressions, a public speaking and career coaching program for disabled women to improve their public speaking skills and confidence in order to achieve success in the working world. EmpowHer Expressions is an 8-week virtual program with regular assignments, weekly 30 minute 1-on-1 mentor meetings, and 90-minute virtual class periods every Monday 7pm- 8:30pm ET starting March 4, 2024. Participants learn about and practice important soft skills including perfecting elevator speeches, presenting to various stakeholders, answering and asking tough interview questions, and negotiating their salary and benefits. Disability-specific topics are also covered, like disclosing disability at work and creating accessible meetings and presentations. Click here to access the application. Applications close January 5.

TARPS applications are open for Oregon residents

Find out more about what a qualifying disability is, if you qualify for paratransit travel and the interview process by clicking here (or type in http://bit.ly/TARPSapp). Paratransit service starts in Oregon Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.

ASL version of 'Barbie' coming soon

On Dec. 4, Max announced that Barbie will be released to streaming on Dec. 15 and will be accompanied by an ASL interpretation. The interpretation is performed by Leila Hanaumi, a deaf creator, performer, and writer well known for her viral song interpretations. Click here to read more.

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

HEAP helps Ohioans with a gross annual income of $22,540 for a single-person household and $30,485 for a two-person household to pay their heating bills. Applied directly to the customer’s utility or bulk fuel bill, the benefit can help manage heating costs. Ohioans can visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov to apply online, download a copy of the application or find contact information for a local Energy Assistance Provider (EAP). Applications must be received by May 31, 2024. Click here to learn more.

Inclusive Peer Buddies Program Registration is Open

In 2023, Courageous Community Services (CCS) launched a revolutionary Peer Buddies pilot program. Peer Buddies are neurotypical, non-disabled kids ages 7-17 who join CCS for their two-day camps. Peer Buddies act as friends and role models to our campers. The program was so successful last summer that they are opening enrollment again to the community. Click here to sign up (pick a session; cost is $100).

Disabled-Identifying Actor Needed for Lead Role

Calling all male talent with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as neurodiverse actors! The casting director for the upcoming motion picture "The Dancing Tree" is seeking applications for the lead role of Taylor Hearne. Deadline for submissions is Dec 20. Click here to learn more or apply.

Quote of the Week

"Do not curse the darkness. Instead, light a candle."

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