April 2025 Newsletter

April 2025

From the Executive Director

Dear Independence Alliance Supporters,

One of the easiest and best ways you can support our mission is to participate in community events that build awareness of people with disabilities. Now is the time to plan for two unique opportunities taking place in May. You can have fun and help build awareness at the following signature events:

PigAbilities

Join the Independence Alliance team of consumers, staff, and supporters on Saturday, May 3 at 1pm for PigAbilities, a movement of inclusion that supports our families and friends who live with disabilities. The one-mile event is designed for participants and supporters of participants to run, walk, or roll at their own pace so they can cross the official Flying Pig Finish Swine. Since 2013, this one-mile walk has been a signature event for athletes with disabilities who have a desire to be part of a bigger event, the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon. Be sure to stop by our booth in Smale Park before or after the walk! See our ad below for more information and the link to register!

Abilities at Bat

On Saturday May 24, join us for Abilities at Bat at Great American Ball Park. This event highlights and celebrates people of all abilities in our community while building awareness of disability services such as those provided by Independence Alliance. All ticket holders can participate in the on-field parade prior to the game. This event promises a truly memorable experience. (Tickets will sell quickly as the Reds host the Chicago Cubs). See our ad below for more information and the link to purchase tickets!

I look forward to seeing you next month at these exciting events, if not sooner! I always enjoy hearing from you, please feel free to contact me by phone at 513-338-5100 or by e-mail.

Take care,

Rob

Rob Festenstein

Executive Director

P.S. This Month’s Disability Trivia Contest takes on a Baseball Theme: Who is the one MLB player with a physical disability to throw a no-hitter? The first person to directly email me the correct answer will win a $10 Amazon Gift Card.

PigAbilities is a movement for inclusion that supports our families and friends who live with disabilities. This one-mile event is designed for participants (and supporters of participants) to run, walk or roll at their own pace so they can cross the official Flying Pig Marathon Finish Swine. Since 2013, PigAbilities has been a signature event for athletes with disabilities who have a desire to be part of a bigger event, the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon.

Date: Saturday, May 3

Time: 1:00pm

Location: Downtown Cincinnati - see full details including drop-off areas and parking at https://flyingpigmarathon.com/

Be inspired: https://youtu.be/W9-rWxVqvuk

Each year our staff, family, and friends are thrilled to participate as a team in this empowering event - won't you join us?

· Register by April 16th for only $15 to participate with our team at this link Independence Alliance - help us raise money Race Roster — Registration, Marketing, Fundraising or make a donation in support of our team.

· Registrants can create a personal fundraising page and raise money for Independence Alliance too!

· Registered team member packets (including your event shirt and numbered bib) will be available for pick-up at our office between 9am and 2pm from Monday, April 28 through Thursday, May 1, 2025. Registered participants will receive a medal at the Finish Swine.

· If you are assisting a person with a disability you may register as a Guide at no cost, however you will not receive the event shirt or a medal at the Finish Swine.

· Do you need assistance with the cost of registration? Let us know!

Abilities at Bat Night at Great American Ballpark is Saturday, May 24^th! This event highlights and celebrates individuals with disabilities in our community while building awareness of disability services. With fun giveaways, ceremonies, an on-field parade before the game, a special first pitch, this will be a game to remember! Independence Alliance is proud to be a community partner for this event and we invite you to be a part of the fun. Purchase your game tickets with the information below and select “Independence Alliance” as your charity so a portion of your ticket purchase will support our organization.

All ticket holders are invited to participate in the on-field parade around the warning track before the game!

Purchase tickets:

Abilities at Bat Night | Specials | Tickets | Cincinnati Reds

Home Modification Opportunity

We have one Harmar Pinnacle SL300 Stairlift that was purchased for a consumer through grant funds, professionally installed, and subsequently used only once. The consumer’s family has offered to pass it along to a person who will benefit from having this home modification to help them to live independently. If you have a need for a stairlift, you meet the following criteria, and meet a required on-site assessment, we will provide and professionally install the stairlift at no charge. There is no warranty on this stairlift. A recipient will be selected based on eligibility and best fit for the existing stairlift.

∙ Person with a disability

∙ Lives in own home

∙ Bi-level home preferred (due to length of the stairlift rail)

If you feel you may be eligible or if you have questions, please contact Debbie via email.

Meet Our Team

This month we celebrate our employees and thank them for being part of our mission to empower people with disabilities to lead independent and inclusive lives in the community. Did you know that over 50% of our staff members are people with a disability? We are proud that more than half of our 14-person staff have been with the organization for more than 10 years!

You can Meet our Team on our recently updated website.

Do you plan on visiting Independence Alliance?

We maintain a fragrance-free environment; we ask that you avoid the use of fragranced products when visiting our office.

Please know we are available to discuss your need for accommodations or accessibility for your visit with us. Contact us!

Learn more here about how using your

Kroger Plus Card can support our organization!

Once you have signed up there is nothing more

to do other than use your Kroger Plus Card

at the checkout!

Help us increase the number of households participating by signing up today!

(You will still sign up as supporting Center for Independent Living until further notice.)

Do you know someone that would like to receive our newsletter?

Email us!

This publication is available in an alternate format upon request.

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