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John's usual--
Congratulations James Johnson & Firelands Local LLC for landing an ODNR Grant to purchase a compactor truck to increase the amount of LDPE film (aka "boatwrap") that we recycle. It will probably allow Firelands Local to add more business cardboard recycling accounts too. CLI's former workshop program has really spread it's wing over the last few years and it's been neat to see things like this take off.
There's been a bit more focus around the state on employment lately. It's been 10 years since Ohio officially became an "employment-first" state for people with DD-- but it's kind of been a pretty frenetic decade and we all were trying so hard to achieve so many disparate goals, that I think our collective attention wandered away from the boring work around work.
Earning a paycheck is a huge part of a quality life and many, many important relationships and connections happen at work. I am excited when people find cool jobs and celebrate longevity on a job. However, there's a reason why people also celebrate the weekends and plan for a retirement after 30-40 years of being a working stiff. Some days going to work can be tedious, but we all push through those days it because it's that work that pays for the rest of our life.
I'm very grateful that the DD field has really embraced both choice and community integration-- BUT, I think that we're doing people a disservice if we don't encourage them to pursue a vocation. That's about both money and purpose. If you can maintain the lifestyle you want without worrying about the paycheck, more power to you. However, in my experience more money usually means more choices. But, if you really can't find any use for extra money, then there are all sorts of meaningful volunteer vocations too.
CLI wants to help more people develop work skills and at least learn more about available jobs in the community. Working for Firelands Local (and making $10.10/hour-- which isn't nothing) is a great way to start working on work skills and explore what you like and maybe hate.
That's al I have for this week. Keep those hands clean!
John
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