CLI Incorporated

P.O. Box 508

Norwalk, Ohio 44857

CLIsupports.com

419-706-5137

Week of Labor Day

2023

It's a bit hard to see, but we had this guy

(or gal?) hanging out over the

Firelands Local Workshop last week

John's usual--

It's a short week this week. I hope everyone had a great long weekend. It's a good time to reflect on the importance of America's labor rights, and the hard work of previous generations that fought for all those normal workplace expectations that we all now take for granted. Recently with all the labor shortages, I also am very grateful for the people who choose to go to work. Without workers, nothing happens. On the positive side, the fact that there are not enough workers to go around has meant that this is a great opportunity for people with developmental disabilities find a community job and/or switch jobs to pursue another vocational interest. It's easy to take this for granted, but historically, it's been hard for people with disabilities to find jobs. CLI wants to help more people find work. I would encourage everyone to explore potential work. I realize that this can seem scary, but with the right supports a community job can be just as safe as a traditional sheltered workshop job-- and you don't have to give up the friends & coworkers you already have. You'll just meet more people and CLI will help you maintain your existing friendships after your community job shift.

Thanks for everyone's patience with our transportation glitches last week. One of our wheelchair van lifts is out of service for at least a couple weeks-- and we're still adjusting to Jen's absence. I know that pick-up & drop-off times for some of you were a bit off. We'll get this dialed in. In the meantime, we've included the list of individual staff contacts (cell phones & email). Please text or leave a voice message if you need to cancel or change transportation. Staff probably will not be able to pick up or respond right away (especially if they're driving)-- but they will pass your information around our internal distribution list so that we can adjust routes. It's definitely helpful to know ahead of time.

I know that it feels like summer is over, but honestly Ohio's best weather of the year happens in September & October (IMHO). Get outside and enjoy it. Wash those hands when you come back in though! Have a great week.

John

And speaking of Labor Day-- the usual CLI do-gooders donated their labor to the Huron County Humane Society last week

Do you know anyone looking for a special event space for your next party-- one that's definitely not cookie-cutter

but still 100% wheelchair friendly?

CLI rents out our property at 16 West Main Street

anytime we're not using it.

Just let Holly know if you'd like to take a look!

When CLI makes money renting out our spaces like 16 West or Kenilee Lanes-- that cold, hard cash goes right back into CLI programs. Win-Win!

Firelands Local LLC

James Johnson james@firelandslocal.com 419-921-6400

Interested in how the median income

for Ohio workers with disabilities

compares to the rest of the United States?

Are you into gaming? CLI hosts a gaming hour every afternoon at the FL Workshop at 2pm!

Or maybe crafting is your jam?

We've got that too! Just let Carole know that you're interested & she'll hook you up!

Announcing CLI's newest service exclusively offered to people who are community employed--

 because there's more to life than the daily grind!

We believe that lifetime learning and playing shouldn't stop after high school or after you get your

first "real" job! CLI wants to help you continue to grow and/or to enjoy the fruits of your labor!

CLI's Good Works Cafe offers a free community lunch every Friday afternoon at the Norwalk Reservoir Clubhouse.

Thanks to the generous donations (money & food), CLI is able to take care of our neighbors and also get some real life restaurant and customer service job training.

 ** Important new change! **

Due to the increased need in our community,

we will no longer take pre-orders for the free lunches.

We are open from 11:30 until meals run out. The limit per person will be 6 so we can better serve those in need. Sorry for any inconvenience.

If you'd like to learn more or would like to donate to this cause--

please contact Kay Schoen by email at Kay@CLIsupports.com

Question of the week

Q: How do I learn more about a community job?

A: Great question! CLI is supposed to be helping everyone consider their vocational options in our regular, day-to-day operations. We especially believe this is important for our younger clients, because we worry that it becomes harder and harder to succeed in the workplace the longer you are away from the structures & expectations of the normal working world. Kids start with lots of potential, but that potential doesn't always hang around at the same levels for 20+ years until an opportunity is forced on you. We believe that the sooner we help people explore their working options and ambitions, the better!

So, if you're interested, just let any of us at CLI know and we'll put the word in with your ISP team and also brainstorm on our own about how we can help you learn more about community job opportunities.

Video(s) of the Week:

CLI's three-part mission

• increase the earnings, status & quality of life of people with developmental disabilities
• increase the earnings, status & quality of life of people who support people with developmental disabilities
• actively work to improve the communities in which we all live