Week of September 15th 2025 | | | It's Friday Night Football Season! Monroeville @ South Central last Friday. Got a team that you'd like to show up for? Let us know. It's great & affordable fun-- and the weather has been awesome! | | |
Have you seen anyone from CLI do something that impressed you? Did we do anything that made you wish we hadn't?
Take 3 minutes and fill out a quick survey to tell us about it. There's a FREE Ohio Lottery Scratch Off ticket in it for you-- and we'll keep it confidential if you want us to.
| | We've found that volunteering with other local charities is a great way to meet people, learn skills, and feel good about yourself because you are helping others. One of these volunteer sites is the local clothing bank | | | |
The Usual--
I hope everyone's found the opportunity to spend some time outside this summer. While I think it's probably been a bit too dry for the farmers, it's been an amazing season for those of us who like to run, bike, hike, or boat. We just put out a one call on Wednesday morning this week announcing the 1 hour delay because of the heavy fog. If you did not get the notification-- available in a voice call, a text, an email, or all three-- let us know so that we can make sure that you are on the distribution list. Just a reminder that the missed call message will show up from my phone number. The system will leave a voice mail message for you if you don't answer. I get a lot of immediate call backs from people thinking that I called them. Incidentally, if you ever do want to talk to me-- always leave a message. I'm typically hard to reach, but if you leave a message, I will call you back.
No news on the Kenilee Wheelchair Accessible Project Fundraising this week. CLI is still at 10% of what we need to make Kenilee fully wheelchair accessible next summer. However, last week the Dorn Foundation told us that they will match up to $15,000 if we can raise that amount between now and December 31st. With this goal in mind, we'll be running a number of small fundraisers this fall. For anyone interested, these are the rough estimates that make up CLI's projected $207K budget for the renovation:
- Architect or Structural Engineer contract $6,000
- Permits $3,000
- Contractor(s) to perform demolition $10,000
- Contractor(s) to build out new interior: raise floor 8", rough in larger than ADA standard bathroom, accessible kitchen & counter. Estimated cost includes flooring + wall surfaces (paint and/or boards) $70,000
- Contractor(s) for new electrical work (bathroom/kitchen area) $20,000
- Contractor(s) for new plumbing work (bathroom/kitchen area) $15,000
- Contractor(s) to install counters, front kitchen , and bathroom fixtures$25,000Contractors to install wheelchair accessible entranceway & facade improvements $40,000
- Misc. $18,000
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That's all I have. Get outside. It's going to be cold, grey Ohio November before you know it!
John
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Want CLI to help you plan & do fun stuff with your friends?
Don't be shy!
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Want to borrow a 5G iPad for the weekend? We'll help you pass an internet and social media curriculum & loan you one of CLI's!
| | Did you know that Firelands Local has jobs starting at $10.71/hour? Email James Johnson at james@firelandslocal.com for more information! | | The Good News from the Good Works Cafe-- | | |
Question of the week
Q: What local football games does CLI go to?
A: We randomly chose a few to get the ball rolling, but our goal is to keep people connected to their local community, so we'll try to suggest games that make sense based on where someone lives or where they grew up. EVERYTHING that CLI does is supposed to be based on personal choice-- so definitely tell us if there's something you want. We can always do something, but if you don't ask, you may never know what was posssible.
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CLI encourages you to contact our politicians to make sure that they know how important and relevant DD services are to you. The reality is that $.66 out of every dollar spent on people with DD in Ohio comes from federal Medicaid dollars. Your voice matters!
Senator John Husted
198 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-3353
Senator Bernie Moreno
B33 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-2315
Representative Jim Jordan
2056 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 225-2676
Representative Robert Latta
2470 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 201510
(202) 225-6405
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Governor Mike DeWine
Riffe Center, 77 S High St 30th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 466-3555
Representative Kelly Deeter
77 South High Street, 13th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 466-9628
Representative D.J. Swearingen
77 South High Street, 13th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 644-6011
Senator Theresa GavaroneSenate Building
1 Capitol Square
First Floor, 138
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 466-8060
Senator Nathan Manning
1 Capitol Square
Ground Floor, 039
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 644-7613
| | There are lots good (many free) activities and music in our area-- find out more by clicking on these links: | | Kenilee Lanes Fall Leagues are forming now! If you & your friends want to field a team-- or if you a single person who wants to find a team-- call 419-668-9933 or email notbowlingalone@gmail.com | | | Missed a newsletter? All of our old ones are achived on our website: | |
Letter to the Editor from "The Columbus Dispatch" last week:
They aren't angels
This is Direct Support Professional Recognition Week. It’s a time to recognize the frontline professionals who make it possible for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live, work and thrive in their communities. In my more than 25 years working in this field, I’ve had the privilege of meeting countless direct support professionals. When people see them in action, they often say things like, “You’re an angel,” or “You’re doing God’s work.” While those comments are meant as compliments, they miss the point.
Direct support professionals are not angels. They are highly skilled professionals. They build relationships, teach skills and provide the support that make community life possible. When we frame this work as charity instead of a profession, we unintentionally send a message that people with disabilities don’t deserve the same professional respect and investment that others do. The truth is, the relationship between these professionals and those they support is the heart of this work.
And yet, direct support professionals remain undervalued and overlooked. Ohio made an important investment in wages through House Bill 33 in 2023, but the workforce shortage remains a crisis. This week, we pause to say thank you — to the professionals who show up every day, who walk alongside people with disabilities and who make independence and inclusion possible.
And beyond this week, we must commit to ensuring that these professionals are supported, respected and fairly compensated for the essential role they play.
-- Pete Moore, president and CEO, Ohio Provider Resource Association
| | Shared Video(s) of the week: | | | | |
