January 8, 2025

Community Connections Newsletter

New This Issue...

Check out what's new this issue!

  • Cookies and Connections: Community Safety
  • Ice Skate With the Miami Redhawks
  • The Future is Now; March Series
  • Driving With a Disability
  • SALT Talks: Employment Networking, the Workplace & the Providers Role
  • Therapeutic Recreation Kicks Off in January!
  • Win a Super Bowl Weekend Package

Join the Speak Up Self Advocacy Group!

Tuesday, January 28 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Join the advocacy group Speak Up sponsored by the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities! Everyone can be a self-advocate! Meetings occur once a month at the Janet Clemmons Center and are focused on ways to advocate for yourself and your community. If you have any questions please contact Courtney Hineman at crhineman@butlerdd.org or Lynn Goodwin at mgoodwin@butlerdd.org.

Tim Tebow's a Night to Shine

Friday, February 7 from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

This is the eleventh year for the Night to Shine event which is sponsored by The Tim Tebow Foundation. Night to Shine is a complimentary event for people with special needs hosted by local churches around the world. The event is open to anyone living with disabilities, ages 14 and older. Each event is unique to its location, but some cornerstone activities included across all of them are a red carpet entrance complete with a warm welcome from a friendly crowd and paparazzi, hair and makeup stations, shoeshines, limousine rides, karaoke, gifts, a catered dinner, a Sensory Room, a Respite Room for parents and caregivers, dancing, and a crowning ceremony where every guest is honored as a King or a Queen. The event will take place at Christ Church located at 5165 Western Row Road in Mason, Ohio. To learn all about a Night to Shine visit the website!

TO VOLUNTEER - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/night-to-shine-2025-volunteer-registration-choose-one-area-tickets-1056657203139

GUEST REGISTRATION - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/night-to-shine-2025-guest-registration-tickets-1058652741849

OASIS ENCOUNTER REGISTRATION - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/night-to-shine-2025-oasis-encounter-for-parentsguardians-tickets-1058719250779

GROUP HOME REGISTRATION (maximum of 10 tickets per home) - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/night-to-shine-2025-group-home-registration-limited-to-10-tickets-tickets-1065655005809

Cookies and Connections: Community Safety

Thursday, February 20 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Join us in learning practical tips on community safety, water safety, and wandering prevention. This session will take place at the Janet Clemmons Center located at 282 N. Fair Ave. in Hamilton, Ohio. Register on our website today at https://www.butlerdd.org/events/cookies-and-connections-community-safety/.

Register by scanning the QR code or by visiting our website! We have a few reminders for the event! Please if possible arrive at 1:15 p.m to give yourself time to rent your skates and put them on. Also, please note that skate rental is $2.50, and they only take credit card. We suggest wearing socks that go a little higher, so the skates will not rub on the lower ankle area. We will be doing a group picture first thing so that we don’t miss anyone that might leave before our time is up. Please eat lunch before you arrive or bring a snack with you. No food or drinks will be provided. 

The Future is Now; March Series

Tuesday, March 4, Wednesday, March 5, Tuesday, March 11, and Wednesday March 12 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Create a plan for your loved one so their care continues when you are no longer able to provide it. Each session offers an opportunity to learn more about important topics:

Hopes, dreams, and worries for the future

Expanding personal networks

Maximizing public benefits (SSI/SSDI/Social Security, STABLE accounts, and Trusts)

Future living arrangements

Supports for caregivers

Keepers of the dream


Who?

Parents, caregivers, individuals with developmental disabilities, and siblings are encouraged to attend as a family unit.


How will it work?

Sessions will be hosted by people with a passion for helping individuals and families prepare for the future. Participation is limited to eight families per session. You MUST attend all sessions within the series.


Where?

The Janet Clemmons Center 282 N. Fair Ave., Hamilton, OH 45011. A meal will be provided.


Registration must be completed 1 week before the session begins! Please contact Lisa Tirey at ltirey@butlerdd.org or 513-785-4667 if you have any questions.


REGISTER TODAY: https://www.butlerdd.org/events/the-future-is-now-march-session/

Best Buddies Friendship Walk

Saturday, April 12 from 11:15 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

The Best Buddies Friendship Walk is the leading event in the country supporting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Join more than 50,000 participants at 80 events across the globe to support the Best Buddies programs in schools, workplaces, and communities. You’ll be making the world more welcoming to people with IDD — one friendship, one job, and one life-changing connection at a time. This year's Cincinnati Best Buddies Friendship Walk will be held once again at Marcum Park in Downtown, Hamilton, Ohio. Once registered for the walk, you’ll gain access to your personal fundraising page that you can personalize and keep track of your fundraising efforts. Individuals who raise $50 or more will receive our exclusive event t-shirt on walk day! Check in for the walk begins at 10:30 a.m. Best Buddies is also looking for sponsors for the walk! To create a team, register for the walk as an individual, donate, or become a sponsor visit the Best Buddies Friendship Walk website: https://www.bestbuddiesfriendshipwalk.org/cincinnati/. Did you miss the walk last year? Check out our video that captured all the memorable moments!

Online Events & Trainings

Virtual Programming for the entire month!

Every single day in January!

We have partnered with We Thrive Together and are excited to share their monthly events! Each day of the month We Thrive Together features virtual events that you can register for. Find anything from games to fitness to advocacy! After registering for a virtual event you will receive an email with a link to the event. You may register through the We Thrive Together website or contact Alyssa through email at Alyssa@WeThriveTogether.org or call 1-866-584-5640. Register for an event! Want to know what's going on daily at We Thrive Together? Sign up for text message alerts by texting "wethrivetogether" to (855) 680-2486!

Autism and WE Peer Support Call

Every 1st and 3rd Thursday from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

AUTISM AND WE is a collaborative of Parents, Clinicians, Caregivers, and Educators whom all share a common goal. To support, educate and advocate for a unique segment of the population misunderstood, underrepresented, and often forgotten. During the monthly meetings, Autism and WE will present a variety of speakers, trainers, and representatives from various community resources. The goal is to improve the lives of those with Autism and other Developmental Disorders through open forums and discussions. Register for the Zoom link!

SALT Talks Lunch & Learn: Assistive Technology

Wednesday, January 8 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

SALT Talk is a monthly series that provides learning opportunities, along with resources and guidance, to families of children with disabilities so that they can successfully navigate the transition from school to adult life. During this virtual Lunch & Learn session keynote speaker, Carrie Hayes from SafeinHome, will explore living safely independently with Assistive Technology. All are welcome to attend! Please email your request to prtpattis@gmail.com. Register for the SALT Talk! For more information on the SALT Talk and registration details visit the BCBDD event page on Facebook!

SALT Talks: Making Budgets Work & Debt Management

Tuesday, January 21 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

During this virtual session keynote speaker, Kristina Markiewicz and Gina Schenk, will provide a “How to” Session regarding budgeting and organizing money. Both presenters are both financial planners and parents.  All are welcome to attend! CEUs have been approved for those with an SSA certification who attend the full session. If you requested CEUs, you should receive your certificate of completion approximately two weeks after the session. Please email your request to prtpattis@gmail.com. Register for the SALT Talk! For more information on the SALT Talk and registration details visit the BCBDD event page on Facebook!

Driving With a Disability

Thursday, January 23 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

How do you know if your teen or young adult is ready to drive? What can you work on at home to prepare for learning to drive? How do you know if it is safe for your loved one to drive with their disability? What can you expect during a driving assessment? Who do you contact for an assessment? Speaker, Julie Dominik, OT/L, Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist, and Licensed Driving Instructor at Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital will be walking you through your concerns and questions! Register for the virtual Zoom session.

SALT Talks: Building Life Skills/Preparing for Independent Living

Tuesday, January 28 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

During this virtual session keynote speaker, Amie Duncan, Ph.D. Associate Professor Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, will discuss how to target daily living skills (e.g., hygiene, cooking, cleaning, money management) in order to build independence in adolescence and adulthood. All are welcome to attend! CEUs have been approved for those with an SSA certification who attend the full session. If you requested CEUs, you should receive your certificate of completion approximately two weeks after the session. Please email your request to prtpattis@gmail.com. Register for the SALT Talk! For more information on the SALT Talk and registration details visit the BCBDD event page on Facebook!

SALT Talks: Employment Networking, the Workplace, and the Providers Role

Tuesday, February 4 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

During this virtual session keynote speaker, Mark Millering, will discuss what an employment provider is and how they can help navigate the path to employment. All are welcome to attend! CEUs have been approved for those with an SSA certification who attend the full session. If you requested CEUs, you should receive your certificate of completion approximately two weeks after the session. Please email your request to prtpattis@gmail.com. Register for the SALT Talk! For more information on the SALT Talk and registration details visit the BCBDD event page on Facebook!

Therapeutic Recreation Tennis kicks off in January!

Begins Thursday, January 9 from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Therapeutic Recreation Tennis will be kicking off in January of 2025 with time on the court with Coach Patrick at Mercy Healthplex located at 3050 Mack Road, Fairfield. New players age 18 and older are always welcome. No tennis skills are required to join as each player is taught at his/her own pace. We have been given a terrific discount; the weekly fee is paid by each player on a rotating basis: the more players, the less the cost and frequency of paying. Now is the time to take a swing at learning a new sport in a fun and non-competitive environment. Contact Gail Webster at confusion@fuse.net for more information.

Advocacy Wednesdays

Every Wednesday at 11:00 a.m.

The Ohio Self Determination Association (OSDA) is partnering with We Thrive Together every Wednesday to talk advocacy! If you are looking for leadership opportunities for members of the advocacy group in your county or region, you can create an opportunity for disability experts (people who live with a disability) by contacting Dana Charlton at osda2011@gmail.com or call 614-563-0788 for more information. Join the meeting via Zoom every Wednesday!

Win a Super Bowl Weekend Package

Deadline to enter is Thursday, January 9

Envision is raffling off 2 Tickets to the 2025 Super Bowl in Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, February 9th. Accommodations include two nights in a 2 bedroom property near the French Quarter February 8-10. You will also receive $500 for travel expenses The first runner up will receive tickets to a Cincinnati Reds game. The 2 tickets will be Terrace Line or 4 View Level seats to a 2025 game of your choice. You must be 21 or older to win. Funds raised by the raffle will benefit support services for children and adults with developmental disabilities in the Greater Cincinnati region. Visit the Envision website to purchase raffle tickets!


2025 New Provider Office Hours

Autism Connections Events and Resources

Are you looking for autism-related resources? Do you have questions about a new diagnosis? Do you know what questions to ask? Contact the Autism Connections Autism Helpline at 513-561-2300 ext. 101 for guidance, assistance, and understanding. You may also ask your questions by emailing info@autismcincy.org. Check out upcoming programs and other community events on the Autism Connections website calendar!

We would never be able to do all that we do without our amazing community! THANK YOU for coming alongside us in support of the individuals and families we serve!
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