February 2025 Newsletter

February 2025

From the Executive Director

Dear Independence Alliance Supporters,

Each February our attention seems to shift to Pennsylvania to see whether or not Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow and if we can look towards more winter or an early spring. While this is far from scientific, it is quite nostalgic. Regardless of what happens on Groundhog Day (February 2), Independence Alliance is planning for a busy year ahead!

We are looking forward to empowering people with disabilities through some of the following programs and events:

We have two new peer support groups for 2025 – we have added a second monthly meeting for Disability Q*mmunity, and we now have a Disability Rights Peer Support Group that meets monthly.

Living Well in the Community (LWIC) is a 10-week series for any person with a disability above the age of 18 and begins March 20.

We are once again a charity partner in the Piggest Raffle Ever raising funds for our mission-related projects.

Independence Alliance will again have a team participating in PigAbilities in the Flying Pig Marathon on Saturday, May 3.

We are a charity partner for the Abilities at Bat event at GABP on Saturday, May 24.

We will continue our partnership assuring accessibility for Cincinnati Pride on Saturday, June 26.

We will be celebrating the 35^th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (July 26) and participating in several events during Disability Pride Cincy throughout July.

Stay updated by following us on Facebook and look for updates in our monthly newsletters and announcements. As always, I enjoy hearing from our supporters and invite you to contact me by email or by calling 513-338-5100.

Stay warm and may we continue to go from strength to strength!!

Sincerely,

Rob

Rob Festenstein

Executive Director

P.S.- A bit of disability trivia - the first person who can name the man wearing the cowboy hat at the signing of the ADA on July 26, 1990, will win a $10 Kroger gift card. Email your answer!

Seeking Input for IL Services in Kentucky

The Kentucky Independent Living Network is seeking your input on their Statewide Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) to include several important changes including:

expanding the five core IL services to all 120 Kentucky counties
adding a new CIL, Independence Alliance, to the SPIL to serve eight counties in Northern Kentucky
creating a plan for program expansion

Your input on this plan is welcome. To obtain a copy of the plan, or to provide your input send an email or call 270-238-0789. There will also be a virtual public comment session on 2/25/2025 from 11am to 1pm (EST) at this Zoom link.

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!

February Employee Anniversaries

Join us in congratulating the following employees:

Jenise Brassell, Independent Living Skills Specialist, celebrating 2 years

Jymi Bolden, Art Beyond Boundaries Gallery Director, celebrating 18 years

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.)

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Email us!

This publication is available in an alternate format upon request.

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