Community Connections Newsletter | | |
Check out what's new this issue!
- Centerpoint Health Back to School Festival
- Apply to become an Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council Member
- Summer Safety Health and Welfare Alert
- 100 things to do in Ohio this summer
- Swim Safety Communication Board
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Butler County Special Olympics Hamilton July 4 Parade
Friday, July 4 at 10:00 a.m.
Join the Butler County Olympics in the Hamilton July 4 Parade! The lineup will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Butler County Fairgrounds. Parade riders should arrive between 9:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Seating on the trailer and truck is limited to 15 athletes. Participants will meet parents/providers at the end of the parade route on Park Street in Hamilton near F Street. RSVP is required. To register to participate and/or decorate the trailer, please email butlercountysooh@gmail.com.
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Kemba Credit Union All-American Bash
Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5 from 12:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Get ready to mark your calendars for the most vibrant and exciting event of the summer - the Kemba Credit Union All-American Bash at Voice of America in West Chester, Ohio! Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting, this two-day festival on July 4-5, 2025, promises to light up the sky and your spirits. From the breathtaking free Fireworks that will illuminate the night to the captivating live music from a national act soon to be revealed, the celebration will be an explosion of color and sound. Indulge your taste buds with delicious offerings from food trucks and vendors, while staying cool with refreshing cold drinks. Kids and adults alike will have a blast with the lively inflatables and family-friendly activities that guarantee fun for all ages. Don't miss out on this unforgettable summer extravaganza where the spirit of America shines brightly with every burst of fireworks and note of music! This event is FREE to attend! Visit the website to learn more!
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Ohio State Fair Sensory-Friendly Morning
Thursday, July 24 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Get ready for another year at the Ohio State Fair! OCALI partnered with OOD and DODD to make the Fair experience more sensory-friendly by turning down the lights and volume. Ride the rides with no flashing lights or music, visit the Fair's many educational and sensory activities in the morning with fewer crowds, and take a break in Natural Resources Park or the soothing Quiet Room. Learn more by visiting the OCALI website!
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Join the Speak Up Self Advocacy Group!
Tuesday, July 24 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.
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Dress For Success Event
Wednesday, August 6 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Dress For Success Cincinnati will be visiting the Janet Clemmons Center (JCC), located at 282 N Fair Ave. in Hamilton, again this year! Dress For Success provides assistance to women in need of appropriate clothing to interview for a job. To participate in the BCBDD Dress For Success Cincinnati event, please fill out the Style Kit Form, which will help volunteers who will work with you to choose an interview outfit, and allow the Styling Manager to prepare tailored styling kits personalized to suit your needs! The event will take place from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Please meet at the Dress For Success Van that will be located in the JCC parking lot when you arrive!
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Resource Butler County Social Services Expo
Friday, August 15 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Attend the 13th Annual Resource Expo! This is an incredible opportunity to share information about your organization and learn more about Butler County's services. The event is free and will be held at Spooky Nook Sports Complex, 601 North B Street in Hamilton, Ohio. Sign up as a vendor!
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GE Band at Keehner Park Concert Series
Saturday, August 16 from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Bring a blanket, chairs, and a picnic to enjoy great live music on the lawn of the park at the Keehner Park Concert Series! The GE Band will be performing outside on the Keehner Park Amphitheater stage, located at 7211 Barret Road in West Chester, on Saturday, August 16. The concert will feature musical guest Title 14. There is no charge for admission, and all guests are welcome to bring food and drink for the evening. Alcohol is not permitted in the park.
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Luke5Adventures Reds Game
Tuesday, September 2 at 6:30 p.m.
Join Luke5Adventures for the first-ever Luke5Adventures Reds game on September 2nd as the Reds take on the Blue Jays! Tickets are $20, and there will be MANY accessible seats reserved for those who need them. If your family needs accessible seats, please request enough for your entire group, not just the person requiring accessibility. For more details and to register, visit Luke5Adventures' website!
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2025 Who Dey Dance
Thursday, September 11 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Wear your favorite football gear and dance the night away with the GE Band at our Annual Who Dey Dance! The dance will take place at Redeemer Church, located at 3431 Hamilton Middletown Road, Hamilton, Ohio 45011. Light snacks and drinks will be provided! The entrance cost will be $1 per person at the door. Please register by Friday, September 5 on our website!
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Hamilton Chalk the Block
Sunday, July 13, and August 10 from 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Chalk the Block is a free, non-profit event dedicated to connecting art and the community. Held once a month at Rotary Park, located at 208 High St. in Hamilton, Ohio, this five-hour event invites kids and families to explore their creativity, meet professional artists, and engage with special guests from various fields. Each event will feature hands-on artistic experiences, themed guest appearances, and opportunities to celebrate self-expression in a welcoming environment, with a special focus on creating a sensory, engaging, and friendly atmosphere. Each of the 3 days Chalk the Block will take place, a different theme will be featured as well as different activities! To volunteer for the Chalk the Block, visit the link! For Artists who would like to sign up for Chalk the Block, visit the link! To keep up to date on all things Hamilton Chalk the Block, visit their Facebook page!
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Apply to become an Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council Member
Application deadline is Friday, August 1
The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council (ODDC) seeks new members to help make a difference for people with developmental disabilities (DD) across the state. The Council works to support independence, inclusion, and opportunities for people with disabilities in the state of Ohio. ODDC wants members who have personal experience with DD and who understand the needs of their communities. As a Council member appointed by Ohio’s Governor, you will help plan advocacy efforts, support community programs, and work on changes that improve the lives of people with DD and their families. Applications are encouraged from individuals with lived experience, immediate relatives or guardians of someone with DD, and professionals working in agencies or nonprofits that serve the DD community. Applicants should have prior experience serving on a board, committee, or advocacy group. Council members are expected to attend six two-day meetings each year, join working committees, and contribute to discussions on policy and funding. Learn more and apply today!
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Hamilton Summer Youth Programming
All Summer Long!
Looking for fun, creative ways to keep your kids engaged this summer? The City of Hamilton, in partnership with 17STRONG, has compiled a brand-new Summer Programming Guide to connect students with exciting activities, camps, and programs happening all across the city during summer break. From laid-back drop-ins to high-energy camps and specialty workshops, there’s something for every age, interest, and schedule. Whether they’re trying something new or diving deeper into a favorite hobby, kids will find welcoming spaces to learn, grow, and make new friends. Check out what you can get your child involved in by visiting the City of Hamilton website!
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Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati Summer Programs
All Summer Long!
The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati's (DSAGC) Summer Programs are here! This summer, the organization put together a wide range of summer programs focused on therapeutic, recreational, educational, and social opportunities for individuals of all ages and stages. These programs are thoughtfully designed to meet the unique needs of local families with the goal of providing meaningful support and high-quality experiences for our community. DSAGC is offering over 55 new and engaging programs. To register and learn more about DSAGC's summer programs, visit their website!
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Summer Safety Health and Welfare Alert
Good preparation is key to summer safety for people with developmental disabilities so that they can avoid health risks such as dehydration, sunburn, and water-related accidents. Educate yourself and loved ones on all things summer safety by reading the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities' summer safety alert!
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100 Things to do in Ohio this summer
Ohio has so many ways to keep you busy throughout the summer months. Explore all the wonderful things Ohio has to offer. Look at this summer's bucket list, or create your own!
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Swim Safety Communication Board
This summer, have fun and stay safe while in the water using DODD's Swim Safety Communication Board! You can learn more about the steps you can take to encourage safe swimming by visiting the DODD website here.
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Outdoors for All Writing Contest Celebrates ADA Milestones With Stories of Empowerment
To mark the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), central Ohio organizers are inviting youth (ages 14–23) and adults (24 and older) to submit prose, poetry, or an ASL-performed statement for a special writing competition. The contest celebrates the ADA’s legacy and the doors it has opened for people with disabilities. Winning writers will receive cash prizes and be invited to present their work at a celebration event on July 11, 2025, at the Columbus Museum of Art. Submissions should respond to the prompt: "The ADA has done things for America’s disability community. What are you doing that might not have been possible without the ADA?" Entries are due by 11:59 p.m. on June 2, 2025, and should be emailed to hello@austindunn.net. Submissions must be from Ohio residents and should be sent as a Word document in an attached email. ASL submissions may be included as a YouTube link. Judges with significant literary and disability experience will evaluate the submissions.
| | 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! | | | | |
