Community Connections Newsletter
Needed & Available
ITEMS AVAILABLE
  • Toothbrushes
  • Disposable briefs/pullups- small, medium, lag
  • "I have Autism" and "I have an Intellectual Disability self ID cards for interacting with first responders.
 
ITEMS NEEDED
  • Kroger gift cards
  • Small kitchen table and chairs
  • Two punching bags with two pairs of adult gloves
  • Adapted Trike

Contact the Community Connections Team at communityconnections@butlerdd.org or 513-785-2813 in regard to any item listed above.
Donate to Goodwill
For every donation made to Goodwill on our behalf, we receive a voucher to be able to support people with developmental disabilities. If you or someone you know is going to Goodwill to donate anything, please make sure that they are taking a donation form.
Hamilton Police Department Open House
Thursday, August 5 from 5- 8 p.m.
This event is free and open to the public. Come visit your police department. Free food, drinks, games and more. Fun for all ages. Click here for the flyer.
Story Walk Obstacle Course
Saturday, August 7 - all day
Take a story walk around the Fairfield Lane Library completing an obstacle at each stop. This event is for ages 11 and under.
Family Farm Storytime: Wiggly Worms
Saturday, August 7 from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Enjoy our wormy picture book reading, wiggle your body like a worm, and hold one of our red wigglers in this interactive family storytime! Join Gorman Heritage Farm in the Children’s Garden for this wiggly Family Farm Storytime! Click here to purchase tickets.
Farm Encounters Walk
Saturday, August 7 from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Discover the hidden gems of Gorman Heritage Farm in this interactive farm tour for all ages! Taste their garden veggies, join the animals in their pasture, learn to feed chickens, and walk through their historic buildings in this guided farm walk! Click here to purchase tickets.
Story Time at Fairfield Parks
Wednesdays August 11- August 24 at 10:00 a.m.
For ages 6 and under, visit a Fairfield Park for a weekly story with your favorite Fairfield Librarians. Download the flyer for location by date.
Yoga on the Farm
Friday, August 13 from 8:00 - 8:45 a.m.
Wake up with the farm with relaxing yoga poses. Bring your yoga mat and water bottle to this morning yoga class for beginners and novices alike. You'll experience the sounds of the farm and smells of the garden as you move through a series of guided yoga poses in our outdoor pavilion. Click here to purchase tickets.
The Future Is Now
Tuesdays, Sept. 14 and 21 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Create a plan for your child so their care continues when you are no longer able to provide it. Each session offers an opportunity to learn more about important topics including: Expanding personal networks, Maximizing public benefits (SSI/SSDI/Social Security, STABLE accounts, and Trusts), and Future living arrangements. Register by Friday, September 3. To learn more, click here.
Hispanic Latino American Heritage Month Festival
Friday, September 17 at 5:30 p.m.
The UniDiversity Festival is a collaborative effort to promote diversity and inclusion in our community, and it is also a chance to learn more about the valuable contributions of the Latin American, Latino, and Caribbean peoples and cultures. At Oxford Uptown Memorial Parks High St. & Main St., Oxford, OH 45056
The Young Social Crew
The Young Social Crew is working on a plan for their August event. Please check out their Facebook page to learn more.
Online Events & Trainings
Wonderful World of Waivers - the Arc of Ohio
Thursday, August 12 from 6 - 8 p.m.
Join Gary Tonks, President/CEO of The Arc of Ohio, as he explains Ohio's Developmental Disability Waivers, current advocacy efforts, and recent changes, with an update specifically related to pending simplification of the Level 1 and SELF Waivers. Click here to register.
August Online events with We Thrive Together
Every day in August!
We Thrive Together has many online opportunities every single day throughout the month of August. To view their online calendar and register, click here.
Safety Training And Risk Reduction Class
Tuesday, July 13 - Tuesday, August 24 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Project Care is offering a 7-week session that focuses on healthy sexuality & relationships, personal rights, and empowerment. To download the flyer, click here.
Annual Virtual Tech Fest
Tuesday, August 24 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Join OSDA for their annual virtual tech fest hosted on Zoom. This event is open to advocates, providers, family members, staff, SSAs and more. No need to register. To join the meeting, click here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83489787593
Home Think Tank with Hamilton DD
Wednesday, August 25 from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Focused on Apartment Living: Building a Community of Supports and Contribution. Renters with disabilities and their families share lived experiences. Click here to learn more.
Peer-Led Support Group for Male Identifying Persons!
Tuesday, August 31 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Join Project CARE for this peer-led support group where people with developmental and/or intellectual/cognitive disabilities can connect and share their experiences. Click here to learn more.
Shape Our Future - Survey
Every year, Disability Rights Ohio gathers public input from the Ohioans with disabilities, advocates, allies, and partner organizations to help shape their work. You can complete the survey by clicking this link.
Seeking family caregivers of children age 2 - 6 with IDD
Help UCEDD evaluate a new web-based resource being developed for family caregivers of children with Intellectual or Developmental Disability (IDD). This is a PAID RESEARCH STUDY. Click here for more information.
Join Speak Up
Our self-advocacy group for ages 16+ needs you! Join us via Zoom to hear about important topics that impact you and learn how to make a difference for yourself and your community! We meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 6 - 7 p.m. Contact Courtney Hineman for more information at crhineman@butlerdd.org
Join Best Buddies Citizens Chapter
The Best Buddies Citizens Chapter is in need of community members to be paired with adults who have developmental disabilities in one-to-one friendship matches based on age, personality, interests and location. Matches develop their friendships by spending time together throughout the year. If you are interested in joining, contact Jenny at jamann@butlerdd.org or 513-785-2813. Click here to view the flyer.
Summer Youth Work Experiences
If you have a child, 14 years of age or older with a disability, reach out to OOD for more information on how we can help your child with career exploration, skill development, and strategies to get a job after graduation. Counselors begin talking with students and their parents about next summer’s opportunities starting in the fall. To find out more, visit the OOD Students 14+ webpage.
A Reference Guide to DD Self-Advocacy Groups in Ohio
This new resource distributed by the Adult Advocacy Centers is a comprehensive list of contact information for statewide and county-level groups throughout the state. the publication is a joint effort between the AACs and Ohio's DD Council, with support from the state's independent living centers. Click here to check it out.
Advocacy Guide for People with Developmental Disabilities
This new resource distributed by the Adult Advocacy Centers outlines strategies for developing advocacy skills and information to help victims of crime navigate the criminal justice system. Click here to check it out.
SkillsMatch Tool
Ohio Means Jobs recently launched a tool that allows job seekers to directly upload their resume to OhioMeansJobs.com, select the skills on their resume to match with potential job opportunities, and watch in real-time as the tool displays which skills line up with a particular job posting. Additionally, SkillsMatch will show job seekers which skills are missing from their resume based on keywords in job postings on the site, giving them the opportunity to improve and update their resume so they can have a better chance of matching with the kind of position they are seeking.
COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments and Behavioral Support
Cincinnati Children's is offering emotional or behavioral supports for COVID-19 vaccinations. Click here to download the flyer.
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!