Adult Day Programs Show Appreciation of Local First Responders

Participants of Stepping Stones’ Adult Day program showed their support for local police officers and firemen this spring!

Clermont Co. Sheriff’s Office

Located in Batavia, Stepping Stones’ Camp Allyn program assembled a care package for the Clermont Co. Sheriff’s Department.

In the wake of losing one of their own, Deputy Brewer, in the line of duty, the package was greatly appreciated! Shortly after the adult participants made their delivery during a community outing, a signed thank you from Clermont Co. Sheriff Steve Leahy arrived in the mail.

“On behalf of every one of our deputies, I would like to extend our deepest appreciation for your donation of a candy bouquet to our office,” said Sheriff Leahy.

“Words cannot express our appreciation for all the outpouring of kindness after the loss of Deputy Brewer.”

National Do Something Kind for Your Neighbor Day

The BeauVita Adult Day program celebrated “National Do Something Kind for Your Neighbor Day” by hitting the kitchen to bake chocolate chip cookies for their local police and firemen.

Upon making their tasty delivery to the Green Township Fire and Police Department, they mingled with the officers and learned more about their work.

“Our groups were able to interview a Fireman at length,” shared Adult Day Services Coordinator Lisa Stevenson. “At the Police Department, they also were able to speak with an officer who assured our participants he was only a phone call away.”

Stepping Stones thanks all of our local police and firemen for keeping our communities safe.

To learn more about Stepping Stones’ Adult Day Services program, click here.

Adults with Disabilities Explore Employment Options in Adult Day Services

Expanding Horizons and Exploring New Opportunities

Stepping Stones’ programs are known for creating fun memories in the summertime, but they also open doors and enable participants to explore new opportunities they had not yet considered.

Take our Adult Day Services program for example, where adults with a wide-range of disabilities engage in regular Employment Exploration activities.

Participants work in small groups to discuss various jobs, role-play to develop interview and on-the-job problem solving skills and routinely volunteer at organizations like Cincinnati Nature Center to gain first-hand experience assembling mailings and working in an office setting.

Independent Living Experiences

Beyond exploring and observing various employment options, Adult Day participants also expand independence by learning how to use public transportation to travel around Greater Cincinnati.

In the spring, Stepping Stones partnered with Metro to bring a prototype bus to our Norwood program location. Adults familiarized themselves with loading on and off of a public bus and signaled when they wanted to get off at a stop. This is a valuable independent living skill, both for traveling to and from work and expanding access across the city.

Join Us in Supporting Strong Programs at Stepping Stones!

From summer camp and beyond, you can support strong programs at Stepping Stones by making a summer gift. Through your gift, you join us in igniting the spirit of sunshine and building strong, independent futures for peoples with disabilities.

Ignite the Spirit of Sunshine & Make a Gift, Below:

Stepping Stones is a nonprofit, United Way partner agency and recipient of the BBB of Cincinnati’s 2016 Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics. More than 1,000 children and adults with disabilities attend Stepping Stones’ year-round programs, at four beautiful locations in Greater Cincinnati.

To learn more about our Adult Day Services program, click here – or phone (513) 831-4660.

Participant of Stepping Stones Makes His Directorial Debut!

What does the Americans with Disabilities Act mean to you?

Film director Robert Burgess set out to find the answer to that question in his directorial debut, People with Disabilities: A Lesson Learned.

On July 26, the Americans with Disabilities Act turns 27. With an inquiring mind, Robert interviewed staff of Stepping Stones on the impact and value the ADA brings to our community.

Robert attends Stepping Stones’ Adult Day program. In our technology lab, his cerebral palsy is merely a footnote as he skillfully brings his vision to life. This spring, Robert’s inspiring short film debuted to audiences at Stepping Stones and the University of Cincinnati’s Blue Ash campus.

Today, Robert has the opportunity to inspire you.

We invite you to watch People with Disabilities: A Lesson Learned, directed by Robert Burgess. By making a summer gift to Stepping Stones, you will help individuals like Robert receive the programs and resources they need to pursue their passions!

Support Individuals like Robert by Making a Summer Gift to Stepping Stones, Below:

Marjorie Book Previews Stuart Little Musical for Adult Day Services

Participants of Stepping Stones’ Adult Day Services program were in for a special treat when Marjorie Book stopped by to preview their upcoming musical adaptation of Stuart Little on Wednesday, August 10th.

The cast visited our UCP Campus to perform a preview of their upcoming show and hold discussion with participants of Stepping Stones on favorite musicals and plays. Participants enjoyed talking about favorites from the Wizard of Oz to Book of Mormon before enjoying and singing along with the show.

Marjorie Book is a Continuing Education theater group of actors with diverse backgrounds and talents. On August 12th, they will debut their Stuart Little musical to the public at North Church in Northside, with shows running through the weekend. Admission is $10 per ticket.

Learn more about Marjorie Book and Stuart Little performance showtimes on their website, here.

Marjorie Book founder and former Stepping Stones board member Joe Link leads cast of Stuart Little.

Cast members mingled with Stepping Stones’ participants after the show, including Don who has previously performed with the group.

Adult Day Program Meets Norwood Neighbors, with Scarecrows!

Adult Day Services make Norwood Scarecrow - Stepping Stones Ohio

Participants of our UCP Campus Adult Day program got in touch with their Norwood roots this season by creating a collection of scarecrows, each representing a local business of Norwood.

“We are fairly new in the area and wanted to get to know our neighbors,” said Cherie Ankrum, Adult Day Services coordinator of Technology and Continuing Knowledge. Stepping Stones opened its Norwood location in 2014, providing day services for adults with disabilities.

122 individuals participated in the month-long project, stretching their skills, expanding their creativity and building friendships. Participants were at the center of the project from start to finish.

“They used computers to research what the businesses do and come up with ideas for what the scarecrow should be doing,” said Ankrum. They wrote lists of materials and made shopping trips to thrift shops, to creatively dress the scarecrows in clothes, hats and accessories. Using fine and gross motor skills, groups stretched pantyhose over PCV pipe skeletons and stuffed them with straw to form bodies.

Local business owners streamed into Stepping Stones to meet their alter egos and the talented individuals behind each scarecrow. It was the culmination of a great project, that built friendships with our Norwood neighbors.

Thank You to the Participating Norward Businesses:
A-1 Vacuum Cleaners
Chipotle Mexican Grill (Surrey Square)
CVS (Norwood)
E-Z Credit Car Company
Greene’s Flower Shoppe
Haines ‘House of Cards’ Magic Shoppe
Indian Mound Cafe
Norwood Dentistry – Dr. Kurt Ficker
Norwood Fire Department
Norwood Police Department
Norwood Girls Strikers Soccer Team
Pest All Exterminating
Quatman Cafe
Sorrento’s Pizza

Stepping Stones Annual Meeting

Stepping Stones’ Annual Meeting celebrated the agency’s achievements in 2013 at the UCP Campus in late April.

Jeremy Vaughan of Indian Hill was named president. His family has seen the challenges that disability brings and the value of programming that supports individuals with disabilities and their families. “My wife’s aunt had Down syndrome at a time when there was not the understanding or support that we see today,” he told the crowd.

Vaughan also shared his experience as a parent. One of his twin sons was born extremely premature and weighed only 1lb 8 oz. His initial progress was great, but he passed away after nine days. “We will never know, of course, but had he survived, I often wonder about the physical or mental challenges he may have faced. So I know how important Stepping Stones’ mission is.”

A panel of disabilities leaders discussed some 21st century challenges in the field, including the growing state and national focus on employment goals for adults with disabilities and the need for increased autism supports. The panel included Dr. Craig Erickson, director of research at the Kelly O’Leary Center for autism spectrum disorders at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Kristen Helling, employment goals project manager for Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities and Judy Bertsch, transition coordinator for Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services.

Dr. Craig Erickson said early diagnoses and transition support for teens with autism are key needs. “Early interventions before age 3 are showing improved outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD),” Erickson said. “But only one in five children with ASD is diagnosed before age 3.”

The meeting also showcased Stepping Stones’ staff and volunteers. Nursing Coordinator Linda Apel received the Catherine Clark Borchers Award, recognizing commitment to Stepping Stones mission. The Annual Volunteer Award went to a trio of energetic volunteers of an ongoing work team at Stepping Stones’ Allyn Campus, including Fred Neilheiser, past maintenance supervisor of 20 years at Stepping Stones, former facilities director of Forest Hills Schools Craig Thomas and Al Meisman, former operations engineer of Encor Co.