Community Living Options-CLO

Happy to celebrate our staff with a Staff Appreciation Event @ Oshtemo Charter Township park with a food truck from Teresa's Kitchen and a table of sweet treats. And just look at all the CLO swag!
The tacos were on point—-and the Community Living Options-CLO hats are extra stylish!

Thank you to our sponsors including the Living Ways Foundation and OVD Insurance for helping make this event so special!

Can’t wait for the next Staff Appreciation Event coming up soon! Thank you to all our employees who work with care and compassion for the community we serve!

Wow! So happy we are non-profit members Kalamazoo Nature Center!
Hope we have an opportunity to put them to use on a future visit!

The Kalamazoo Nature Center is happy to announce our new GRIT Freedom Chairs available for check out during your visit! These all-terrain wheelchairs are available in adult and youth sizes and are specially designed for trail use. With their innovative design, these chairs allow individuals with mobility challenges to explore the beautiful trails and natural scenery at KNC. The GRIT Freedom Chairs offer a unique combination of durability and ease of use, ensuring that everyone can enjoy an inclusive outdoor experience. Click here for more details: https://naturecenter.org/accessibility/
Thank you to Jerry Albertson from the Disability Network of Southwest Michigan for testing out the GRIT chair.

Camp Amigo 2024 was a success!
Our residents and staff connected over cards, drumming with Kingpins Drumline, smores, campfires, swimming, story telling, jokes, a trip to Shipshewana, lunches and dinners, tie dyeing and so much more!

Thank you to the Kalamazoo Community Foundation for funding this special opportunity each year that supports this camping event for so many of our people to build friendships, connect with nature, and have experiences as unique and as diverse as the people we serve in an accessible and inclusive environment!

Thanks to our staff and clients for making it so fun!

The offers caring counseling to people who are struggling or are in crisis, including specific support for:

✅ Veterans and their families (press 1)
✅ Spanish speakers (press 2)
✅ LGBTQI+ youth & young adults (press 3)

Call, text, or chat today

Help our community friends at Aacorn Community!

Voting Period Now Open Now in its 4th year, the Kubota Hometown Proud grant program has helped fund various projects across the country, from building agricultural education centers to revitalizing community gardens, we are proud to support initiatives that make a lasting impact on a local level.

If you're in need of support today, or any day, free and confidential help is available if you or someone you know needs support with mental health or use of substances.

💛 Help yourself and share to help others: http://samhsa.gov/find-help

Meet Marissa!

Marissa has been with CLO for 6 months.

What does Marissa enjoy most about working at CLO? “Seeing my consumers smile when I come to work and being their friend not [just] their worker/staff.”

What are her strengths? Positivity and Patience.

What is your favorite memory from your time at CLO? “I like doing all the outings with my residents and interacting with them in the community.”

What brings her joy? My kids; my family.

What are your hopes/goals for the future? “I want to be a social worker for children or individuals who grew up in broken homes.”

What are her hobbies? Video games and relaxing.

Is there any special person that has positively affected you or supported you? “My brothers, because we come from a negative home and they both taught me how to be successful.”

Thanks Marissa for being part of CLO! We think you're awesome!

--Now is the time to advance your career!

We are Hiring!

Have background in accounting or accounts payable instead?

--We are Hiring for an Accounts Payable Specialist!

Be Part of a Community at Community Living Options!

Learn more and Apply at: www.communitylivingoptions.org/careers
or email your resume to:
[email protected]

EOE/M/F/D/V/SO/

Our Alcott group and Oakcreek guys had so much fun celebrating with Disability Network Southwest Michigan at their ADA Celebration with lunch and active accessible art from Zot Artz . Thanks for all you do for the community and for including our group in such a fun day focused on Disability Pride!

Black Mental Health Matters! Let's support the mental wellbeing of Black communities by breaking down barriers to support.

Everyone deserves the care they need. http://988lifeline.org/help-yourself/black-mental-health/

Good morning from Barrington!
We hope you have a nice warm breakfast and sunny smile to make this gray day brighter!

Our Alcott participants were at it again—spreading joy to our homes through art!

They dropped off tie-dye flags with encouraging phrases to our CLO homes in celebration of Disability Pride month.

Reminder:
“Enjoy Life”
“Choose Happy”
“We Are Awesome”

We're only 9 days away from the Breaking Barriers Community Celebration at Lansing Shuffle.

Join us on Friday, July 26 from Noon to 5:00PM as we celebrate the 34th Anniversary of the ADA and Disability Pride Month!

This event is FREE, and everyone is welcome to attend. Register here: www.bit.ly/bbreg24

Learn more about the Breaking Barriers Community Celebration by visiting our website: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/mentalhealth/developmentaldisability/disability-pride-month-2024

Thank you to everyone who came out to the Annual CLO agency picnic! Hosted at Schrier park through the The City of Portage MI Parks and Rec was perfect! Thanks to our grill masters, servers, supply purchasers, set-up and clean-up crew, all the homes for bringing dishes to pass, and, finally, a huge thank you to Kingpins Drumline for bringing the fun! So great to have them perform and engage with all our residents, participants, families, and staff!
Until next year!

#DWORD: Disability is not a bad word Disability Network Southwest Michigan (DNSWM) is proud to launch the campaign. This campaign aims to change the way our current culture views the word...

With the extra rain leaving a puddle in the driveway, this resident and staff made paper boats to float. Silly fun!
Here’s to rainy days and sunny afternoons!

We are proud to join Office of Minority Health - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services this Month in supporting the mental & emotional well-being of all racial & ethnic minorities. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available.

💚 Help yourself & share to help others samhsa.gov/find-help

Howard has been with CLO for two and half years.

What does he enjoy most about working at CLO?
“Helping individuals live their best lives.”

What is your favorite memory from your time at CLO?
“Taking three Farrell clients and one Oakcreek client to the Lions game, witnessing the Lions destroy the Carolina Panthers. After which we went to White Castle. It’s always a pleasure taking clients into the community for activities.”

What are some of his strengths?
“Communication, listening, empathy, consistency and punctuality.”

What brings him joy?
“My family, my pets (2 dogs, 1 cat), volunteering at the Ecumenical Senior Center and giving back to my community.”

Reflecting on someone that has positively affected him and/or his life, Howard shared, “My parents, Howard and Robyn Robinson. Their love and support throughout my life. The positive example they have set. Passing down tremendous knowledge and wisdom. Also their service and influence within the community. You can catch their gospel radio program on Saturday morning and Sunday afternoons on 95.5FM/1560 AM ”The Touch.””

Thanks Howard for being part of CLO! We appreciate you and your commitment to the residents!

We hope everyone had a safe and fun fourth of July weekend!
The Oakcreek guys visited the Kalamazoo Speedway with their staff including their Program Assistant, Dee, and Program Supervisor, James, with his family!

What a fun day for the Oakcreek crew!

We wish everyone safe and happy 4th of July celebrations.
Our Administrative Office will be closed Thursday, July 4th and Friday, July 5th.

We’re at Michigan Works Southwest until 2:00pm!

Taking applications, resumes, and chatting about our open positions!
Direct Support Professionals, Property Manager, Maintenance Technician, and Accounting Specialist.

Can’t get to Michigan Works today?
Apply at : www.communitylivingoptions.org/careers
Or email resume to: [email protected]

From spring to summer, Wenke Greenhouses has kept our homes a bloom through their Good Neighbor Days program!
We are so thankful we are able to brighten over 12 locations with flowers and are also able to extend the learning to planting vegetables.

And, this year, with support of funds received from PFC Grocery & Deli “Change for Change” program, we were able to purchase locally made planters from H&H Wood Creations, garden soil, and extra vegetable plants to create our own raised garden beds!
We love our community!

If you’d like to contribute to this work visit, our website to learn more and how you can donate.
www.communitylivingoptions.org

REGISTER TODAY at iskzoo.org/events to take Mental Health First Aid for Adults on JULY 25!

Why is Mental Health First Aid so urgent RIGHT NOW? A CNN/Kaiser Family Foundation poll says 90% of Americans feel we are in a mental health crisis. And people in need aren't being reached. Researchers at Pew call serious mental illness (SMI) "a crisis of care." While we have effective medications, psychological treatments, and rehabilitative care, LESS THAN HALF of people with SMI are getting help.

MHFA for Adults teaches how to identify, respond to and help someone experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge.

REGISTER TODAY FOR MHFA for ADULTS at iskzoo.org/events.
More info from Pew research: bit.ly/3Kue1CN

Our friends Doug and Bill Kingpins Drumline !
Check out how you can join this fun experience--you won't be disappointed!

Students with special needs are invited to participate in Kingpins Drumline, a five-week drumming program tailored for performers of different abilities. Drumming provides a thrilling outlet for each participant. Students learn to listen, follow suggestions, and how to work together. Students are guided through each one-hour session. Registration is required at mypark.portagemi.gov. Click the "Register Now!" button to begin.

>> Tuesday, August 13 - September 10, 6 - 7 PM
>> Portage Parks & Recreation (320 Library Lane)
>> FREE (Registration required)

Annual Growlers Game was a win!
Growlers 1- Kingfish-0
Thanks to everyone who came out to cheer on the home team!
Glad to have our friends, Doug and Bill, from the Kingpins Drumline join us!

Thanks to Kalamazoo Growlers for the special treat of some swag!

Can’t wait till next year!

June is Men's Mental Health Month!

Over 6 million men suffer from depression per year, but male depression often goes underdiagnosed. If you're experiencing symptoms of depression or other mental health challenges, you are not alone.

This month and beyond, we are offering a free and anonymous mental health screening to give yourself (or a loved one) a checkup from the neck up.

Visit https://bit.ly/EastersealsMORCMentalHealthScreening to take a free screening today.

In Celebration of Juneteenth!

To learn more about this federal holiday and ways you can honor and celebrate visit:
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/a-beginners-guide-to-celebrating-juneteenth