Becky Love to retire after 50 years of service to children and families

Jed Morison and Becky Love standing outside with many young children. Becky is wearing a red cape.
Becky Love wore her "Queen for a Day" cape as she and Jed Morison visited preschoolers at Christ Lutheran Church in Bexley.

Even after so long, Becky Love says, the days still don’t feel like work. There has always been so much to do and share and learn – and so many staff members on board with the mission – that it all seems more joy than job. “It’s been good,” said Love, who is retiring at …

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Advocates invited to join Central Ohio Self Determination Association

The Central Ohio Self Determination Association recently hosted a kickoff gathering and is working to re-activate its regional self-advocacy work. The group, a part of the Ohio Self Determination Association, had paused events during the pandemic. Meetings are now planned for every other month and are open to central Ohio residents with developmental disabilities who …

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Best Buddies Citizens seeking Franklin County friendship matches

Two young women standing on front steps of a museum in front of a Best Buddies sign

Would you like get involved in the community and help make central Ohio more inclusive? Best Buddies is accepting applications for Best Buddies Citizens in Franklin County, a program that pairs an adult with an intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) in a one-to-one friendship with an adult without IDD from their local community. The Franklin …

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OSU students host painting program for teens, adults with disabilities

purple poster with contact information about Palette Pals

Palette Pals, a new student organization at the Ohio State University, is inviting teens and adults with developmental disabilities to take part in a free, recreational art program. Organizer Kaitlin Herman said the aim is to create interaction among OSU students, people with developmental disabilities and their families, while empowering the creativity of the disabilities …

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Social group offered for LGBTQIA+ people with developmental disabilities

Multi-colored Pride flag flying against a blue sky.

A new social group has been formed to support people who identify as LGBTQIA+ and receive services through the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities. The LGBTQIA+ group kicked off in June during Pride month and meets on the first Thursday of each month at the FCBDD Service Coordination offices, 1600 Watermark Dr. “This offers …

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Staff spotlight: Mechanic happy to jumpstart career with FCBDD

Man wearing sunglasses smiling and standing in front of a school bus.

Deshaun Washington couldn’t help but notice how often his neighbor seemed to be out helping people, lending a hand or offering guidance. And if he wasn’t helping someone, James Leonard likely was working. “He’s a good man,” Washington said of Leonard, the Transportation Director at the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities. “A good, hardworking …

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Central Ohio self-advocates invited to regional meeting in Franklin County

Woman standing in atrium of Ohio Statehouse during an advocacy event.

The Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Ohio Self Determination Association (OSDA) are hosting a regional meeting in August for self-advocates in the central Ohio area. The gathering aims to re-activate the work of the Central Ohio Self Determination Association, a regional group of the OSDA that had paused events during the pandemic. The …

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For roommates, new hobby creates purls of happiness

Knitting teacher watches her adult student knitting with pink yarn.
Knitting instructor Kristen McKenna and Destiny Hawkins start a new project.

Even before they picked up their first knitting needles or tugged at a skein of yarn, Destiny Hawkins and Peggy Bergados already were on track for success at their new hobby. “They have such motivation,” said Kristen McKenna, their knitting instructor. “These two are amazing.” McKenna, who regularly teaches through a craft-classes enterprise in Westerville …

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