Best Buddies needs Franklin County volunteers

A group of friends standing and smiling in the seating area of a baseball stadium

Best Buddies Citizens in Franklin County is looking for volunteers to join the program and build meaningful one-to-one friendships with adults with disabilities. By creating friendships between people with and without disabilities, Best Buddies Citizens fosters connection, community and confidence. The program is designed for adults 25 years and older who are looking for social connections and …

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Celebrate DD Awareness Month in March

Group of three students and two teachers standing in front of a wall at the Columbus Museum of Art

For the past 39 years, communities nationwide have stepped up their inclusive events, activities, and messages during March in celebration of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Much progress has been made since that first observance in 1987. Franklin County DD encourages everyone—civic leaders, elected officials, employers, educators and others—to consider ways we can continue to build …

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Sometimes your best job coach is…you

Smiling woman standing in front of colorful store shelves stocked with lotions

Franklin County residents with developmental disabilities who want to be employed can look to many sources of support—their Franklin County DD service coordinators, providers, advocacy organizations and the state’s Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities. But it’s also important to remember how much a person can accomplish on his or her own, Franklin County DD board …

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Love, laughter and a golden milestone

Elderly man and woman holding photo of their wedding day 50 years ago

Ask her the secret to 50 happy years of marriage, and Isabelle Laughrey will say there isn’t much of a secret. “Just love,” she said. “Love is the same in sickness and health; love is for everybody.” Laughrey and her husband, Clifford, recently celebrated their golden anniversary at a dinner party with friends, hugs, presents …

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Best Buddies needs volunteers for Franklin County friendship matches

Two men who are friends through a Best Buddies program

Best Buddies Citizens, a program that fosters friendships between adults with and without developmental disabilities, is seeking volunteers without disabilities to connect with Franklin County residents in need of a match. “We have a lot of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities who are in our pipeline waiting for a one-to-one friendship,” said Shannon Wilson, …

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Perspective: Writing positivity

Smiling woman with glasses and red shirt and sweater

Recently someone asked why I don’t write more about great things that happen. While it’s true that I’m often pointing out things that aren’t so great, the reason is pretty simple. The bad, sad and negative things are anomalies – small blips in what is otherwise a happy life, one full of good people who …

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