Abilities First President Robin Usalis during the recent holiday season

The folks at Abilities First Independence Center experienced some excitement today as the neighboring building at 1001 Grove Street was removed. Hope House Mission is constructing a new multi-million dollar facility to serve as a men's facility. According to Hope House Board President Carla Messer, safety is their priority. "Relationships with local law enforcement ensures that police will be driving by the facility regularly to keep would-be dealers away from the property, she said.” Empty buildings breed illicit activities and replacing the deteriorating building with a new facility designed to transform lives should add stability to the neighborhood," she added. Thanks to Abilities First for allowing the transfer of property ownership to the Hope House Mission.

On behalf of our families, residents, clients, students, staff and Board of Trustees, thanks for your continuing support, Valley Central Bank.

"Some gifts are big, others are small. Gifts from the heart are the best gifts of all."
A great big thank you to the employees of Harris Products for donating gifts for Doty House and Hopewell residents. Thanks To Bobby for transporting, loading, and unloading the gifts.

Four Abilities First employees received diplomas from the Rapid Cycle Improvement Collaborative of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, and United Way of Greater Cincinnati. Vice President of Children's Services Jan Rosebrough, Director of the Autism Learning Center Melissa Hayes, Director of the Early Childhood Learning Center Lisa Stevens and, Family Advocate and Social Worker Norman Cosby, completed required participation in Improvement Science Methods and Measurement; Change Management and Team Leadership. Through team completion of the course, participants gained the knowledge and experience necessary to practice improvement science and to collaborate with other teams in the management and continuous improvement of outcomes and services.