FOCUS | a Hattie Larlham publication, 2025

inside this issue

FOCUS a Hattie Larlham publication | 2025

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stories, Incredible impact.

Amazing

In this edition of FOCUS, we are excited to share stories of families served by Hattie Larlham and how each of their unique journeys speaks to the profound impact of our programs and services. These stories provide the perfect opportunity to highlight the ways in which Hattie Larlham empowers the people we serve and their families to

explore, connect, engage, and learn.

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EXPLORE “For Tino, as far as exploring goes,

Tino and the ways he’s progressed

that was a big hurdle,” Jenna shared

and thrived in his time at Dahlberg.

with us when we met to talk about her family’s journey with Hattie Larlham’s

When Tino was about one year

Dahlberg Gibson Learning Center. It

old, Jenna and her husband

was our honor to sit with her as she

became concerned that Tino was

shared all the wonderful things about

not meeting his developmental

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milestones as he should have been.

Tino’s story They immediately sought guidance

tour, and we were just like ‘This is

and help to ensure Tino would

absolutely what our son needs.’”

thrive at his full potential. Eventually, their journey led them to Dahlberg-

Since day one at Dahlberg, Tino has

a lucky recommendation shared

excelled at facing and overcoming

with Jenna from another parent in

challenges. As Jenna mentioned

their neighborhood. ”We had an

previously, exploration of new

interview at the school and took a

things was a hurdle for Tino, but 5

one that he was ready to conquer.

“He didn’t want to get his hands dirty. He didn’t want to get wet.

He didn’t want those sensory

“To have teachers, and a team, and a school to step in…it’s been the most valuable experience for us.”

experiences on his body. And the first week of school when painting was happening in the classroom, the goal was for him to just be there. We said ‘Just be

around the table, you don’t have to participate,’ and by the end of the school year, he’s grabbing the paintbrush and making his strokes.”

The challenges Tino faced were largely physical, Jenna said, stating that he did not walk until he was two years old and said, “We were just constantly wondering ‘ Where is he on the spectrum of

development? Is he catching up?

Is he still behind?’ and so for us to have teachers, and a team, and a school to step in…it’s been the most valuable experience for us.” She went on to say, glowing with pride, that Tino is now more mobile than ever. “He’s reached and surpassed his physical development goals. He’s walking,

Did you know...

the summer we were working on hopping and he’s bouncing around the room.” She went on, “He was

Each year, Dahlberg Gibson

also slow to talk. Now, he’s got

Learning Center serves

some complete sentences, he

130+ students!

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he’s working on running, and over

knows all of his colors, all of his numbers, all of his shapes.”

As they supported him every step of the way, Jenna and her husband were there to celebrate Tino’s journey- and are eager to keep cheering him on as he continues to explore and exceed new goals. “Looking at him a year ago- not able to walk, not able to talk, not developing appropriately to now, today? He’s a totally different kid.”

When we talk about outcomes and impact, so often our focus is on the finish line. On the victories that make all the challenges along the way worthwhile.

But for Tino, and for his peers at Dahlberg, it is the journey that carries the most weight.

Those challenges, met and overcome little by little, that are a true measure of success. Every day brings a new opportunity to explore the world, explore abilities, explore new ideas and explore what it means to be a kid, learning and growing every day.

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WE ARE HATTIE LARLHAM

CONNECT For the Callahan family, connection

disabilities, they place a high value in

has always been key. As local

connecting with families who have

business owners of Callahan’s

faced challenges like theirs and

Flooring, Christine and Larry take

with those who may not yet know

pride in the work that they do

why inclusion and accessibility are

connecting with and serving the

so deeply important within every

needs of the Hudson community

community.

and surrounding neighborhoods. As parents, they’re actively involved with

Sometimes connection means

the Hudson school system, which

opening your heart to what is best

has embraced and supported both

for those you love. As their son,

of their children, Andrew and Claire.

Andrew, aged into his teenage

And, as advocates for people with

years, his daily support needs were

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Andrew’s story school-aged children can attest to the madness of weekday mornings, and compounded by Andrew’s heightened needs, Larry and Christine knew that, for everyone’s sake, something had to give. They were referred to the Hattie Larlham Center for Children with Disabilities

by Andrew’s pediatrician, Dr. Richard Grossberg, who, in addition to his roles with University Hospitals, is putting an increasing strain on the family. Andrew was born with a developmental disability that significantly impacted him. Due to his medical condition, Andrew cannot walk or communicate verbally. Even with in-home nursing support, Larry shared that their daily routines often started at 5am or even earlier, when he and Christine would be rushing to make sure Andrew had all of his needs met while also supporting their daughter Claire. Any parent of

also the Medical Director at the Hattie Larlham Center. Though understandably wary at the thought of Andrew no longer living at home with the family, the Callahans toured the Center and met with the staff and felt strongly that the Center would be the best place for Andrew to truly thrive.

Did you know...

The Hattie Larlham Center for Children with Disabilities is home to 124 residents of all ages.

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When asked about the positive

The Center itself is its own thriving

impact of Andrews move to the

community, with 124 residents plus

Center, Christine said, “I think one

nearly double that in staff. Every day,

of the biggest things with Andrew

there are countless opportunities to

being here is that, on the medical

connect, whether through recreation

side of things, the staff knows this

and music programming, in the onsite

population. There are times where

school classrooms, during check-

we’ve avoided hospital trips and

ins with medical staff, in one-on-one

they’ve been headed off because

sessions with speech, occupational,

they have the knowledge whereas,

massage, and physical therapists,

if he were at home, we would’ve

or with a favorite Direct Support

ended up in the hospital.” Larry

Professional during mealtimes and

added, “Coming to Hattie has been

evening routines. Of the importance

a good fit for us. We know the staff

of feeling that connection, Christine

care and love the kids so much. We

said, “You can see that he’s made

just feel totally comfortable here and

connections with certain staff

we know that Andrew is loved just as

members that he likes and they can

much as we love him.”

usually push him to do things that he might not otherwise do. Every time we come in, you see the staff engaging with the residents and everybody is so happy and positive in how they do that. If we come in and need help with something, someone

“You can see that he’s made connections with certain staff members that he likes and they can usually push him to do things that he might not otherwise do.”

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is always jumping in to help answer questions or get us to where we need to be.”

That care, and the extra special love that Hattie Larlham is known for, is all rooted in the value of connection.

Each day, our front-line staff come to work with one ultimate goal: to connect. Every employee pours their heart into creating those everyday moments of joy and ensuring that each person served at Hattie Larlham always feels connected and knows that they are important and cherished. Larry Callahan said it best when he was asked what makes Hattie Larlham special. “It’s More than a year after his move to the

really the people and the care

Center, Andrew continues to grow and

that they have,” he said. “Nobody

thrive every day. When we asked how

comes to work at Hattie Larlham to

they’ve adjusted to and embraced

get rich. This is a vocation, a calling,

the change, Larry said, “For me, it’s the

and you have to really care about

comfort of knowing that he’s cared for

the kids, you have to care about the

and better than we could care for him

population.”

because this is a specialty institution that’s really based in care and love. It just gives us a lot of comfort knowing that as we get older and age out of being able to take care of him that he’s got a place to be for the rest of his lifetime.”

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WE ARE HATTIE LARLHAM

ENGAGE

Emily’s story Scott’s daughter, Emily, began her

that Emily is on the quiet side and

journey with Hattie Larlham when

would need a special place to

she graduated high school several

help bring her out of her shell. “It

years ago. Of that transition time,

was just a great fit. The people,

Scott said, “Our family was really

the location, the place, really gave

exploring, like, ‘where does she go

us the next step in Emily’s journey.

next?’ We started touring places

Within days, she had friends, she

and fortunately the Excel program

had people who were looking out

in Westerville was on our list.” Scott

for her. She had people who cared

went on to say how everything

about her, genuinely cared about

about the program aligned with

her.” Through the Excel program,

his and his wife’s requirements for

Emily is able to fully customize

day programs, especially knowing

her experience by selecting her

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“Emily can be quiet. You know, she can just quietly mind her business, and you may not pay attention to her. So, to have people that are interested in keeping her engaged and involving her, that’s the number one thing that I want.” daily activities from a curated quarterly catalog of options. Each day is something new and she’s given the opportunity to make her choices from a wide selection of offerings. Scott was almost in awe as he reiterated, “She has four, five, six choices for every single day of the week.”

Emily has now been attending Excel for several years, but recently she and her family have taken a big step in increasing her independence as a young adult. “It evolved,” Scott said, “As Emily has grown, her needs have changed and I really saw, for me and my family, it became more where we were spending a lot of our time being Emily’s care provider and not as much time being her siblings, or her dad, or her mom. And so, home life was kind of hectic.” It was this realization that led Scott and his wife to begin searching for a supported living home where Emily could thrive with socialization and independence while still having all her care needs met by trained

Did you know...

The Excel at Hattie Larlham program serves adults like Emily at seven locations across Central and Northeast Ohio.

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professionals. Once they met with

Emily, my wife and I had five boxes

the Hattie Larlham residential

we wanted to check off. Hattie

services staff and toured Emily’s

Larlham checked six.” Scott, more

prospective home, the family was

than many, sees that “sixth box”,

confident that it was the perfect

the special x-factor that makes

fit for Emily. “You know, someone

Hattie Larlham truly stand out

told me once that no 22-year-old

among disability providers, as it

girl wants to live at home with her

shines through in every experience

parents,” Scott shared. “And Emily

he and his family have had at

is the same way. We don’t always

Hattie Larlham. “The key, especially

think about that because of her

with someone with special needs,

needs, but it’s true.”

is the people and ‘Are they caring?

Are they attentive?’ But it’s got

We asked Scott to talk a little

to be more than that, it’s got to

more about Emily’s journey with

be the culture. Because I’ve had

Hattie Larlham and what the

the same experience here at the

pieces of that puzzle look like as

day program, I’ve had the same

a complete picture. Scott paused

experience at the Center up in

for a moment, getting a little choked up, and shared something straight from the heart. “When we were exploring our options for

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“My wife and I had five boxes we wanted to check off. Hattie Larlham checked six.”

Mantua for a respite stay, and I’m having it now in the supported living program. So it can’t be coincidence that I’ve been involved with three different Hattie programs and just got lucky that all the people are amazing. It’s been comforting to see that she gets that, that she’s loved.”

After her move this fall, Emily has settled into her supported living home and continues to thrive every day. Excel provides her countless opportunities to engage through classes, programs, and activities that she may not otherwise have access to. And she is able to enjoy those things surrounded by a community of friends and staff who support and nurture her through it all. Emily’s story is just one of hundreds like it that demonstrates the power of engagement and building community.

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WE ARE HATTIE LARLHAM

LEARN

Jane’s story

“Oh, she’s always learning new

Jane and her sister, Lisa. Jane

things...they’ve done craft and

has been a member of Franklin

pottery types of things, so she’s

County Recreation (FCR) for over

learning all types of things and

thirty years and she’s still learning

learning social skills as they’re

new things, embracing new

out in the community.”

experiences, and building lasting friendships. Lisa is Jane’s legal

If there’s anyone who can attest

guardian and has been with her

to the impact and fun that comes

over the years, helping her to gain

out of Hattie Larlham’s Franklin

her independence and thrive as an

County Recreation program, it’s

adult.

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“I just think that Jane’s been fortunate to be able to be involved in the community and in the programs that she has. And I think Hattie is a good example of an organization that recognizes the need for individuals to have experiences and exposure to different activities as well as the opportunity to participate in those.” After more than three decades of watching her sister thrive with FCR, Lisa explained

Larlham stand out among other disability services providers and she said, “Well, it’s the people, number one. And the individuals that I know that are employees of Hattie Larlham are always top, top notch and they really care about the individuals they serve.”

why the program is so important.

We asked her what makes Hattie 17

Did you know...

The Franklin County Rec program provides members access to more than

100 activities and events each quarter.

As perhaps a credit in part to

visits often and Jane receives visits

the personal growth Jane has

from support staff who help with

experienced through her time with

daily living needs she may have, but

FCR, she recently celebrated a

Jane values having her own space

major milestone. Having always

and takes pride in her new living

lived under the care of her parents,

situation.

and more recently her sister, Jane and Lisa decided this summer

We had the pleasure of meeting Lisa

that Jane was finally ready for

and Jane at her new apartment,

a next step toward increased

where she graciously showed us

independence and moved into an

around the common areas and was

independent living apartment with

quick to talk about an upcoming

her close friend. Lisa explained

costume-themed dance party

that this was a huge step for

with FCR that she was looking

Jane, and it has been an exciting

forward to. At her new apartment,

transition for her. Of course, Lisa

Jane has access to transportation

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that helps her get to all the FCR

and fills a programming gap left by

activities she likes to attend, as

many other providers. Statistically,

well as to her job at Panera, where

adults with disabilities are some

she’s worked for many years. We

of the most isolated individuals

asked her what she would tell

in a community due to a variety

someone who was thinking about

of factors, including a lack of

becoming a FCR member but

community-based programming.

who was unsure if they’d enjoy

FCR helps remove some of those

the experience. Jane said, “We

barriers by offering members the

go to the Clippers games, and

opportunity to build friendships,

the Bluejackets games. And we

socialize, and engage within their

go play putt-putt and we play

communities during times of day

video golf. You’ll have fun!” And

when they may otherwise be

Jane certainly knows a thing or

without access to such options.

two about having fun. She’s one of the most active FCR members and photos of her frequently grace the monthly event catalog that features a look back at the previous month’s activities and gives members the opportunity to RSVP for events in the upcoming month. Each catalog offers an average of 25 activities every month, most taking place during late afternoons and evenings to accommodate members’ work and day program schedules. This is a unique feature of the program

Hattie Larlham and our incredible staff at Franklin County Recreation are honored to facilitate a program that has such a meaningful impact for its members. As Lisa said, not only do FCR activities and events afford members the chance to learn new hard skills like pottery, cooking, gaming, but the program also offers priceless opportunities to learn important social skills, time management, money handling, selfadvocacy, and relationship building.

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WE ARE HATTIE LARLHAM

2024 AT-A-GLANCE SERVICES DELIVERED

VOLUNTEER IMPACT

GEOGRAPHICAL REACH

1,375

716

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VOLUNTEERS

INDIVIDUALS SERVED

COUNTIES PROVIDED PROGRAMS & SERVICES

Miles Miles of of Impact 5,480

900+

HOURS OF SERVICE

EMPLOYEES

LOCATIONS

2 ,5

275+ Sponsors

46 Golf Balls

1,200+ Donations

doubled by partner matches

Dr o

$700,000+ raised

Signature Events & Five Dollar Friday

Your support...

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Support from corporate and community partners helped create countless opportunities to thrive at Hattie Larlham in 2025.

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PROGRAMS & SERVICES

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IMPACT STATEWIDE

Center for Children

*Licensed Homes | Supported Living Homes | Intermediate Care Facilities | Shared Living

Learning Learning Brighter ...is a reflection of who we are.

Together

COUNTLESS Opportunities Programs & services provided in 10 counties.

1,375 people served Individuals and families from 28 counties were served through our programs.

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Exploring Exploring

Your support helps create

stories, Incredible impact.

Amazing

22 Diagonal Road Mantua, OH 44255 9772 330-274-2272 | hattielarlham.org

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