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. 3
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! 6
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. 9
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.” 10
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. 13
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. 19
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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Adult Day Support & Recreation
Residential Support
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Center Fa 4 m 12
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Connecting Connecting
Engaging Engaging
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PROGRAMS & SERVICES
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Employment Dahlberg TRANSPORTATION FLEETGibson Services Learning Center
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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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Thriving Thriving
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Exploring Exploring
Your support helps create
stories, Incredible impact. Amazing
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