3-02-2023 10:53am

WCBDD celebrates Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month with Open Houses

Lebanon, OH - On March 14, 2023, the Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities (WCBDD) will host two Open Houses in honor of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. The Open Houses, held in Lebanon, will offer the community the opportunity to learn more about the agency’s services and supports provided to individuals with disabilities.

Inspired by the Wizard of Oz, this year’s theme is “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and will showcase stories of individuals served by sharing the dreams they dare to dream, the road they take to reach their dreams, and the power within themselves to make their dreams come true.

The first Open House will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., and the second will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Warren C. Young Center, located at 801 Drake Rd. Both Open Houses will include a proclamation declared by a Warren County official, which will be presented to WCBDD Superintendent, Megan Manuel, as well as an enrolled individual.

The evening format follows the same schedule as the afternoon event, with addition of a performance by the Voices of Warren County, a choral group consisting of adults receiving services from WCBDD. At 7:00 p.m., guests will be invited to the gymnasium for the Business and Provider Fair, where a variety of local businesses and service providers will display their products and services offered. The fair will run from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Concluding the evening, a raffle drawing for gift baskets will be held at 7:45 p.m. Proceeds from the raffle ticket sales will benefit the Voices Speaking Out Advocacy group.

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month takes place in March every year, and is a statewide campaign to raise public awareness about people with developmental disabilities. Through this effort, the public will better understand the barriers individuals with disabilities face, and the ways in which they overcome such barriers to lead more fulfilling lives.

For more information, contact Adam Jones at (513) 806-3941 or e-mail adam.jones@warrencountydd.org