Thursday, July 6, 2017
It has been a very busy and rewarding couple of months here at Integrated Living Opportunities (ILO). Just a few short weeks ago (June 2017), we hosted a new training session, welcoming five new families into the ILO network. ILO board members, volunteers and staff also recently held two fun and successful fundraisers – the Bike and Hike at the C&O Canal, as well as the dining event at Mellow Mushroom. Yet another event – the BC Bike Race – is currently underway (follow the link to support ILO). In addition to all this, we are still creating and supporting communities for self-advocates that are living independently, as well as establishing monthly educational and social events.
As ILO continues to expand, we strive to welcome more people into our community, and to continue spreading the word about the work that our organization is doing. Today, we would like to take the opportunity to introduce new readers to ILO, and to invite interested individuals to attend our upcoming seminar, ILO Today: Where We Are, How to Get Involved, and Where We Are Going.
ILO: A Brief History
Integrated Living Opportunities (ILO) is a 501c3 registered non-profit based in the Washington, D.C metropolitan area. ILO is a coalition of adult self-advocates with special needs and their families who are working together as they face the challenging experience of preparing, and then supporting, their children as they live independently in the community. These intentional communities of peers and caring people are connected to the self-advocates for the rest of their lives, even after the parents are gone.
Founded over three years ago, ILO has grown into a network of more than twenty families. ILO is designed to help these self-advocates transition into a home of their own, integrate fully into the community, and create long term relationships and connections. To date, ILO has helped a number of individuals with disabilities transition into independent living. Our first group of self-advocates moved into apartments in a new complex in Gaithersburg, MD November 2016, where self-advocates are supported by an on-site ILO community builder. This, however, is just the beginning. Presently, we are establishing supported communities in Bethesda and DC.
To learn more about ILO’s history, including our mission and our vision, please take a moment to visit our About Us page. For a clear idea of how ILO’s supported communities function, please visit our Meet Pete and Darren page, a fictional scenario of a full life using real places, activities, and services in the Washington, D.C. area.
Attend our Update Seminar – Register now!
If you are interested in learning about what we do at Integrated Living Opportunities (ILO), our plans for the future, and how you can become a part of our network, please attend our update seminar on July 20th, 2017. ILO’s CEO and Founder, Maedi Tanham Carney, as well as board members and some participating families, will share our progress with creating supported communities. We are also excited to introduce attendees to our newest employees, and share what it means to be a part of ILO. Learn how ILO is establishing monthly educational and social events for families in preparation for the day ILO will help your family member move into a supported community of his or her own.
The seminar will take place from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Treatment and Learning Center in Rockville, MD. If you would like to attend, please follow this link to register. We looking forward to meeting you!
