Toward Independence, Inc.

03/24/2026

We are excited to share with you that Xenia's Mayor Ethan Reynolds issued a proclamation proclaiming March 2026 Developmental Disabilities Awareness month! Attached is a copy of the proclamation for you to share and celebrate!

Xenia's Mayor and City of Xenia Government have been extremely supportive of the DD community. A couple of weeks ago, they allowed pur very own CEO to speak at a council meeting to share about the history and impact of people with developmental disabilities.

They were especially touched by Bill, a self-advocate, and his message of awareness, advocacy, and being kind.

Also attached is a copy of Bill's speech and a few pictures from the meeting, including the city council & members from the Toward Independence, Inc. team wearing orange ribbons to celebrate DD Awareness month.

Thank you to Bill, the EPIC council, the city of Xenia, and Mayor Reynolds for their strong support of people with Developmental Disabilities!

Greene County Board of Developmental Disabilities Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services Miami County Board of Developmental Disabilities Darke County Board of Developmental Disabilities Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities Ohio Health Care Association

03/23/2026

This week’s update is led by one of our own, proudly representing both the holiday and his Irish roots, as we highlight a St. Patrick’s Day celebration hosted by our EPIC committee. The event brought together staff and the individuals we serve for a costume party full of connection, laughter, and community.

We also recap our presence at the Xenia Community Council meeting, where our CEO Joe shared the continued impact of TI, alongside Bill from our Advocacy Group, who spoke about advancing rights and representation in the community.

Additional updates include:
• Annual training completion and compliance reminders
• New features on the TI intranet, including EPIC applications and event calendar
• Introduction and support for the V&V app
• Announcement of the 2026 TI Scavenger Hunt

Mission Moments this week:
• A Galentine’s celebration connecting multiple homes through shared activities
• Special Olympics regional basketball achievements by Cody, Mia, and Anna

Thank you to everyone who continues to show up, support the mission, and make a difference every day.

We’re back with another weekly update from Toward Independence — with a little extra St. Patrick’s Day spirit.This week’s update is led by one of our own, pr...

03/16/2026

On 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟏𝟐 at the 𝐗𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐚 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, Toward Independence, Inc. got to talk about the individuals we support, and the broader community we serve.

During the meeting, CEO Joe Harmon shared the 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, highlighting our long-standing commitment to empowering people with developmental disabilities and helping them live as independently as possible.

⭐ 𝐀 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥!
Bill, one of the individuals we support and a member of the 𝐓𝐈 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥, did an outstanding job advocating for himself and representing our agency. His voice is a powerful reminder of why the work we do matters.

👏 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧. Your presence helped represent our organization and demonstrated the high level of care and professionalism that defines Toward Independence.

🤝 We look forward to continuing our partnership with the 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐗𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐚 as we work together to strengthen our community and 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞.

https://www.youtube.com/live/QhbTG14gfHw

Greene County Board of Developmental Disabilities Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Miami County Board of Developmental Disabilities Darke County Board of Developmental Disabilities Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities Ohio Health Care Association

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

03/13/2026

💙 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐢𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 💙

This month is a time to recognize the value, dignity, and contributions of people with developmental disabilities in our communities. It’s also a reminder that everyone deserves the opportunity to live, work, and participate fully in the community they call home.

At Toward Independence, Inc., we see every day how powerful inclusion can be. The individuals we support are neighbors, coworkers, volunteers, and friends who make our communities stronger. Their talents, personalities, and determination remind us that ability comes in many forms.

Supporting people with developmental disabilities is about more than providing services. It’s about building relationships, creating opportunities, and empowering people to live self-directed and meaningful lives. Whether someone is learning a new skill, maintaining independence in their home, finding meaningful employment, or enjoying activities in their community, every success matters.

Behind this support is an incredible workforce across Ohio.

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝟓𝟎,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐎𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐚𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐨𝐝-𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥.

Their dedication, compassion, and commitment make a real difference in the lives of the people they support every single day.

𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 reminds us that inclusion is everyone’s responsibility. When communities come together to support and value all people, we create a stronger and more compassionate world.

Join us in celebrating the achievements, voices, and contributions of people with developmental disabilities this month and every month. 💙

Greene County Board of Developmental Disabilities Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Miami County Board of Developmental Disabilities Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services Darke County Board of Developmental Disabilities Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities Ohio Health Care Association

03/10/2026

https://youtu.be/LU7HU30KRR0?si=I8LXs-FWWIiDbyjx

03/02/2026

Toward Independence 2026

Important message from our CEO Joe Harmond

02/25/2026

https://youtu.be/VY9WRk2uSpI?si=jkMwplZocM0hlCzw

In this week’s update, our EPIC Employee Council is seeking nominations to recognize outstanding community partners. We’re also previewing our new custom-bui...

02/17/2026

Direct support professionals play a vital role in helping people with developmental disabilities thrive. Here's some advice to help you grow, stay connected, and use your voice with confidence as a DSP! ⭐

02/17/2026

🌱🐟 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 & 𝐇𝐲𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞!

We’re excited to share that the event was a huge success, with 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝟓𝟓 𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭s joining us, including community members, donors, local media, and public officials. It was an honor to welcome Greene County Commissioners Sarah Mays, Greene County Commissioner, City Councilman Wesley Smith, and Magistrate Heather Shannon for Greene Co. Probate Judge

Guests toured our systems, learned how the program works, and heard directly from staff and participants about the real-world impact. Grow Together supports vocational learning, skill-building, and meaningful engagement for individuals with developmental disabilities, while also producing fresh, locally grown products that are donated to One Bistro Xenia, Coffee Hub Ohio, and Greene County FISH Pantry. 🌿

One of the highlights of the day was our client tour guides Cody, Mia, Marc, Nate, and Anna, who helped lead tours, explain the systems, and share their experiences. They did a fantastic job welcoming visitors and showing what the program is all about. Opportunities like this build confidence, communication skills, and real job experience.

This program has been years in the making. Former CEO Mark Schlater first launched the hydroponics vision with a long-term goal of adding aquaculture, and last Friday, that vision officially became reality. What an amazing milestone!

Our Current CEO, Josphe Harmon, shared during the event:

“𝘞𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘲𝘶𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘶𝘯 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸, 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦, 𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴! 𝘞𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴, 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘟𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘢’𝘴 ‘𝘶𝘯𝘰𝘧𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭’ 𝘢𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘶𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘵!”

Thank you to everyone who came out to support, learn, and celebrate with us. More growth ahead! 🌱

Greene County Board of Developmental Disabilities Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services Miami County Board of Developmental Disabilities Darke County Board of Developmental Disabilities Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities Ohio Health Care Association

02/12/2026

🎉👑 𝐀𝐧 𝟖𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫! 👑🎉

This week, we had the joy of celebrating one of our amazing individuals in Greene County as he turned 80 years young! And for the day, he truly was King, complete with smiles, laughter, and a celebration fit for royalty.

Friends and staff came together to make the day unforgettable. There was plenty of cake 🍰, music 🎶, and of course, all the attention that a birthday King deserves! Seeing him light up with joy reminded us why we love what we do every day, supporting incredible people as they live their best lives.

Milestones like this are more than just a birthday; they’re a celebration of a life full of experiences, friendships, and memories. We’re honored to be a part of this journey and to share in the joy of such special moments.

Here’s to 80 years of life, laughter, and love, and to many more moments where our King can reign supreme! 👑💛

Toward Independence, Inc. Greene County Board of Developmental Disabilities Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities Ohio Health Care Association

02/03/2026

🧘Supporting others starts with supporting yourself! Check out these self-care tips designed to help DSPs thrive and recharge.

✨For more wellness resources, visit: https://dodd.ohio.gov/about-us/thewellnessproject/welcome

02/02/2026

https://youtu.be/9Sv2kZnN398?si=e-krPMZaIF7Dgt_c

In this week’s Toward Independence update, we share several announcements, upcoming events, and highlights from across the organization.This video includes a...