Think College Awareness Week is a national event to raise awareness of college options for students with intellectual disabilities.

This week-long event will offer daily virtual learning events sharing information and resources for students, families, educators, transition professionals, and higher education personnel.

ALL events are FREE and open to the public.

ALL are welcome to attend.

You will receive just one link to access any event – live or recorded. https://bit.ly/TCAwarenessWeekP

You can tag Think College on social media (Facebook: @thinkcollege or Instagram: @thinkcollegelCl

After taking a field trip to the grocery store a few days prior, students made their own healthy snacks! We all had a great time taste testing what everyone made!

What a great way to end before spring break! Hope everyone is enjoying the week off!

March 3rd, 2023 TOPS students and mentors went to Chick Fil-A to hangout with friends and enjoy eating Chick Fil-A’s tasty chicken!

TOPS student, Finn, and TOPS intern, Taylor, spent time volunteering at Colony Cats on February 21st to get their community service hours in. Finn and Taylor loved petting the cats and getting to know our little, furry friends. After they were done volunteering, they stopped at Panera on High St. and Lane Ave. to reward their hard work with some refreshments.

**If you still need community service hours for this semester please email breehl.11@osu.edu 

Alex Rogers, a TOPS alumni, joins the advisory board in central Ohio for Best Buddies.

“Best Buddies Advisory Board in Central Ohio is a group of diverse community leaders who [are] outstanding representatives…advancing the mission of inclusion through one-on-one friendships and leadership development programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).” (BestBuddies.org).

To read the entire article, click the following link: https://www.bestbuddies.org/ohio/best-buddies-in-ohio-welcomes-alex-rogers-to-best-buddies-advisory-board-in-central-ohio?engageddonorid=6078ede9-8b0a-465e-918e-8b823e3f815d&utm_source=Engaged+Donor&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=website

TOPS is proud of you, Alex Rogers!

On February 27th, TOPS students had a blast spending time with a therapy dog. Here is what Ziyue, a TOPS intern, had to say about this experience,

“On a dreary, rain-soaked day, the presence of a furry friend breaks through the gloom and warms us to our core. Her name is Cascade, a therapy dog from Buckeye Paws. With her infectious smile and gentle demeanor, she effortlessly melts away our worries and stress, leaving us feeling refreshed and renewed. As she pads her way into our lives, Monday suddenly becomes infused with a vibrant energy, and we find ourselves grateful for the simple joy of spending time with such a lovely creature.”

If you want to learn more about Buckeye Paws, click on the following link!  https://medicine.osu.edu/departments/psychiatry-and-behavioral-health/buckeye-paws

What is it?

It is an online survey to aid in a research project that will only take about 10-15 minutes

Who can take it? YOU!!

… As long as you are an Alumni from the TOPS program!!

If that is the case please take the following survey:

https://freeonlinesurveys.com/s/EF3hmu8q

Thank you!

Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is looking for people to write handwritten thank-you notes to people who have made contributions to this foundation. Volunteers write the notes but are provided with supplies.

For more information please click on the following link:

https://www.volunteermatch.org/search/opp3217322.jsp

Elizabeth, Carly, and Taylor volunteered on February 15th at Mid-Ohio Food Collective in Grove City. They had a blast working together, listening to music, and helping people in need. Just on Tuesday, the Mid-Ohio Food Bank in Grove City served almost 1,000 people! That’s amazing! Elizabeth, Carly, and Taylor are thankful to have been able to participate in giving back to the community.

After their hard work, they went to Panera on Lane and High to relax and spend some time socializing.

If you have yet to complete your community service hours please email breehl.11@osu.edu and I can help you find different opportunities.

How To Think College is offering scholarships for students with intellectual disabilities!!

For more information click on the following link:

TopsScholarshipHowToThinkCollege