Integrated Community Solutions: Empowering Inclusion, Independence, and Accessible Living
Integrated Community Solutions (ICS) is a nonprofit dedicated to people with developmental disabilities (DD). It was created in 2021 by Lisa Morrison, a parent of three adult children on the autism spectrum. She desires to ensure that her children and others like them have safe, supportive homes where friends and other caring individuals surround them. I met with Lisa to discuss her nonprofit and offered ideas for the future. As a dynamic and charismatic woman, I could see her eyes light up when she spoke about ICS, and I could tell this was her passion. She gave me a brochure about ICS stating, ” ICS’s mission is to develop communities that provide social engagement, independent living skill development, educational enrichment, vocational training and employment opportunities, and integrated housing choices for people with and without DD.”
The list of social engagement programs and outings offered is extensive. There are programs for people ages 9 to adult. In 2023 230 unique persons with DD were served in the ICS Programs and outings including yoga, basketball, bingo, game night, movie night, food delivery volunteer program, personal financial management, apple picking, hayrides, 5K Running Group, and many more. They pair community service with places like Cups Cafe and Feeding Medina County. This is the 3rd year they have paired with the Race for Grace run as volunteers. There have been 2,071 participants in all programs. There are ways to socialize, ways to give back, and ways to learn new skills. To see the current calendar of activities being offered go to: https://www.ics-oh.org/current-programs The list is ever-increasing and they are always looking for volunteers to teach such valuable things as conversation starters, back-and-forth conversation, and social stories. If you have a skill that you would like to share with this group, email Lisa at: info@ics-oh.org.
Another exciting part of Integrated Community Solutions is Autumn Bridge Crossing, a residential community. It will be the first in Ohio for home ownership as a safe, supportive, and affordable community in Medina County. It will be developed on 12- 2o acres of land for approximately 50 adults ages 21 and older with and without DD. The front porches of the home will face a central greenspace. They plan to build and operate a 10,000-square-foot enrichment center that will serve as a venue for programs such as art, music, technology, a communal dining area, and a teaching and event kitchen. The interest list for those interested in living in the Autumn Bridge Crossing residential community is now open. Go to the website home page, scroll to “Residential Interest Signup” and complete the questions. This is an interest list only, not a waiting list or priority list. There is a FAQs page for this to be found on their website: https://www.ics-oh.org/faqs
The future looks very bright for Integrated Community Solutions. From their wide range of social engagement activities and outings, it is something that any parent of children with developmental disabilities should consider. All social and educational groups are free except for the art group. The art group has a $5 fee to help cover expenses. Please tell your friends about this group, they are amazing. Follow this group on Facebook@Integrated Community Solutions. You can contact them either by phone at (216) 280-7755 or email them at info@ics-oh.org. It is a 501(c)(3) and to donate to help them achieve their vision you can go to: ics-oh.org/donate
Read the story about ICS featured on November 17, 2022:
https://online.fliphtml5.com/zjng/bfnd/#p=1
Read more stories about ICS at:
https://www.ics-oh.org/news-and-blog
