Hattie Larlham

12/24/2025

Merry Christmas Eve! Our little learners at Dahlberg must have made the Nice List this year, because they received an early visit from Santa! 🎅 Smiles filled the room as Santa delivered some special early gifts. 🎁💙

12/23/2025

All month long, we’ve been exploring, connecting, and engaging with you through meaningful personal stories. This week, let’s LEARN together as we share Jane’s story. 💙

If there’s anyone who can attest to the impact and fun that comes out of Hattie Larlham’s Franklin County Recreation program, it’s Jane and her sister, Lisa. Jane has been a member of Franklin County Recreation (FCR) for over thirty years and she’s still learning new things, embracing new experiences, and building lasting friendships. Lisa is Jane’s legal guardian and has been with her over the years, helping her to gain her independence and thrive as an adult.

“I just think that Jane’s been fortunate to be able to be involved in the community and in the programs that she has. And I think Hattie is a good example of an organization that recognizes the need for individuals to have experiences and exposure to different activities as well as the opportunity to participate in those.” After more than three decades of watching her sister thrive with FCR, Lisa explained why the program is so important.

Read more to see how Hattie Larlham and your support help adults like Jane learn and thrive each day: https://www.hattielarlham.org/impact/personal-stories/jane

12/22/2025

Christmas is just around the corner! 🎄✨
All seven of our Excel locations celebrated with festive holiday parties last Friday. Everyone enjoyed delicious snacks, holiday-themed games, and some were even lucky enough to receive a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus! 🎅🤶
It truly is the most wonderful time of the year. 💙🎁

12/19/2025

This morning, our friends from Medical Mutual joined us at our Middleburg Heights Excel location for a Christmas party! We enjoyed lunch, festive games, and great company. Visits from our partners mean so much to our members and help them stay connected and engaged within the community. We’re incredibly grateful to Medical Mutual for celebrating with us today! 💙🎁

12/18/2025

Last Sunday, we hosted our annual Holiday Dinner at the Center! 🍽️🎄
This special evening brought our residents and their families together to celebrate the season, share a delicious meal, and engage in meaningful moments of connection. We love getting the opportunity to gather like this, especially during the holidays!

12/17/2025

All aboard!!! 🚂🎅

FCR Members recently took a ride on the Santa Train, and of course we couldn’t miss the chance to snap a few photos with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and even the Grinch! Festive outings like these help keep our members engaged and smiling all winter long even when the temperatures drop. 💙

12/16/2025

Last week we connected with the Callahan Family. This week, we invite you to engage in Emily’s story. 💙

Scott’s daughter, Emily, began her journey with Hattie Larlham when she graduated high school several years ago. Of that transition time, Scott said, “Our family was really exploring, like, ‘where does she go next?’ We started touring places and fortunately the Excel program in Westerville was on our list.” Scott went on to say how everything about the program aligned with his and his wife’s requirements for day programs, especially knowing that Emily is on the quiet side and would need a special place to help engage her and bring her out of her shell.

Every dollar raised at Hattie Larlham helps create priceless stories of success and gratitude like Scott’s and Emily’s, and we are deeply grateful. Consider making a special year-end gift today and know that your generosity will make a lasting impact in the lives of many.

https://www.hattielarlham.org/support/donate/2025-year-end-giving

12/12/2025

Our programs are embracing the holiday season to the fullest! Members at our Excel locations love getting out into the community, and our Twinsburg group recently visited the mall to enjoy all the festive décor. 🎄

You can help make experiences like this possible. A year-end gift supports meaningful opportunities for people with disabilities to CONNECT & thrive. You can make a donation online today. Your generosity helps us shine .
https://www.hattielarlham.org/support/donate/2025-year-end-giving 💙

12/11/2025

For the past several weeks, four of our Center residents, Cevanna, Ta’Myra, Sophia, and Nishi, have been attending dance classes through Akron Children’s Dance Unlimited program to gear up for their Winter Recital! Yesterday, they had their final rehearsal before the big day this Saturday. The program provides a fun, supportive environment where they can build mobility, develop independence, express choice, form connections, and experience joy.

Join us in wishing all the dancers the best of luck at their recital this Saturday! 💙

This Saturday at 3 p.m., the public is invited to Akron Summit County Main Library for a unique recital.

12/10/2025

A group of FCR Members recently enjoyed a trip to Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium! 🎄 It was the perfect way to spend time together, celebrate the season, and connect with one another in a joyful and meaningful way. We love seeing our members build new connections through experiences like these. 💙

12/09/2025

Last week we explored Tino's story, and this week we want to Connect you with Andrew and the Callahan family 💙

For the Callahan family, connection has always been key. As local business owners of Callahan’s Flooring, Christine and Larry take pride in the work that they do connecting with and serving the needs of the Hudson community and surrounding neighborhoods. As parents, they’re actively involved with the Hudson school system, which has embraced and supported both of their children, Andrew and Claire. And, as advocates for people with disabilities, they place a high value in connecting with families who have faced challenges like theirs and with those who may not yet know why inclusion and accessibility are so deeply important within every community.

Today, we're encouraging you to read Andrew's story and see how Hattie Larlham and your support help families like The Callahans connect and thrive each day.
READ HERE : https://www.hattielarlham.org/impact/personal-stories/andrew

12/05/2025

This week we held our 2025 Year-End Celebration & Employee Awards across our three regions to acknowledge all the amazing individuals that work here at Hattie Larlham. We celebrated those who have reached service milestones, our 2025 retirees, external award winners, and our four Employee Excellence Awards.

Thank you to all of our employees across the organization that continuously commit to providing the highest quality to those individuals that we serve. Your work does not go unnoticed, and we are so appreciative for all you do. 💙