The Ability Center

11/07/2025

This past October we celebrated and honored our Assistance Dogs at our Signature Fall Graduation. Attendees had the honor of watching our fosters pass the leash to the recipients whom these dogs will be serving. The graduation class consisted of service, skilled companion, and school facility dogs who all have successfully completed their 2 years of training.

A highlight of the evening was hearing our keynote speaker Holly Koester, U.S. Army Veteran, speak about her incredible story and her journey with her assistance dog, Flare. We were incredibly honored to have her attend!

Lastly we would like to thank all our volunteers. We truly appreciate all the time each and every one of you pour into this program.💙💙

Our night was beautifully captured by Doug Hinebaugh and made possible by our incredible sponsors:

MITER Foundation
Fickwood Plumbing
UToledo Health
Savage
Hylant

Congratulations to our 8 graduating dogs and their recipients! 🐾

11/06/2025

"Strong communities aren’t built alone—they’re built by neighbors generously supporting neighbors" – Andrew Stocking, President, CEO at Principle Business Enterprises, Inc.

Yesterday was the official opening of our Northwest Ohio Medical Supply Closet, in partnership with the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc. and Principle Business Enterprises.

Through this collaboration, we’re proud to provide incontinence supplies at no cost, every 1st Wednesday of each month from 10am to 3pm. We’re honored to be part of this important initiative to serve the Northwest Ohio community.

Thank you to our vendors for supporting this great collaboration:

Lucas County Veterans Service Commission
Toledo Lucas County Public Library
The Sight Center of Northwest Ohio
Alzheimer's Association
Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority
MemoryLane Care Services
SeaGate Food Bank
Pathway Inc.
Mobile Meals of Toledo

Learn more about our program at: abilitycenter.org/medical-supply-closet

11/05/2025

Today’s the day! Stop by our Medical Supply Closet Open House for free incontinence supplies, available until 3pm today. 💛

Thank you to the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc. and Principle Business Enterprises for partnering with us to launch this important community resource.

Help spread the word to our community! FREE incontinence supplies will be available for pickup at The Ability Center (5605 Monroe Street) every first Wednesday of the month from 10am to 3pm.

Learn more at abilitycenter.org/medical-supply-closet

11/03/2025

This Wednesday marks the launch of our FREE Adult Absorbent Products Program!

In partnership with the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc. and Principle Business Enterprises, manufacturer of Tranquility.

Visit our Medical Supply Closet at The Ability Center anytime on November 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event is open to adults, caregivers, local agencies, and partners seeking support in receiving absorbent products.

Hope to see you this Wednesday!

Learn more at abilitycenter.org/medical-supply-closet

10/31/2025

November is around the corner, and so are these upcoming events! 🍂

Learn more details and register for events at abilitycenter.org/events

Please, spread the word and tag your friends and family!💛

10/30/2025

Thank you to Melissa Burden and The Blade for featuring our new partnership with First Tee - Lake Erie for All Access Golf, a new adaptive sports initiative designed to make golf more inclusive and accessible for adults with disabilities. 💛

Michael Faulkner played golf for 23 years until he couldn’t. In 2021, Mr. Faulkner had just left his job as a general manager with Aaron’s to become a ...

10/29/2025

Thank you to Amanda Fay, Anchor/Reporter and WTOL 11 for featuring our new partnership with the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc. and Principle Business Enterprises. 💙

Join us for our Open House and Resource Fair on November 5 at The Ability Center from 10am to 3pm.

Together, we are launching the Northwest Ohio Medical Supply Closet, a new community resource providing free incontinence supplies and one on one support for adults.

Free and open to the community.

Learn more at abilitycenter.org/medical-supply-closet
Watch the WTOL story: https://www.wtol.com/video/news/local/local-partnership-aims-to-help-caregivers-older-residents-in-the-area/512-fe104aa2-0aa1-4192-b0fd-85e1e76782ba

10/28/2025

On December 2, 2021, Michael Faulkner experienced a hemorrhagic stroke that left him paralyzed on his left side.

Through dedicated therapy, hard work, and goal-setting, Michael began returning to daily activities, including work, despite ongoing left-sided weakness. This experience made him realize that he needed a life change and could not let his second chance at life go to waste.

Join Michael for fun meet-ups every month as part of our Stroke Survivor Group. From movies and meals to golfing and new adventures, our group is here to support you, make life fun again, and help you build lasting friendships.

It’s about more than just getting by – it’s about living fully and finding strength in community.

Our next event is on November 11th from 4:30pm-7pm. You can learn more here: https://abilitycenter.org/stroke-group/

10/27/2025

We had an incredible week celebrating our Assistance Dogs Graduation, Trail of Terror, and the launch of All Access Golf! 💛

Our hearts are full after we honored our Assistance Dogs on Thursday at our signature Fall Graduation. Thank you to our amazing staff, volunteers, and supporters who make moments like this possible. A special thank you to our sponsors MITER Foundation, Fickwood Plumbing, UToledo Health, Savage, and Hylant for helping us host a life-changing experience for our graduates and their dogs. We are so grateful.

The Trail of Terror on Friday was a huge success with more than 230 visitors joining us on campus. A big thank you to our volunteers and vendors (LP) Life's a Party, BD’s Lemonade King, City Soda , Sabrosa.tacotruck, and Tosha's Cake Addiction) for helping make the night such a fun experience for everyone.

On Saturday, we partnered with First Tee - Lake Erie to officially launch All Access Golf. We can’t wait to start our Spring 2026 team and are looking for new players to join our team. If you’re interested, contact Sam Chipps at schipps@abilitycenter.org or call 419-885-5733.

Want to join us for future events? Visit abilitycenter.org/events to learn more.

10/24/2025

We're excited to announce our newest partnership with First Tee - Lake Erie to launch All Access Golf, a new adaptive sports initiative designed to make golf more inclusive and accessible for adults with disabilities.

Interested? Together we're hosting an open house tomorrow at First Tee - Lake Erie from 11am - 1pm.

Learn more here: https://abilitycenter.org/event/first-tee-october/

10/22/2025

Join us this Friday from 8pm-10pm for a frightfully good time at our FREE accessible haunted trail. 🎃

Parking is available on our campus at the front of the Main Building and Kennel Building (5605 Monroe Street). Parking attendants will be there to assist.

Our haunted trail is perfect for teens and adults, but fun for all ages! Local food trucks and fun carnival style Halloween games will also be present at the event! 🍂

Register HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trail-of-terror-tickets-1687830389129?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

***Warning: Our haunted trail may not be suitable for all ages or sensitivities. Please use discretion and ask staff for guidance if needed.

For questions, contact Jordan Slutsky, Independent Living Coordinator, at jslutsky@abilitycenter.org or 419-885-5733 ext. 207.

10/21/2025

Join us on Nov. 5 for our Northwest Ohio Medical Supply Closet open house and resource fair!

In partnership with the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc. and Principle Business Enterprises, we’re launching a new community resource providing free incontinence supplies and one-on-one support for adults!

After the launch, supplies will be available for pickup on the first Wednesday of each month.

Event Schedule
🗞️ Press Conference: 10 – 10:30 AM
🏠 Open House: 10:30 AM – 3 PM

Free and open to the community.
For questions, call 419-885-5733.

Learn more at: abilitycenter.org/medical-supply-closet