A Class By Itself: Menorah Park’s Rose Institute Celebrates 18 Years of Life Long Learning n June 11, Menorah Park’s Rose Institute for Life Long Learning held its 18th Achievement Ceremony. Incidentally, eighteen is the numerical value of the Hebrew word chai, which means life. As research continues to support that lifelong educational opportunities are the secret to a healthier, longer life, Menorah Park wholeheartedly supports these Pictured: Connie Berland, findings and provides programming with Wiggins Place adto help promote mental wellness. ministrator Nancy Sutula, Over the past eighteen years, receives Valedictorian more than 1,800 students have Award. participated in 733 classes offered by 278 instructors. The program’s Lila Newman receives this true accomplishments are not in year’s Rose Award. the attainment of any particular achievement level, but in providing opportunities for participants to challenge their minds, enhance the quality of their lives, and grow as individuals. Lila Newman, this year’s recipient of the Rose Award given for strong dedication to learning, has attended classes for almost eleven years. “On a scale of 1-10, it’s a 12!” says Newman. She admits her favorite classes are the political ones. At 91, Connie Berland, recipient of the Valedictorian Award, is certain she maintains a sharper brain because of the classes. Having attended for six years, she says it’s a wonderful way to keep seniors engaged. Through programs with the Rose Institute, Menorah Park celebrates the meaning, vitality and excitement of life with each and every resident. O Milestones Autism Resources Honors Three Northeast Ohio Employers A Local Youth Places 1st in Competition T he ninth-annual Continental Cup International Youth Sports Festival recently took place at various venues throughout northeast Ohio, with athletes competing in baseball, soccer and basketball. This year’s Continental Cup featured 3,200 athletes from the United States, Canada, Mongolia, Nepal, Nigeria, Kenya, Colombia, Indonesia, France and Greece. The event contributed an estimate of $3.6 million in regional economic activity. Congratulations go to Andrew Belleli and the Spiders Baseball Club for placing first in the 12-year-old age group. The Cleveland Indians is one of the team’s sponsors. t its recent Autism Spectrum Disorder Conference, Milestones Autism Resources honored three northeast Ohio employers for creating opportunities for employees with all abilities in their workplaces. Honorees included Cleveland Clinic, Natural Essentials, Inc., and Independence Community Center. “One challenge we’re facing is employment for individuals with developmental disabilities,” said Ilana Hoffer Skoff, co-founder and executive director of Milestones Autism Resources. “We choose to highlight these visionary employers for creating work environments that other businesses can emulate.” Cleveland Clinic has worked with several adult service providers to hire individuals with disabilities. These individuals have worked in various departments for more than 30 years. The clinic provides training through their Disability Task Force, which promotes an environment that is welcoming and accessible to people with disabilities. Natural Essentials, Inc., an FDA-Registered Drug Manufacturing Facility, hires individuals with developmental disabilities with the objective of training individuals to realize their true potential. The City of Independence Community Center has created an inclusive environment, with on-site, hands-on training and regular follow-up for employees with disabilities. Every year, Milestones Autism Resources hosts the Milestones Autism Spectrum Disorder Conference that brings family members and leading experts in the field of autism together to share evidence-based practical strategies and best practices. The 2014 event attracted 1,000 attendees and included more than 45 exhibitors and over 75 workshops. Nationally-recognized speakers presented on topics ranging from ground-breaking research to job coaching, funding to self-advocacy and many more. For more information, visit milestones. org. Pictured: Andrew Belleli with his dad, David. 44 Beachwood Buzz n August 2014