School dedicated

The new high-tech high school building was dedicated on the city's near west side.

Read Detroit Free Press story here

Helping out

Life Skills Center of Cincinnati staff recently volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House in Cincinnati during an inservice day.

Guests at the Ronald McDonald House in Cincinnati were treated to a pair of home-cooked meals prepared by Life Skills teachers and staff.

The staff at Life Skills Center Cincinnati split into two groups and served meals on two different days to children and their families receiving long-term care at Children’s Hospital.

The experience proved valuable both as community service and as a team building exercise.

The groups met early at the grocery store and bought supplies to feed approximately fifty children and family members.

Then they drove to the Ronald McDonald House and invaded the kitchen.

The Life Skills teams prepared a hearty brunch consisting of virtually every kind of breakfast food, including several unique “family recipe” entrees.

The food must have been good, as very little was left behind.

Some guests even took “doggie bags” of favorite dishes to their family members still in the hospital.

Sincere thanks were offered by almost all of the diners.


After the crowd was gone and the kitchen was clean, the crew was treated to an extensive tour of the facilities. The House is truly a first-class facility and the staff was visible moved by the good work being done there. All in attendance agreed that this was an experience that should be repeated.

Ronald McDonald House Web site

Great day for a parade

Life Skills Center of Elyria staff and students recently participated in the Avon Heritage Duct Tape Festival parade.

Early meal

Students eat breakfast with their guests during a recent Bring a Friend Day held at the school.

Cedar Point trip

Life Skills Center staff and students recently participated in a trip to Cedar Point.

Student writes poetry

A full-blooded American Sioux Indian is preparing for a career in art through Life Skills Center of Akron.

Louis Reddest, 21, of Akron, came back to the school after living on a Sioux reservation in South Dakota.

Reddest likes drawing and poetry.

"I like rhymes and lullabies," he said. "Whatever comes near."

Reddest, who plans on studying oil painting at South Dakota State University after graduating at the end of the year.

He says he likes working with computers and the teachers at Life Skills.

"They help you see things more clearly," Reddest said.

Here is a sample of his poetry:

I Miss You

I’m missing you each day, hoping that you’ll come my way.
I can sit and wait till that dream comes true.
The dream I dreamt of being with you.

If I could take back the day that passed,
I’d do it in a hurry and really fast
And you’ll be home quickly, and then it will last.

I can’t tell you this feeling of loneliness,
But I can tell you that it started with our first kiss.
That is something you did not miss.

You glowed so bright and made everything right.
That’s why I chose your love, the very first night.

I really do miss your hugs and kisses.
I will do anything possible to see your smiles,
Even if it means walking the distance of the United States miles.

Louis Reddest/Blue Thunder
Rosebud I. Reserve

Diabetes fight kicks off

Life Skills Centers, Hope Academies and the Ohio Distance and Electronic Learning Academy are teaming up to help fight diabetes.

A kickoff event was held Aug. 8 in the third floor of the Main Place in Akron to launch a drive to raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Fruit smoothies and cookies were served and glucose screenings were offered.

Online bingo, raffles and a poker game are planned to raise funds for the walk, which will be held Sept. 8 at the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Museum in Canton.

Participants can register for the walk at www.jdrf.org.



White Hat Management Founder David Brennan spoke at the event about his struggle with diabetes.

You can see his speech here.

Like Skills backs tour stop

Life Skills Center sponsored the Russ Parr Morning Show bus tour, which stopped by the Cleveland State University auditorium on Aug. 6.

Life Skills Center of Cleveland Family Advocate David Hatcher was interviewed on the program. (sixth and seventh picture down)

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and U.S. Rep Stephanie Tubbs Jones were also featured. (fourth picture down).

Alumni luncheon planned

Life Skills Center of Lake Erie will hold an alumni luncheon noon-1 p.m. Aug. 16 at the school, 9200 Madison Ave., Cleveland.

For information, call 216-631-1090.

School featured on FastFocus TV

School gets game room

Life Skills Center of Lake Erie administrator Joe Czerwien, above, talks about the new game room at the school. Czerwien said the game room is offered as an incentive during the summer for academic achievement and attendance.