Provided by Lorn Spolter Photography
LifeTown, a facility designed to help students with special needs develop transition skills, this week honored Jeffrey and Ariela Schottenstein and hosted keynote speaker Michael Phelps. To celebrate, we held the annual LifeTown Legend Luncheon.
The LifeTown Legends Luncheon honors outstanding individuals who have empowered vulnerable children with special needs and at-risk teens.
A crowd of 1,000 people gathered at the luncheon in Columbus, Ohio, to honor the Schottensteins, along with Robert Woodward, for their contributions to LifeTown’s growth and influence.
The 53,000-square-foot simulated indoor city in Livingston, N.J., provides recreational and therapeutic play opportunities in a fully accessible and inclusive environment while helping special needs students develop transitional life skills. Developed by special education experts to help you learn.
Using an evidence-based model for life skills development, teachers develop each student’s LifeTown lessons based on the student’s needs and focus on three areas of transition skills: personal and social, independent living; Improve your pre-employment abilities.
Students can practice their skills in a simulated city while interacting with store owners, including stores, banks, salons, and clinics.
In addition to founding the Jeffrey Schottenstein Program for Resilience and supporting the Kitchen of Life Program at Ohio State University, Jeffrey and Ariella Schottenstein are He is also a dedicated supporter of Town. Their support of LifeTown reflects their deeply held belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a fulfilling life, and helps create a nurturing environment where students can thrive regardless of their circumstances. I did.
Jeffrey Schottenstein invited Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps to speak at the luncheon. Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history with 28 medals, is also a mental health advocate, encouraging others, especially those facing adversity, to deal with their emotions. We encourage you to do so.
“We’re all human beings with feelings and emotions, and it’s okay to have them. I would say that when it comes to feelings and emotions, it’s important to make sure you talk about them.” Phelps said.
Mr. Phelps’ message resonates with LifeTown’s mission, as students’ mental well-being is a critical component of their development and success.
Jeffrey Schottenstein said, “We are extremely humbled by this honor, as there are only two college-level programs at this time, including the one we have built at Ohio State University, and this work has only just begun.” I think it just happened.”
He added: “We are breaking down the stigma of mental illness. There is nothing more powerful than being able to use your vulnerability to come forward. This is something that is very important to me and to my friends. I want others to know that they can reach out to me,” he added. , loved ones, and strangers in times of need. ”
“Michael continues to give hope to so many people,” said Rabbi Aleya Kaltman, executive director of the Lori Schottenstein Chabad Center in New Albany, which oversees LifeTown. And if he can solve these problems by sharing it with the world.” He teaches children that they should not feel isolated and that it is important to ask for help. ”
TMX Contributed to this story.
