Greetings,

We hope everyone is doing well.

We have completed three weeks of our annual summer camp here at the Happy Day Services building, with four more weeks to go in July. Thank you to the campers, families, and Akron Rotary for making this such a wonderful yearly tradition.

We would also like to congratulate the Portage DD Special Olympics athletes who competed in the State Summer Games in June. We are proud of our athletes, coaches, and the Portage DD staff who put their energy and hearts into making this another successful season. Congratulations to all!

Lastly, we want to provide an update regarding our current financial situation. Over the last three years, we have experienced a significant increase in waiver costs, with no current signs of these costs decreasing. To manage this, we have reduced or cut some programs and have strategically chosen not to fill four positions that became vacant through retirement or resignation so far in 2026. We are working diligently to preserve our essential programs and services.

While discussions are ongoing, there are no definitive changes currently in place to address these increased costs. Our system may look different in the future, and we will keep everyone updated as new developments occur. We remain committed to identifying ways to preserve essential services and acting as responsible stewards of the levy funds entrusted to us by the residents of Portage County.

We deeply appreciate the trust and support the community has shown Portage DD. Thank you for your continued partnership.

Believe in People!

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU.

Sincerely,

John Vennetti