Roots & Clay
What is the Roots & Clay Initiative?
When people are given space to grow, their gifts can change the world around them. Roots & Clay is an initiative focused in developing a more inclusive future, where disability services allow an individual's creative spirit to guide their personal growth. This capital campaign's aim is to develop an art studio, greenhouse, and transform a preexisting space to create a cultural community center that teaches important life skills through an arts integration model.
This is a window into that vision. It’s where you’ll see dreams taking shape, partnerships blooming, and the remarkable ways our individuals are creating, learning, and leading in new ways. You’ll also see the impact of every partner and advocate who chooses to support this initiative. Join us as Manahan pushes forward to foster community engagement, creative expression, and a safe environment where a kinship of artists and growers, both disabled and non-disabled, can thrive together.
Special Thanks to...
Manahan is proud to recognize the Josina Lott Foundation for its extraordinary $400,000 commitment to the Roots & Clay initiative.
This remarkable investment is a powerful endorsement of what this project can mean for the people we serve and for the broader community of Toledo. The Josina Lott Foundation is helping turn an ambitious vision into a tangible opportunity for people living with developmental disabilities to grow, create, contribute and build greater independence.
With the Josina Lott Foundation paving the way, this campaign has meaningful momentum and a strong foundation for success. Their investment brings us one step closer to making this vision a reality, while creating an opportunity for others to join them in shaping what comes next.
We are deeply grateful for the trust, leadership, and belief in Manahan that the Josina Lott Foundation has given us. We invite others who share that belief to add their support and help us carry this vision across the finish line.
The Vision Taking Shape
Free Bird Studios: Building Confidence Through Clay
Our partnership with Free Bird Studios has given our individuals a strong and inspiring foundation in ceramics. Through a blend of one-on-one instruction and supportive group learning, artists have had the chance to explore hand-building, try their hands at wheel work, and experiment with new techniques that spark creativity and confidence.
Morgan Ramsdell, the owner, artist, and creator of Freebird Studios, has provided us a space to learn at their own pace, encouragement from a professional artist, and the joy of creating something that is uniquely their own.
These early experiences are helping shape the skills and excitement that will carry into the Root & Clay art studio once it opens, and they remind us how powerful hands-on learning can be.
Learning Through Nature
Our work with Outdoor Sylvania has added a hands-on, nature-based dimension to the Roots & Clay experience. Through guided sessions, individuals are learning about native plants, how to cultivate and care for them, and what it means to tend the environment with kindness and respect. These experiences give our participants the chance to dig in—literally—while building skills they’ll carry into our future greenhouse programs.
A special part of this partnership has been reconnecting with Dawson Howard, who first came to Manahan as a high school volunteer and is now leading us through these lessons in his role with Outdoor Sylvania. His return feels like a homecoming, and his leadership has helped create meaningful, hands-on learning moments that strengthen both confidence and connection.
Toledo Mindfulness Institute: Growing Emotional Wellness
As Root & Clay continues to expand, emotional wellness has become an essential part of the foundation we’re building. You cannot give others a 100% if you aren't at 100% yourself!
Our partnership with the Toledo Mindfulness Institute has brought meaningful depth to that work. Under the guidance of Isabella Weich, individuals are learning practical tools for stress management, emotional intelligence, and healthy coping—skills that strengthen confidence both in and beyond our programs.
Isabella’s thoughtful approach has created a space where participants feel supported, seen, and empowered to understand their own emotions. These mindfulness sessions are helping our individuals navigate daily stresses with calm and intention, adding a vital layer of growth to the Root & Clay journey.
Music Surrounds Us
Music has stood for a long time as a connection between different communities because of its ability to be a universal language. It has been used to help understand intense emotions, connect people from different backgrounds, and find new meaning in the worlds around us. This holds true for the people that call Manahan home. Many of them have a deep connection to music or are musicians themselves.
It was an incredible opportunity when longtime friend and musician himself, Buddy Love, came to us with the idea of starting a band at Manahan… it was an easy decision to make. Since then, Buddy has brought together musicians of all experience levels at Manahan, meeting everyone where they are while never underestimating what they can do. The result has been a room full of music, singing, dancing, laughter, and plenty of excitement. The group has already prepared two songs, and they sound great!
Now, they are working toward their first concert in front of their families this winter. Buddy has been able to teach what makes music so special and is something that transcends the instruments they are playing. It is about helping each person discover what they are capable of, build confidence, and experience the joy of creating something together. We cannot wait to see everyone take the stage and showcase their musical ability!