Creative Living Awarded 2025 Reeve Foundation Quality of Life Grant | Creative Living

Columbus, OH – Creative Living is proud to announce it has been awarded a $25,000 Quality of Life Grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation as part of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC) 2025 Direct Effect 1st Cycle Quality of Life grants. Sixty-one grants totaling $1,240,870 were awarded. The Quality of Life Grants Program supports
nonprofit organizations that empower individuals living with paralysis. Since the Quality of Life Grants Program’s inception, more than 4,000 grants totaling $48 million have been awarded. Funding for this program was made possible through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living (ACL grant 90PRRC0006-04).

The Reeve Foundation’s National Paralysis Resource Center offers several grants under the Quality of Life program, awarding grants in various categories with different amounts.

“These grants represent more than funding—they represent freedom, possibility, and dignity for individuals living with paralysis,” said Dan McNeal, Director of the Quality of Life Grants Program at the Reeve Foundation. “At the heart of our mission is a commitment to improving everyday life for our community. We’re proud to support organizations across the country that are removing barriers and building programs rooted in equity, accessibility, and compassion.”

The funding will directly support:

• The Resident Assistant Program which provides 24/7 on-call support, 365 days of the year for the
  34 residents who live at Creative Living. This one-of-a-kind program ensures the support residents
  need to maintain their independence and empower their lives.
• Adaptive technology upgrades that make daily living and communication more accessible.
• Resident wellness and life-skills workshops and education focused on health, self-advocacy,
  and personal growth.
• Community-building events that foster peer connections, reduce isolation, and increase inclusion.

By investing in these initiatives, Creative Living advances its mission of providing affordable,wheelchair-accessible housing and services that promote independence, dignity, and meaningful community engagement.

“This grant from the Reeve Foundation will allow us to strengthen independence for our residents through expanded access to adaptive technology, peer mentorship programs, and community engagement activities,” said Mike Lightbody, Executive Director of Creative Living. “With their support, we can continue to create a welcoming, inclusive environment where residents are empowered to live, learn, and thrive.”

For more information about Creative Living, visit www.creative-living.org. To learn more about the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation and its National Paralysis Resource Center, visit www.ChristopherReeve.org.

About the Reeve Foundation
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis. By uniting the brightest minds in the field, we are working tirelessly to accelerate scientific discoveries across the field of spinal cord research by investing in labs across the globe. Additionally, through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living, the Reeve Foundation’s National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC) promotes the health, wellbeing, and independence of people living with paralysis, providing comprehensive information, resources, and referral services, assisting over 100,000 individuals and families since its launch in 2002. The Reeve Foundation is committed to elevating our community’s voices and needs to achieve greater representation and independence. We meet all 20
of the Better Business Bureau’s standards for charity accountability and hold the BBB’s Charity Seal. For more information, please visit our website at www.ChristopherReeve.org or call 800-225-0292.

About Creative Living
Our Mission: Inspired. Empowered. Independent Living.
Creative Living provides safe, affordable, wheelchair-accessible housing for adults with physical disabilities who desire to live independently, further their education, pursue careers and contribute to the community. At the heart of our mission is the Resident Assistant Program, which provides 24/7, on-call, non-medical support, 365 days a year. From helping with transfers and retrieving items to carrying groceries or responding to emergencies, this vital service ensures residents have access to the assistance they need, day or night. This program fills the gap between personal care services and independent living, offering peace of mind and enabling residents to thrive. For more information, please visit our website at www.Creative-Living.org or call (614) 421-1226.