LifeTown Columbus

09/16/2026

Thank you, Governor DeWine, for making this milestone so incredibly special. Today, you didn’t simply cut a ribbon, you helped open the door to a new future for our children. With AI Super Buddy, we are beginning a new chapter where children become the teachers, discover their own strength, self worth and confidence. We are deeply grateful for your leadership, for championing Ohio’s children, and for believing in what is possible for every child. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

09/15/2026

A historic day at LifeTown, and the beginning of something much, much bigger.

We were deeply honored to welcome Governor Mike DeWine to cut the ribbon for AI Super Buddy, alongside Corrine Burger- CEO of the Columbus Partnership, Dr. Sharee Wells, Superintendent of Whitehall City Schools and Marina- mother of Ben, whose legacy inspired Super Buddy, the worlds first AI hologram used to curb teenage su***de and addiction.

Through Mirror Learning, the child becomes the teacher and AI becomes the student. Students teach Super Buddy what they’ve learned, reinforcing critical life and safety skills while building confidence and self-worth.

Miami University researchers conducted a randomized controlled study of Super Buddy, with 71% of students using Super Buddy voluntarily continued learning, compared with 30% using a traditional worksheet.

Beginning today, LifeTown students will use Super Buddy every day—with a vision born in Ohio and built to reach children nationwide.

Thank you, Governor DeWine, for championing Ohio’s children—and believing in what’s possible for every one of them.

09/07/2026

Unleashing the superpowers in every child! Watch as LifeTown students take the skills they’ve learned beyond our doors—onto the soccer field and into the community as an honorary police officer! ⚽️👮‍♂️✨

09/02/2026

🚨 BREAKING NEWS FROM LIFETOWN 🚨
Adam Schefter is known for breaking some of the biggest news in sports.

But at the 2026 LifeTown Legends Luncheon, Adam joined LifeTown to break some news of our own.

In front of 1,306 friends, partners and community leaders, we unveiled Mia Super Buddy™ — a first-of-its-kind AI hologram designed to empower all students with the resilience, self-worth and confidence to make healthier choices and help combat the growing crises of teen su***de and addiction.

Using “mirror learning,” students become the teacher — explaining what they’ve learned back to their Super Buddy in their own words.

And the results are powerful: A study conducted with Miami University and Whitehall City Schools found students working with Super Buddy were 71% more engaged and more than twice as likely to voluntarily continue learning than students receiving the same lessons through traditional worksheets.

We were incredibly proud to honor our LifeTown Legends, Ratmir Timashev, Michael Goldberg, ADAMH Board of Franklin County Students of the Year, and grateful to be joined by Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, and so many extraordinary leaders from across our community. Thank you to our President, Skip Weiler luncheon chair Brian Schottenstein!

Most of all, thank you to the community partners Columbus City Schools, Whitehall City Schools , sponsors, educators, elected officials, volunteers and friends who make LifeTown possible. Your belief in our children is what allows us to dream bigger, innovate further and reach more young people.

The news is out. And because of all of you, this is only the beginning. 💙

Together, we’re unleashing the superpowers in every child.

07/07/2026

06/30/2026

LifeTown Columbus was honored to welcome Ravi V. Bellamkonda, President of The Ohio State University, Tom and Debra Feeney, community activists and Lindsay Finneran, from the OSU Wexner Medical Center, for a recent tour highlighting the importance of inclusive education, community partnerships, and life-skills training for students with disabilities.

During the visit, President Bellamkonda experienced LifeTown's realistic simulated village, where children and young adults practice essential everyday skills in a safe, supportive environment. He observed students participating in hands-on learning experiences such as financial literacy ,shopping, medical appointments, job readiness, and social interactions. These activities help build confidence, independence, and preparation for successful participation in their communities. LifeTown serves over 5000 students each year through an evidence-based model focused on independent living, social development, and pre-employment skills.

The visit provided an opportunity to discuss how higher education institutions, community organizations, educators, and families can work together to expand opportunities for individuals with disabilities. President Bellamkonda met with LifeTown leadership, educators, volunteers, that included OSU’s department of Occupational Therapy and other community partners to learn more about the program's impact and explore future collaborations that promote accessibility, innovation, and workforce readiness.

The visit underscored a shared commitment to creating inclusive communities where every individual has the opportunity to develop the skills needed to thrive. By bringing together educational leadership and community-based programs, the event highlighted the value of partnerships that empower students to reach their full potential.

05/06/2026

Looking forward to celebrating our amazing educators and volunteers next week!

04/30/2026

04/23/2026

More magic from Earth Day with Walmart 💙🌎🪴🌱

04/22/2026

Thank you Bath & Body Works for sponsoring the LifeTown Job Fair, and providing 300 students with Confidence Kits so they can glow from the inside out as they practice preparing for job interviews! Thank you to all participating businesses that participated in the job fair, empowering our students with the skills needed to secure job opportunities on their journey towards independence!