January 2024 Special Needs Living Magazine

Touched By The Hand & Spirit Of God! Introducing You to JD Haavisto

BY ANDREA HURR PHOTOS BY JULIAN CURET

37-year-old JD Haavisto known as “JD” to all of his family and friends has a devoted love for god. He is driven to study the bible and this translates into his role at Jason’s Place! Jason’s Place is a day program for adults with developmental disabilities. It was at Jason’s Place where Melissa, the Jason’s Place CEO, recognized JD’s love and passion for God and the Bible. Melissa put JD in charge of their devotional group which is held every morning at 9:00 a.m. He chooses the teachings and music that he shares along with faithfully distributing a well-known quarterly devotional booklet “Our Daily Bread” to coworkers, bus drivers, and all he meets that would receive it. He loves Cooking Club but his mom, Sue says, “He really likes eating the best!”

His love for God has also led him to attend Woodlawn Church & special events sponsored by Canton Baptist Temple, First Christian Church, Tim Tebow’s “Night to Shine” and so much more. His family has also worked with his SSA through the county board to help them to get ramps, lifts, and transport chairs which are necessary for JD to be able to get out and about. Parents, James & Sue Haavisto stated that LED Transportation is very good to work with and shows great care and compassion to clients and their families.

Besides mom and dad, JD has Two Sisters & 2 Nephews that he loves & prays for daily. He loves watching his nephews grow, including sports they participate in. He loves to share, pray, and encourage all he meets so JD is quite excited to be approved by SARTA for door-to-door transport in which a rider may accompany him. This opens more doors for JD’s future goals.

His love for God has also led him to attend Woodlawn Church & special events sponsored by Canton Baptist Temple, First Christian Church, Tim Tebow’s “Night to Shine” and so much more.

A couple of fun things about JD is his snow globe collection from places like Japan & Germany. His dog Flash is an Australian Shepherd. Also, JD’s love for Hot Dogs makes him the namesake of JD’s Gourmet HOT DOGS & More! This is their family-owned food stand. JD’s Gourmet Hot Dogs sells premier buildyour-own gourmet all-beef hotdogs, premium ice cream sundaes, and more.

JD realizes that his life is the only exposure some may ever have to the work of God on this earth & he decided long ago his life will be a testimony to Salvation through Jesus Christ. He walks with God & be sure to look past the disabilities because when meet JD you have touched the hand & Spirit of God.