Category: Community News

You Can Advocate for People with Disabilities

Update: Maryland’s legislative session adjourned on Monday, April 8, 2024. We’re happy to share the good news that the final state budget included a 3 percent increase for DDA service providers and $1 million for the DDA Rental Subsidy. Given the challenging budget forecast this year, we celebrate the state’s investment in disability services. Thank you for your passionate advocacy!… Read More »

New Years Greetings

By Steve Keener, Jubilee Executive Director As we ring in 2024, I wish you a new year filled with community that brings you joy, purpose, and belonging. I’m honored to lead an organization that truly sees and values each person. I’m a fan of small resolutions throughout the year. I know I’ve been guilty of making one big New Years… Read More »

Giving Thanks for Each Other

New Holiday Tradition Begins for Jubilee’s Team Dream Program manager Aviva Bensimon leads a team of 32 direct support professionals who support 12 people with independent living. This year, Aviva’s team held its first “Team Dream” Thanksgiving celebration, which brought together people Jubilee supports, family, staff, and friends. “Kobi and our family really enjoyed the celebration and wonderful dinner. Thank… Read More »

Sept. 23 Concert Canceled Due to Weather

Due to the increasingly stormy weather forecast for this weekend, we have made the sad decision to cancel this weekend’s outdoor benefit concert. A big thank you to GIGS Courtyard for your support of Jubilee, we look forward to bringing back this fun, free donate-what-can concert back in the future. To everyone who volunteered to perform and to attend, thank… Read More »

Virtual Jubilee Tours

Learn how you can get involved, or deepen your connection to Jubilee, as we support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live independently. Hear firsthand from members of the Jubilee community how they are living their best lives with Jubilee’s support during our free virtual tour! This 30-minute virtual tour is for both new and existing Jubilee friends. RSVP here and… Read More »

Fighting Institutionalization in 2023

New Court Ruling Finds Florida Violates Rights of Children with Disabilities Commentary by Jubilee Executive Director Steve Keener “Like a prison.” I’ve known people who lived in institutions, and that’s how they described it. It’s been 51 years since Geraldo Rivera exposed the horrors of New York’s Willowbrook institution on national television, 33 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law,… Read More »

Celebrating 45 Years of Jubilee with New Murals

Windows Brighten Kensington Main Street Our yearlong 45th anniversary celebration continues with new murals adorning the front windows of our Kensington office. Emblazoned with the phrase Happiness Grows Here and beautiful flowers, the window murals by artist Nicole Bourgea share joy with the community that has embraced our mission. “In the last 45 years, Jubilee has grown from one group… Read More »

Volunteer at Jubilee

Volunteers are an important part of the Jubilee community! You make a difference in the life of a person with intellectual and developmental disabilities when you volunteer at Jubilee. Volunteer opportunities include assisting with game nights, pizza parties, and arts and crafts.  Help with life skills like reading and swimming are also welcome — and so much more! We have… Read More »

Data Collection Helps Agencies Serve All Adults with Disabilities

How to Collect Racial, Ethnic and Language Data Collecting data on the race, ethnicity and language of adults with developmental disabilities currently supported by agencies will help achieve our shared goal of helping more people from underserved communities. Racial and ethnic data provide crucial information on where we are now and where we want to be. “With data, we can… Read More »

Christmas Card Project Spreads Holiday Cheer

Peeking out between the bulk mailers and the bills, you see a handwritten card in the mail, and instantly you feel excited. Who wrote to me? Who is thinking of me? This holiday season, Tico Sanz, Kobi Cudjoe, and Todd Locke brought joy to their friends, neighbors, and families by sending out 100 holiday cards. “It felt great to give… Read More »

Happy and Healthy New Year

A New Year’s Greeting from Steve Keener, Jubilee Executive Director As we ring in 2023, I eagerly look forward to continuing our work together building a community that embraces inclusion, and the unique gifts of every member of society. We made strong progress in our mission in the last year.  I’m happy to share these highlights with you. Your support… Read More »

St. Rose House Marks 13 Year Anniversary

Celebrating 13 Years of St. Rose home with Rosaria Communities On November 13, St. Rose of Lima Catholic church celebrated 13 years of supporting Rosaria Communities’ St. Rose house with a special mass and reception. The mass was dedicated to Anthony Pedone, Stephen Roldan, and James L’Heureux, who have lived at St. Rose house for 13 years with the support… Read More »

Breaking Barriers Celebrates One Year Anniversary

Program Connects Underserved Communities to Services Since launching in the Fall of 2021, Jubilee’s innovative Breaking Barriers program works to ensure that adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities from Hispanic and Asian communities can easily access support services. In just one year, the program has brought together more than a dozen agencies providing services and the DDA. The groups collaborate… Read More »

Jubilee Award Winners

Annual Ceremony Recognizes Staff, Volunteers and Community Members It takes a village to create the warm and caring community that Jubilee is known for. It was a true pleasure to recognize Jubilee’s village at our annual Employee Awards Ceremony and Party. Direct support professionals, members of our management team, and volunteers and community members all received awards for their contributions… Read More »

You Can Be A Jubilee Ambassador

Make a Difference in Just 30 Minutes! Can you host a Jubilee tour for your friends and family? Only 30 minutes long, tours can be in-person or virtual. Help spread the word about Jubilee! “I met Elaine Carney, who Jubilee supports, at mass one Sunday and we became good friends. When Jubilee began their new Living Our Best Lives tours… Read More »

Expanding Person-Centered Planning

Making Dreams Come True “How do you want to spend your day?” Dominique Clark asks people Jubilee supports when she meets with them. “Where do you want to live?” And “do you need help learning new skills?” Dominique leads Jubilee’s work to help the people we support set life goals for the year ahead. Our new person-centered planning process takes… Read More »

Neighborly Connections

Ice Cream Social Creates Connections with Neighbors What a treat seeing family, friends, neighbors, and volunteers come together this summer at an ice cream social hosted by Jubilee’s housing partner Rosaria Communities.  The social was an opportunity for neighbors to meet David Geske and Brendan Malone, who live at Rosaria’s St. John’s house, and are supported by Jubilee.  Kaila Grant,… Read More »

Family Council Meeting July 18

Join us for our third Family Council meeting on Monday, July 18 at 7:00 p.m. Steve Keener and members of Jubilee’s management will share Jubilee’s updated Family Handbook and leave time for questions and suggestions. Register on Zoom here.

Friends & Family Picnic July 30

Join your Jubilee community at our Friends and Family Summer Picnic! Smokey Glen Farm is the place to be for fun, friendship and yummy Bar-B-Q! The picnic will take place Saturday July 30 from noon to 3 PM. Please RSVP using this form by July 15. Each person must register individually. Questions? Contact Julia McCune at jmccune@jubileemd.org or at 301-949-8628 ext. 106… Read More »

Engage in the Community

June Activities Include SPIRIT CLUB Field Day and Downtown DC Dinner By Steve Keener, Jubilee Executive Director Being together at Jubilee’s first picnic of the summer really drove home how important it is to get out of the house and reengage with the wider community. These past two years have been lonely and frightening. It is time to heal. It… Read More »

Help for Ukraine

Dear Jubilee Friends, As I follow the war in Ukraine from afar in horror, I particularly worry about people with disabilities in Ukraine. These vulnerable people are often sadly overlooked in times of war. In Ukraine, many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are still supported in large institutions. I am reminded of how things were in the 1950’s in… Read More »

DDA News: Rental Subsidy Program Announced and Budget Increase

Maryland’s Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) recently announced a new rental subsidy program, where people pay only 30 percent of their household income for rent and utilities. Unlike other DDA rental assistance programs, this program is similar to the Housing Choice Voucher Program. It is tenant-based, so people who participate are free to move with the voucher to any qualifying home… Read More »

Welcome Back Circle of Friends

Program Creates Lasting Friendships It takes a village to create a warm and welcoming community where every member is valued. Today, we’re asking you to join our village through our Circle of Friends program.  Jubilee’s Circle of Friends helps create long-term relationships between the people we support and community members who seek meaningful connections and friendships. Jubilee’s Circle of Friends… Read More »

Tiny Jubilee Love Stories

Happy Valentine’s Day from Your Friends at Jubilee Here at Jubilee, we are celebrating love in all it’s many wonderful forms in honor of Valentine’s Day. This is an opportunity to celebrate all the ways we love and care for each other. Cuddle up and enjoy these Tiny Jubilee Love Stories* to celebrate romance, friendship, and self care. Michaelis Young… Read More »

Jubilee-Rosaria Partnership Grows

By Steve Keener, Executive Director Daniel Lacy recently joined Jubilee, and he moved just in time to celebrate his first Christmas in his new home.  With a spacious floor plan and every detail considered for his accessibility needs, the house sparkles with welcome. Daniel’s new home is the fifth property developed by our housing partner, Rosaria Communities. Jubilee is proud… Read More »

Your Input Matters

Launching Two New Committees for our Community Your input is valued at Jubilee! We’re excited to share with you two new exciting opportunities to make your voice heard. You’re invited to join our new Family Council to bring together family members and Executive Director Steve Keener. The council will meet quarterly and be a forum for information sharing, Q&A, and… Read More »

COVID Update

Due to the Omicron surge, the Jubilee office is currently closed to visitors, non-essential staff, and volunteers. We are also resuming curbside pickup for medications and supplies. Please remain in your vehicle and call 301-949-8626 for pickup. Your health and safety is our top priority. Wear a mask, wash hands, assess the risks of your actions, test as needed, and above all please… Read More »