As shared by Brian’s siblings Chris Lyman and Nancy Ensor, on behalf of the Lyman family. Growing up with 10 brothers and sisters made us a tight-knit family. Brian is the youngest sibling, and we all looked out for him. We were lucky to live near the Ann J. Kellog school in Michigan, one of the first schools in the… Read More »
Jubilee’s First 45 Years Mirror Societal Progress “Violence besets home” read a 1978 Washington Post headline read after Jubilee opened its first group home. Gunshots were fired through the window. A burning rag was thrown into the garage. Yet Jubilee’s founders persisted. They were motivated by the growing civil rights movement for people with disabilities and a better understanding of… Read More »
New Connections Newsletter Highlights Organization History | Timeline Brings History to Life Celebrate 45 years of Jubilee with this fascinating dive into the organization’s history in the special anniversary edition of our Connections newsletter. Enjoy Jubilee’s new timeline that brings the modern history of the organization and disability civil rights movement to life. In the 45 years since Jubilee’s founding,… Read More »
Kudos to All Candidates Congratulations to the new leaders of Jubilee’s Client Council and Activity Planning Committee! The results are in after a vigorous campaign season. Every candidate campaigned hard and also showed support for each other during the election season. Kudos to all who participated in the process as candidates and voters. “I will be an advocate for all… Read More »
Shop and Dine at Participating Kensington Businesses
Jubilee Celebrates Newest Graduates of DSP II Training Program Congratulations to the 14 new Jubilee staff graduates of the rigorous DSP II education program! This program teaches advanced problem solving and skills to help direct support professionals best support people with disabilities. The Maryland Direct Support Professional Training Consortium, which Jubilee helped found, created the DSP II training program as… Read More »
Coalition Calls on Lawmakers to Take Action Hispanic Marylanders have unequal access to disability services, according to a new analysis of recently released statewide data. In light of these findings, members of the Enriqueciendo Vidas (“enriching lives”) coalition called on Governor Wes Moore’s administration and elected officials across the state to take action in a letter on October 23, 2023.… Read More »
Four Vacations Bring Joy to Community This Year By Julia McCune, Director of Community Engagement Taking vacation lowers anxiety, improves your mood and sleep routine, reduces stress, and helps you get back to your true self. Vacations are a vital part of living our best lives! For many people Jubilee supports, the Jubilee vacation is the highlight of the year.… Read More »
Familiar Face in a New Role As Jubilee continues to grow to serve more people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, we’re excited to share with you that Mary Renderos will be Jubilee’s first chief of staff. In this role, Mary will work closely with Steve Keener on focus areas of government relations, organizational policy, and executive communications to staff and… Read More »
As told by Linda Hanna I’m moving to my first ever home of my own on my birthday this year. I’ll be 66, and I’m going to blow out the candles on my birthday cake seated at my very own dining table. I’ve always wanted a place that’s just mine, but I’ve never had one before. Jubilee’s been helping me… Read More »
It takes all of us working together to keep our community safe from COVID and the flu. We are making it easy with free vaccine clinics for every employee and person supported by Jubilee. Please sign up here for the clinic by this Thursday, October 12 to ensure that we have enough vaccine available for everyone. Jubilee nurse Azah Afon… Read More »
2023 Event Sparkled with Joy What a thrill being with our colleagues for the 2023 Employee Award Celebration! For the first time since 2019, we gathered in-person for the awards ceremony and celebration of staff who give their all to ensure that the people we support live their best lives. “We are here today to celebrate the people who help… Read More »
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 »
Witnessing the Impact of Your Donation By Kevin M. Powderly, Jubilee Major Gift Officer When my Jubilee pal Steve Brent invited me to join him on Jubilee’s vacation to Williamsburg, VA, I had no idea the adventure I was getting myself into! This trip is one of four vacations Jubilee planned this summer for the people we support. I… Read More »
U.S. Surgeon General Warns of Widespread Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation Easy, Practical Volunteer Opportunities Lead to Mutually Beneficial Relationships “Loneliness and isolation represent profound threats to our health and well-being,” says U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, sounding the alarm in a new 2023 report. But all is not hopeless, as Dr. Murthy makes the point that “we are called… Read More »
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 designed for new and existing Jubilee friends. Learn how you can get involved, or deepen your connection to Jubilee, as we support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live independently. RSVP here and… Read More »
We’re thankful to recognize our dedicated staff at our annual Employee Awards Celebration this Fall. You can nominate staff for the award using this form by Friday, August 18. Staff members, volunteers, and community members who made a difference in the lives of the people we support in the past year are all eligible for awards. The fine print: Nominees… Read More »
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 »
Jubilee Welcomes New Board Members and Thanks Departing Members Jubilee’s Board of Directors play an important role in guiding the organization. “Our all-volunteer Board of Directors bring a wealth of knowledge and varied points of view to Jubilee,” said Executive Director Steve Keener. “The Board’s counsel and support are an invaluable resource for Jubilee.” “It is with profound gratitude that… Read More »
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 »
Dayana Ramos has a passion for makeup artistry and is a young mom. In the best of times, it can be a lot to juggle. It’s even harder when you have a disability, and your support network has limited English speaking skills. Dayana was told she had to be in a day program to get disability services—even though it wasn’t… Read More »
Register for Next Session Thursday, November 9 Maria* applied for disability services for her daughter, but when a coordinator from the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) called her to schedule an interview at her house Maria declined. In her culture, inviting a stranger to her home felt uncomfortable. Understanding how cultural differences impact people’s choices can make a difference for… Read More »
Congratulations to Jubilee direct support professionals James Kivembele and Olalekan (Sho) Shobowale who were both nominated for the DSP Exceptional Performance Award. James won this prestigious award from the Maryland Association of Community Services (MACS) at their annual conference in May. “Jubilee support staff go above and beyond for the people they support regularly, and we’re delighted that two of… Read More »
As shared by Amanda Gibson, Jubilee Housing Support Services Specialist Kristen Ulek really enjoys the amenities that come with living in a high-rise apartment building, but she had become anxious about living on a high floor after a fire in her apartment building. You see, Kristen uses a wheelchair. Elevators don’t run in an emergency like fire. She wanted to… Read More »
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 »
Champions of Inclusion Breakfast Raises Funds to Support Jubilee With heartfelt gratitude, we thank each and every one of you for supporting Jubilee. Our third annual Champions of Inclusion Fundraising Breakfast on May 2 raised $272,000—thanks to you! Donations help Jubilee plan for a strong future where we can help more adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities thrive. Members of… Read More »
By Cindy Burroughs, Jason’s mom. You will dream new dreams. Those were the first words to resonate with me after my son Jason was diagnosed with autism at 15 months old. It would be close to 22 years after Jason was born before I could really start seeing my new dreams for Jason come true. That was when Jubilee made… Read More »
One year ago, Jubilee launched its Core Values monthly seminars to educate and strengthen our community. We’re celebrating the one-year anniversary of this unique program and looking ahead to deepening our understanding of how our values shape Jubilee. “These seminars started as a passion project back when we were still only meeting virtually,” shared Julia McCune, Jubilee’s Director of Community… Read More »
Jubilee joins the family of Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Roles in mourning her passing. Elizabeth passed away on April 11, at age 60, and was supported by Jubilee for more than two decades. Elizabeth loved her Irish culture and would dance to Irish music with joy in her eyes. Elizabeth loved art and drawing. She was funny, outgoing, and very friendly.… Read More »
Registration Now Closed Summer is right around the corner and that means it’s time for Jubilee’s annual cookout! We’re thrilled to welcome the Jubilee community to join together for a day of fun, food, and friendship at the South Germantown Recreational Park. We are hosting two cookouts this summer to accommodate all members of the Jubilee community. Cookouts will be… Read More »