The League for People with Disabilities is committed to offering individuals the opportunity to gain independence, increase self-sufficiency and to improve the quality of life.
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My League Story, Employment Services |
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National Disability Employment Awareness Month is held each October to commemorate the significant contributions of people with disabilities to America's workplaces and economy. The League is passionate about facilitating integrative, inclusive and meaningful work experiences for people with disabilities because it empowers those individuals to discover talents and manifest skills in productive, fulfilling ways. The goal of The League's Employer Services is to match participants with long-term career opportunities that permit personal growth and a sense of independence in society with a healthy work-life balance.
Michael Gross has been with The League's Employment Services since 2009. He began working at The Home Depot in 2010 when he was 21 years old and has since earned several "Homer Awards" for his outstanding entrepreneurial spirit and excellent customer service. Because his supervisors and co-workers value his helpfulness and work ethic, Michael considers them to be very good friends. Michael works very hard and when he receives the recognition from his employer, he knows that he has earned it.
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One of the many awards Michael has received from his supervisors at The Home Depot. |
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When Michael is not helping customers, loading vehicles, returning carts, sweeping the floors, cleaning the store or doing propane exchanges in his orange apron, he enjoys spending time with his sisters and niece. He is very excited about Halloween this year and hopes that his niece receives so many Reese's Peanut Butter Cups that she will not notice if a few go missing.
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Michael Gross modeling the values of his company with a friendly smile.
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Michael lives a very active life between his shifts at The Home Depot; on Mondays, he can be found bowling a 250 or better at the local AMF and on Sundays, he will be cheering on the Baltimore Ravens. His favorite TV shows are Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, Let's Make a Deal, Price Is Right, the Steve Wilkos Show and Family Feud. Steve Harvey is the best and very hilarious! It's not all fun and games though because Michael does take care of his dog Coco and help his sisters with cooking, cleaning and laundry. |
For Michael, The League is a great place to hang out and see his friends. He looks forward to the day that he can return to the Wellness Center and spend some time on the treadmill. He hopes that CLUB1111 will resume soon when it is safe for everyone again because he misses the music, dancing and basketball games on the second Saturday of every month. |
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Who You Gonna Call? - Trash Bashers! |
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The League’s Meaningful Day Services Community Integration program creates opportunities for our participants to give back to the Baltimore community; the "Trash Bashers" are an example of the work they do. If you would like to see more, you can watch the news feature from September 7th below. Local business owners are thrilled to see the “Trash Bashers” combing the streets of Baltimore twice a week, picking up recyclables and refuse to contribute to a healthier community.
For the individuals with disabilities that want to work and promote a better Baltimore, the group that began as a small volunteer effort has evolved into an organized and dedicated task force that benefits all.
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Lynne Lamoree, Director, Meaningful Day Services, discussing The League's collaboration with the
Trash Bashers.
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The League’s Community Integration program is currently searching for other community partners and programs like Trash Bashers to support our participants. If you have an opportunity and would love to have our participants join your efforts, please reach out to Milan Barry-Pollock, Manager of Community Integration, at mbarrypollock@leagueforpeople.org. We are especially looking for indoor opportunities for participants as the weather chills.
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DSP / Employee Recognition Week |
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The League’s Executive Leadership Team also took the opportunity to show all League staff how important and valued they are during the third week of September. Daily tokens of appreciation included breakfast, tumblers filled with candy, lunch from Deddles Mini Donuts, a raffle and ice cream from Quinns Ice. The League would not be able to champion its mission of offering individuals the opportunity to gain independence, increase self-sufficiency and to improve the quality of life without its dedicated and passionate employees. Because The League identifies as an Employer of Choice, its leadership strives to acknowledge and support staff in meaningful ways, which in turn creates the best quality care for our participants.
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On September 12-18, 2021, The League joined in a national celebration of Direct Support Professional Recognition Week. We took the opportunity to highlight the dedicated, innovative direct support workforce that is the heart and soul of supports for people with disabilities. The League invited its management and leadership members to select one direct support professional (DSP) to celebrate for every day of the work week. It was very difficult to pick just one stellar DSP each day because every member of the direct support team has an outstanding commitment and work ethic that makes The League highly regarded by everyone.
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Employees enjoying breakfast and lunch as part of
Employee Appreciation Week 2021.
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"Spook-tacular" Drive-Thru Job Fair |
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Do you want to be part of this amazing team?
Find out why The League considers ourselves an #EmployerofChoice!
Join us for a Spooktacular Drive-Thru Job Fair on October 29th.
Please contact Dawn Witherspoon, SPHR, SHRM-SCP,
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SCALE & MS Day Re-Opening |
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The Snyder Center for Aphasia Life Enhancement (SCALE) is back to hosting in-person programming and servicing participants at its new location on Orchard Tree Lane. Hybrid programs resumed on Monday, September 13th with a total of 40 participants; there are 13 virtual classes and 19 in-person classes offered per week to build and maintain a strong sense of community. Participants make art, challenge each other in trivia games and provide invaluable support by sharing compassion and resources to successfully re-engage in life activities.
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The mission of SCALE is to improve the quality of life for people living with aphasia and their families by:
- Providing individuals with aphasia a place to connect
- Offering interactive group activities designed to support and empower members as they re-engage in community
- Providing educational materials, training and support for family members
- Striving to raise public awareness and understanding of aphasia through community outreach and advocacy projects
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Multiple Sclerosis Day also welcomed participants back for in-person services at Orchard Tree Lane starting September 28th! With 16 active participants, 7 participants have been able to return for full program days while virtual groups continue to convene 2 hours each program day for those more comfortable at home. Participants are enjoying groups that target movement, thinking skills, art therapy and more. In the coming months, MS Day Manager Jessica Hutchison is looking to engage those who haven’t been able to join virtually and grow the active roster from a robust referral list. Next week, MS Day will be starting a semester with Occupational Therapy students!
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Hybrid programs provide support and a sense of community in a safe and inclusive manner. |
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SCALE participants take part in a lively in-person Table Topic discussion at the
Orchard Tree Lane location.
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Student relationships are expanding to encompass 15 students from Towson University and Johns Hopkins University. With the extra support from the Occupational Therapy Masters students, SCALE hopes to draft plans for a “Speak Boutique” in the months to come. Stay tuned for more details! |
Developed in conjunction with the University of Maryland Rehabilitation & Orthopaedic Institute, the Multiple Sclerosis Day Program is designed to help individuals achieve their highest possible level of independence and quality of life while providing individuals with opportunities to develop and maintain functional skills, as well as providing chances for education, recreation and supportive social interactions with other individuals with Multiple Sclerosis. |
Staff members Jessica Hutchison (left) and Kytazha Pope (right) have big smiles beneath their masks because they are happy to have in-person MS Day sessions again! |
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Youth Autism Services Updates |
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Falling in love with Autism! |
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The YAS program has officially been back in the building since August 9th. Our team has been working diligently to ensure our participants stay safe all while having fun. The participants have been enjoying Fall-related activities and crafts to help decorate our program walls. Aside from decorating, our participants will soon add shopping in the community to our schedule to teach money management and safety in the community. We look forward to this opportunity along with the festive things we have planned for the next few months!
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Show Your Support of The League with
Sponsor and Partner Opportunities!
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The 5th Annual #OMGFOOD event will be held at the brand new Marriott Owings Mills Metro Centre on Thursday, March 31, 2022. The event will treat The League’s supporters, corporate partners, and business professionals to an evening of Maryland’s cocktails and cuisine. Guests will enjoy dinner, an open bar, samplings from local partners, entertainment, a silent auction, and more.
We invite you to show your support for The League!
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Co-Chairs of the 5th Annual #OMGFOOD Event Committee |
Sharri Rochlin & Kris Meyer |
Lisa Abrams, Angela Ahmad,
Dara Bunjon, Sarah Cusack,
Brad Fowler, Pam Friedman,
Mindy Geppi, Jim Hettleman,
Julie Hettleman, Ashley Ingraham, Ethan Nochumowitz,
Carolyn Olschansky, Jason Perlow, Stephani Renbaum, Terri Seitz Parrish, Jennifer Walker
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Are you or your business interested in enjoying the event and gaining some marketing and brand awareness at the same time? Then, a sponsorship opportunity at the event would be just the fit. With a variety of sponsorship levels and opportunities, you can showcase your business in front of the events 300 guests. |
Are you part of a small business in the food & beverage industry in Maryland? Then we want to showcase you too! The League is also looking for local wineries, distilleries, bakeries, restaurants, and suppliers to partner with us at the event. |
For more information about the #OMGFOOD event and the sponsor and partner opportunities, please contact Robyn Dammers,
410-323-0500 x383.
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A Concluding Note from our President & CEO |
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Dear Friends of The League, |
While the mornings get chillier and the afternoon sun stays hot, programs at The League are being infused with innovation, pumpkin spice, and everything nice. I feel increasingly optimistic about the steps being taken to promote safety, wellness, awareness, inclusion, growth, efficiency and morale as each leaf settles to the ground this Autumn. |
The past month has been invigorating and productive thanks to our highly adaptive and dedicated staff, participants, and supporters; The League’s Community Integration program was featured in the news for its ongoing collaboration with the “Trash Bashers,” the garden underwent some expansive renovations for socially-distant togetherness, staff and direct support professionals were celebrated for their stellar work ethic, the SCALE and MS Day programs reopened for in-person services in their new space at Orchard Tree Lane, Youth Autism Services grew in participants, and the 5th Annual #OMGFOOD event for March 2022 has gained momentum with early planning and calculated sponsorship opportunities.
Julia dressed in her Halloween best for a pre pandemic CLUB1111.
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October is also National Disability Employment Awareness Month and is observed in recognition of the contributions that people with disabilities make to the American workforce. On the local level, I am extremely proud of The League’s Employment Services participants for being so devoted to the betterment of Baltimore and the community that we continue to cultivate and build in. The League works with area employers to help them meet their hiring needs and diversify their workforce by connecting them with qualified, pre-screened candidates. Because many of our business sector partners provide volunteerism, training/education, and mentoring opportunities, job seekers develop helpful and hearty skills to achieve their personal and career goals. |
Great things are in the works and we are actively recruiting for open positions! Be sure to stop by the “Spook-tacular” Job Drive-Thru on October 29th for more information on why we identify as an #EmployerofChoice and to meet our friendly hiring personnel. The League is consistently dedicating time and resources to encourage autonomy, integrity, equity and progress in our daily operations. I hope that everyone continues to maintain excellent health and mindfulness during the approaching Spooky Season. Take care and happy scares!
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David A. Greenberg
President & CEO
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Your gift to The League’s Annual Fund allows The League to continue providing important services in our community. |
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You can also mail a check made payable to “The League for People with Disabilities” to:
The League, c/o Annual Fund
1111 E. Cold Spring Lane
Baltimore, MD 21239
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THE LEAGUE'S 2021-2022 BOARD of DIRECTORS
Nicole Urquhart-Bradley, Board Chair • Mindy Geppi, Vice Chair
Ethan Nochumowitz, Treasurer • Barry Gordon, M.D., Ph.D, Secretary
Carol Dodson • Bradley Fowler • James Hettleman • Janice Jackson • Richard M. Katz, M.D. • Kris Meyer
Terri Seitz Parrish • Jason Perlow • Sharri Rochlin • Andrew Slutkin • Andrew Snyder
THE LEAGUE'S EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM
David A. Greenberg, President & CEO • Margretta Ryan, Sr. VP, Finance • Dawn Witherspoon, VP, HR & Compliance • Renée Dash, VP, Medical Programs/Chief Nursing Officer • Rhonda Johnson, VP, Customer Relations •
Lauren Yankolonis, VP, Development • Maureen Jeffreys, VP, Developmental Disabilities Services
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For more information, you can visit our website at www.leagueforpeople.org, and follow us on our Facebook page; “The League for People with Disabilities”.
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