As shared by Joan Plotkin I’ve always been outspoken. Back when I was a little girl growing up in California people would bully me. My mom always advocated for me, and I learned to speak up for myself. Sometimes it feels that people with developmental disabilities are looked at like we’re a bother. Or worse, that we don’t exist. Well,… Read More »
Budget Cuts Put Safety Net at Risk for Most Vulnerable Joan Plotkin keeps active with weekly art classes and gym workouts to keep her mind and body strong. She’s proud of the home she shares with Jubilee friends. Her close relationship with sister Marilyn is treasured. Joan’s direct support professional staff help her maintain her vibrant life as she gets… Read More »
Self-advocate Kitty O’Connell calls on Maryland state elected officials to protect DDA funding for disability service community providers. You can add your voice to Kitty’s during Maryland’s 2026 legislative session by contacting your Maryland state legislators! Watch Kitty share her advocacy journey and how she benefits from DDA funded services. “We deserve to live like anyone else…without our funding we… Read More »
Jubilee Advocacy Underway to Protect Disability Services The Maryland General Assembly is now in session. Your Jubilee advocates are working for you as budget decisions are being made in Annapolis that impact our community. Every member of the Jubilee community is encouraged to stay informed as we work together to protect disability services. Here is what we know at this… Read More »
Liz and John’s Love Story Continues to Inspire It may be cold outside, but our hearts are warm as we prepare for Jubilee’s annual Valentine’s party! An eagerly anticipated event on the Jubilee calendar, we celebrate love in all its forms this February at the party. Whether you attend with friends, solo, or a romantic partner, you belong at Jubilee’s… Read More »
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of longtime Jubilee community member Kelly Robinson. Kelly passed away on December 31, 2025 at age 67 after a brief illness. For 32 years, Kelly was a proud member of the Jubilee family. He formed deep and genuine bonds with his housemates and proudly embraced his role as the “big… Read More »
Celebrating Accomplishments & Looking Forward with Determination Together we are achieving great things for the more than 200 people with disabilities who rely on Jubilee to successfully live independently. New Years is always a wonderful moment to reflect, take stock of what we’ve accomplished, and look ahead. In 2025, Jubilee: With support from our frontline workforce, Jubilee community members celebrated… Read More »
Charitable Donations Matched When You Support Jubilee You share in Jubilee’s success! More than 200 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities count on us every day. Thanks to a group of generous donors, your charitable donation this holiday season will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $30,000. Your gift, combined with gifts from dozens of others, helps fund the gap to… Read More »
Thank you for Supporting Jubilee in Your Year-End Giving No Longer a “Nervous Wreck”As told by Mary Jo Wybierala It was hard on me when Ben got sick. We’ve been friends for more than forty years, and housemates since his mom died and he was lonely. I worried about him a lot. I was relieved when he got better. When… Read More »
Help Make the Holidays Bright Thanks to your generosity, we’re ensuring that the holidays are a festive time of year for every person Jubilee supports. We’re hosting special programs that bring friends together and providing gifts that bring cheer. You can help make the holidays shine bright by purchasing items from the holiday wish list. The people we support also… Read More »
We are pleased to share that Tracey Turner joins Jubilee as our new Director of Human Resources. Tracey is a seasoned human resources executive with a strong record of shaping people-centered, mission-driven organizations. Over the past two decades in the human resources field, Tracey has become known for her thoughtful leadership in performance management, team development, employee engagement, and HR… Read More »
Intensive Training Program Deepens Understanding and Commitment to Supporting People with Disabilities Congratulations to Jubilee’s direct support professionals who went above and beyond to complete the rigorous DSP II training program. This five-month training program teaches advanced problem solving using real-world examples. This helps our frontline workers succeed in their work helping people with disabilities be independent. In December, Jubilee… Read More »
30 Organizations Participate in First Year November marks the one-year anniversary of The Academy at Jubilee! In just one year, The Academy is already making an impact in the disability community. Advanced training for frontline workers deepens their understanding and commitment to supporting people with disabilities. One of the goals of Jubilee in starting The Academy is to combat an… Read More »
Jubilee is now actively accepting applications for new clients who need daily support at home to live independently. New clients should already live in their own place and be enrolled in the DDA Community Pathways Waiver. If you or your loved one is already receiving support from Jubilee, please help us spread the word about this exciting opportunity. “Thanks to… Read More »
Officers Elected to Serve Two Year Term Congratulations to Jubilee’s new Client Council leadership team! The people Jubilee supports ran for leadership positions on our Client Council, which helps plan programs and represents clients to Jubilee leadership. After a full day of voting, results were announced at an election watch party. “This was one of our closest races yet,” said… Read More »
We’re honored to have our mission bolstered by local businesses who will donate a portion of proceeds to Jubilee, expanding Giving Tuesday to a full week of generosity. Get all the details here, and be sure to mention Jubilee while you’re out on the town this week.
It is with great sadness that we share that Mitch Kucharski passed away on Friday, October 24. Mitch was supported by Jubilee for 11 years. Mitch was a social and outgoing person who loved to explore his community. He maintained a close and loving relationship with his mother Diane Richardson (pictured here together). Our thoughts are with Mitch’s mother, brother… Read More »
The Maryland state government recently recognized the transformational work of direct support professionals (DSP) during an awards ceremony for Outstanding Direct Support Professionals. We’re thrilled to share that Jubilee’s Olufemi (Femi) Okunlola won an Outstanding DSP Award. Out of hundreds of nominations, 33 direct support professionals were awarded. The award was jointly presented by the Maryland Department of Disabilities and… Read More »
Volunteer Groups Improve Jubilee Homes Every homeowner has a wish list of home repairs they want to get done but rarely do. From power washing the deck to weeding the yard, something always falls to the bottom of the to-do list. There’s never enough time or funds to get everything done! Imagine if a team of volunteers came to your… Read More »
“Please don’t call my house a group home,” says David McCormack. “This is where I hang out, this is where I have my friends over. This is my home.” And what a home it is. The house gleams with fresh paint, new shutters, and refreshed landscaping. All thanks to volunteers from Rebuilding Together Montgomery County. “The volunteers did an excellent… Read More »
As told by volunteer Michael Wadja After an injury kept me out of the gym, I started to swim laps at the city pool in Rockville for exercise. I started to notice the same group of people having a blast in the pool. I realized I was seeing people with developmental disabilities and their caregivers. I saw the bond and… Read More »
![Janeice Green and Cheryl Gooden (seated) and Jazmine Green standing [3 women on a park bench on a sunny summer day].](https://jubileemd.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Janeice-Green-Jazmine-Green-and-Cheryl-Gooden-cropped-for-web.jpg)
Three Generations of One Family Make a Difference The family feel at Jubilee is alive and well! And for the Green family, it’s more than a feeling. Program Manager Janeice Green joined Jubilee in 2001. Since then, Janeice’s family members have joined her in making a difference for people with disabilities. “My daughter Jazmine was three months old when I… Read More »
Jubilee Association of Maryland recently renovated one of its group homes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Despite the challenges of renovating a home where people live, a whole house renovation was desperately needed. Beyond cosmetic changes, the house needed updates that would make it easier for people with disabilities to live comfortably and age in place with staff… Read More »
Staff Register for Events Celebrating You Who is your unsung hero? Are you thinking of a person who helps you be your best self through their words and actions? That definition applies to the 400 direct support professional (DSP) staff here at Jubilee. Day in and day out they help the people they support at home achieve their dream of… Read More »
Staff Receive $50 Bonus Per Vaccine Jubilee is pleased to host a free vaccine clinic on Thursday, September 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Tuesday, September 30 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The clinic will provide vaccines for the flu and Covid, and is offered to Jubilee staff and people we support. Vaccination is the best way… Read More »
Your Generosity Helps Make Vacations Possible for Jubilee Community Jubilee vacations are an annual highlight for our community! These trips bring together friends for experiences outside of daily routines and are talked about all year long. This year, Jubilee hosted trips to Ocean City, Md., and Williamsburg, Va.. Thrill seekers enjoyed roller coasters, parasailing, and Go Kart racing. Others enjoyed… Read More »
Volunteer Group Brings Festivity and Housewarming Gifts Volunteer groups often make a tangible contribution to Jubilee, and they can also touch the hearts of our Jubilee community members. Recently, the CRECE Leadership Program hosted a housewarming celebration for people Jubilee supports moving into new apartments. “We envisioned this gathering as an opportunity to bring joy, connection, and recognition to the… Read More »
After a 25-year career leading human resources at Jubilee, Krista Ogburn plans to retire at the end of 2025. We are grateful to Krista for her dedication to Jubilee, its mission, and our community. There will be opportunities to celebrate Krista in the coming months. We are also beginning our search now for a new Director of Human Resources to… Read More »
A warm Jubilee welcome to Felicia Denman, our new Housing Support Services Program Director. Felicia brings more than 15 years of expertise in affordable housing, community development, and real estate to Jubilee. She is recognized for her ability to build partnerships, enhance program performance, and deliver sustainable community impact. “Since launching in 2021, Jubilee’s Housing Support Services program has helped… Read More »
Attend Client Council Meeting on Sunday, August 31 Jubilee’s highly anticipated elections for Client Council take place this Fall. Kick-off to election season begins at the next Client Council meeting, held on Sunday, August 31. Client Council is Jubilee’s self-advocacy organization for the people we support. Elected members help shape community engagement programming, including the annual Client Council retreat. They… Read More »
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