Embracing the Dignity of Risk As Shared by Jubilee Program Manager Egoyibo “Stella” Onyenkwere Jordan Gould’s life in Maryland is full, he’s busy with activities and people who care about him. But there was a hole in his life. His father lives all the way in Sweden, and they had not seen each other in five years. Jordan’s dad reached… Read More »
Maryland Equity Coalition for People with Disabilities Convenes with 35 Member Groups A coalition of 35 organizations committed to helping all Marylanders access disability services is now working together for the first time. The coalition will provide education and information to help people successfully navigate language and cultural barriers that impede access to disability services. The Maryland Equity Coalition for… Read More »
Direct Support Staff Make a Difference On the 25th anniversary of the Yap family vacation to a remote island in Michigan, Maurine Yap swam across the cold, deep lake with her mom. This achievement has long been out of reach for Maurine, but something changed this year that made it possible. “One year ago, the amazing Shauna Miller came into… Read More »
Jubilee’s Breaking Barriers team is here to help you navigate the complexities of applying for disability services. They specialize in overcoming language, cultural, and other barriers to accessing disability services. Join Breaking Barriers Senior Manager Lisa Lorraine for her monthly Charlemos (Spanish-language discussion) on disability resources. Held on the first Thursday of every month, the next Charlemos is scheduled for… Read More »
One year ago we shared with you the good news that Linda Hanna was finally moving to a place of her own with help from Jubilee. Linda loves her new house, where she is supported by award-winning support staff Augusta Lawanson. Now, on the anniversary of the big move we’re thrilled to share that Linda has more good news! Cindy… Read More »
Trips Made Possible with Support from Generous Donors and Dedicated Staff It’s a wrap on Jubilee’s four annual vacations! These trips provide opportunities for people we support to have new experiences and deepen friendships. The elected members of the Activity Planning Committee help plan the trips, which creates leadership opportunities for many people supported by Jubilee. Jubilee’s Community Engagement Director… Read More »
Keep Yourself Safe from Flu and COVID Be the First to Get Your New Jubilee T-Shirt at the Clinic! Jubilee is proud to provide free flu and COVID vaccines at our upcoming clinics. The vaccine clinic is open to all staff and people supported by Jubilee. Your partnership is critical to the success of keeping our vulnerable community safe from… Read More »
Living Our Best Lives Tour and Breaking Barriers Community Outreach in September Sunday, September 8, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Meet the Breaking Barriers team at the Vietnamese American Services Mid-Autumn Festival. Monday, September 9 at 4 p.m.: Learn more about Jubilee at this free, 30-minute virtual Living Our Best Lives story tour. RSVP to get your personalized zoom… Read More »
Ruppert Family Honors Sister’s Memory with Commitment to Helping People with Disabilities Kimberlee and Tina* prefer a quiet life and they spend many happy hours at their home, known affectionately as Bethlehem House. Located on a tree-lined cul-de-sac, the home takes its name from a Catholic faith-based group that serves the spiritual and communal needs of adults with disabilities in… Read More »
![Cassie Purcell and Marilyn McCain [two women stand together outside on a beautiful day]](https://jubileemd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Marilyn-McCaine-and-Cassie-Purcell-1024x937.jpg)
We’re shining a spotlight on our direct support professional (DSP) staff to highlight the important role they play in the lives of people they support. “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our support staff every day, and especially during National DSP Week,” said Gia Richmond, Jubilee’s Director of Program Services. “Your dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment to supporting people with… Read More »
Jubilee Now Maryland’s Largest Housing Supports Provider When Brian Mason was ready to move to his own apartment, his family knew where to turn for help. Jubilee’s housing support team stepped in to work one-on-one with Brian to prepare for his big move. Brian participated in weekly budget meetings and training on how to be a successful tenant. A Jubilee… Read More »
As Jubilee’s fiscal year concludes, we thank our departing Board members and welcome two new members to our Board, as well as our new President Tammie Howard and Vice President Dodd White. Thank you to Jeanette Stoltzfus and Tabitha Gingerich for your service to Jubilee’s Board, and a warm welcome to Raphaël Edou (Africa Program Manager, EIA Washington DC) and… Read More »
Jubilee Advocated for Increased Protection for Renters with Disabilities To better protect people who rent apartments and homes in the county, the Montgomery County Council recently passed the Tenant Protection and Notification Act. Jubilee advocated for this legislation, which will positively impact the 114 people Jubilee supports who are their own leaseholders in apartments and homes throughout the county. “Clear… Read More »
With great sadness we share the news that Ronald “Ronnie” Fluke passed away on Monday evening, July 22 after a brief battle with cancer. Ronnie joined the Jubilee community in 2004, and a team of staff from Jubilee became as close as family and were by his side for two decades. He lived with his close friend Alex Fidler. Ronnie was… Read More »
Welcome Housing Support Specialist Maria Martinez and Program Manager Daniel Garcia To help more people in the county from underserved communities access disability services Jubilee has expanded its ability to help people in Spanish-speaking households. Jubilee welcomes bilingual Housing Support Specialist Maria Martinez and Program Manager Daniel Garcia to Jubilee to better serve our Spanish-speaking clients and families. “We don’t… Read More »
New Annual Impact Report for FY23 Highlights Donors’ Impact and Features Michaelis Young Path to Independence See how your support for Jubilee makes a difference in Jubilee’s new annual impact report. Thank you for supporting Jubilee! Jubilee’s report features Michaelis Young, whose journey to standing on her own includes a part-time job as a receptionist at the Jubilee office. Jubilee… Read More »
![Michaelis Young found independence with Jubilee's support. Direct support professional Georgina Aling (left), supports Michaelis at home. [Two women sit on a bench in a park on a sunny day.]](https://jubileemd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Georgina-and-Michaelis-on-bench-768x1024.jpeg)
As told by Michaelis Young I’m a New Yorker, so I know how to speak my mind. Take my name. A few years ago, I decided to go by my middle name. Now everyone knows me as Michaelis. And everyone knows me because I’m a receptionist at the Jubilee office! When you come in the front door, I’m the first… Read More »
WSSC Program Benefits Jubilee Community A little detective work by Jubilee’s Custodial Bookkeeper Mildred (Milly) Ayarza resulted in big savings for the organization and people we support. Milly helps pay the bills at Jubilee, and she scheduled a meeting with local water company WSSC to investigate high water bills at homes where people Jubilee supports live. “The meeting was very productive, and… Read More »
Learn how Jubilee’s Housing Support Services can help you navigate the complex process of securing affordable and accessible housing for adults with I/DD. Our virtual town hall meetings are led by Jubilee’s Housing Support Services team and explain the service and how you can benefit. Our DDA-licensed housing experts will answer your pressing questions! RSVP for the Friday, June 28… Read More »
Direct support professionals are often the unsung heroes in the lives of people Jubilee supports to live independently. Two of Jubilee’s outstanding direct support professional staff recently received state-wide recognition by the Maryland Association of Community Services (MACS). Please join us in congratulating Helen Okoye, who supports Jason Howlin, and Chinwe Ukoh, who supports Kobi Cudjoe, Todd Locke, and Tico… Read More »
Thanks to the support of our Maryland elected officials and strong advocacy from the disability community, we made important gains during this year’s state legislative session. Highlights include: We are grateful for the leadership of District 18 (where Jubilee’s office is located)—Senator Jeff Waldstreicher and Delegates Jared Solomon, Emily Shetty, and Aaron Kaufman—along with other members of the Montgomery County… Read More »
Annual Giving Society Now Boasts 100+ Members Thanks to our donors for championing inclusion at Jubilee! Seeing both new and familiar faces at our annual Champions of Inclusion Breakfast Fundraiser was heartwarming as our impact on people with disabilities grows. We’re thrilled to share that, for the first time, our Champions of Inclusion annual-giving society now boasts 102 members who… Read More »
Gia Richmond Brings Wealth of Experience to Jubilee Please join us in welcoming Jubilee’s new Director of Program Services, Gia Richmond. In this role, Gia will oversee Jubilee’s work to help people live independently with our support. Gia is dedicated to empowering people and communities to realize their full potential, and she is deeply committed to advocating for human rights… Read More »
Enrollment Effort Led by Jubilee Kudos to the five Jubilee community members currently taking classes through the Challenge Program at Montgomery County Community College. Cross-department teamwork at Jubilee led to this new opportunity for Bijaya Mishra, Melissa Cory, Tico Sanz, Kobi Cudjoe, and Debbie Lim. Jubilee’s Community Engagement team led the way, with a deep dive into the life goals… Read More »
Please join us in mourning the passage of longtime Jubilee community member Sheldon Jenkins, who passed away on March 8. Sheldon was part of Jubilee for 38 years until moving to a nursing home last summer. We’ll remember how Sheldon always greeted everyone with a smile, calling out to his buddies and friends. Jubilee program manager Janeice Green worked with… Read More »
Meet Katie O’Connell: Disability Advocate and Client Council Vice President I’m 28 years old, and I just joined Jubilee this past Fall. Right away I thought that I want to make friends here, and I want to help people speak up for themselves just like I do. I’m really involved with advocacy. I go to Annapolis often to talk about… Read More »
Read the newest edition of Jubilee’s premiere publication, Connections! Dedicated self-advocates Elaine Carney and Katie O’Connell lead Jubilee’s Client Council, their stories featured here!
It is with heavy hearts that we share that James L’Heureux passed away after a sudden illness. James joined the Jubilee community in 2009, building close friendships with many in our community and especially with his long-time housemates Anthony Pedone and Stephen Roldan. “James was among the kindest and friendliest people I’ve ever met. To be with him was to… Read More »
Davin Golder waited on pins and needles for Melissa Cory to arrive at Jubilee’s Valentine’s Day Prom. When she walked in the door in a showstopping red gown, his jaw hit the floor. “Wow, Melissa looks gorgeous,” he whispered to his friends. Melissa got a surprise of her own when Davin gifted her a Valentine’s Day teddy bear. The two… Read More »
Jubilee First Agency to Secure Housing Under Maryland’s New DDA Rent Subsidy Program “When I first met Sharon, she was in crisis,” said Jubilee’s Housing Support Services specialist Amanda Gibson. “She lived with her uncle, and when he passed away the bills started to pile up. She faced eviction from the home she knew and had nowhere to go.” A… Read More »
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