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Our Mission
To challenge the community to acknowledge the value and equality of people of all abilities.
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Our Programs
- Autism Services
- Community and Employment Partners
- Epilepsy Services
- Healthy Families
- Project ACT
- Senior Services
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50th Anniversary Celebration and Awards Event
Photo credit: Paul Friedlander
Cheryl Belt-Jackson (family coordinator, The Judy Center at Campfield Early Learning Center), Kathleen Mitchell (program facilitator, The Judy Center at Campfield Early Learning Center), Ilene Meister (director of Early Childhood Education, Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore), and Sheila Klingler (Project ACT Associate Inclusion Specialist, Abilities Network) display their Program Partner awards.
And don't forget to visit our Facebook page to check out all of the great photos from event!
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50th Anniversary Video
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In celebration of this major milestone, Abilities Network has composed a video. Click on the image above to watch!
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Walkabout Abilities
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 21
WHERE: Goucher College 1021 Dulaney Valley Rd.
Towson, MD
Corporate sponsorships are available for this event. For more information, contact Lauren Dunn at 410-828-7700 ext. 1229
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Abilities Network
8503 LaSalle Road
Towson, Maryland 21286 |
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50th Anniversary Celebration and Awards Event
Photo credit: Paul Friedlander
Abilities Network Board Treasurer Andrew Hahn (senior financial advisor, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management), Lee Ann Kingham (CEO, Abilities Network), Meg Obrecht, and Abilities Network Board Member Paul F. Obrecht, III, SIOR (vice president, Blue & Obrecht Realty) catch up before the awards ceremony.
Abilities Network recently held its 50th Anniversary Celebration and Awards Event at Hillendale Country Club Thursday, May 15.
Two hundred fifty people attended the milestone event, which highlighted the work of the organization (initially incorporated in 1964 as the Epilepsy Association of Maryland). The organization has since expanded its services to assist individuals with various types of disabilities. Today, Abilities Network serves more than 10,000 individuals in Maryland.
ABC2 News Anchor Charley Crowson served as emcee at the event, presenting awards to those individuals and businesses that have created significant partnerships with Abilities Network.
"Abilities Network has been fortunate to have built many individual, corporation and foundation partners over the past 50 years," said Lee Ann Kingham, CEO of Abilities Network. "We are able to provide quality services through our various programs to Marylanders because of the teamwork within our organization, as well as the collaboration with entities and people outside of Abilities Network."
Recipients of The John M. Freeman, M.D. Award, The Lawrence M. Garten Luminous Award for Leadership Excellence, Outstanding Corporation Award, and Board of Directors Service Awards received plates or wall hangings decorated with painted handprints made by children at the Woodbrook Early Education Learning Center, a partner of Abilities Network's Project ACT program.
The event featured in-person and video perspectives from various individuals involved in the organization. The ceremony also paid tribute to the late Dr. John Freeman (one of the founders of the organization), as well as the late Diana Pillas (who worked in the epilepsy support center at Johns Hopkins Pediatric Epilepsy Center and served on Abilities Network's Board of Directors for more than 30 years).
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MACS Achievement Awards
Adrian White (program director, Abilities Network), Stephanie Shagoury (support manager, Abilities Network), award recipient Chris Centineo, William Kool (support specialist, Abilities Network), and Becca Hudson (program director, Abilities Network)
Chris Centineo has been awarded the MACS Achievement Award by the Maryland Association of Community Services.
Centineo began receiving employment services from Abilities Network during summer 2012. While seeking employment in another field, Centineo was offered a position as a dairy clerk at Harris Teeter in Olney, Md. Although this was not his dream job, Centineo had a strong desire to work; and so, he accepted the position that October. Months later, Centineo transferred to a new position as a front end associate due to his passion for providing excellent customer service.
On October 18, 2013, Centineo received a letter from the executive vice president of Harris Teeter commending him for his outstanding customer services skills. Centineo has been recognized time and time again by his employer and was honored with the I Leader Award in January. Not only has Centineo's employer taken notice of his exceptional Abilities, but customers too. One customer purchased a Panera gift card for Centineo to thank him for providing such outstanding customer service.
"Chris has been such a pleasure to work with since he began services with Abilities Network two years ago," said Becca Hudson, program director, Abilities Network. "He has excelled in his career at Harris Teeter and based on his passion and commitment to his job, he was a natural choice to receive our 2014 MACS Award. We look forward to all of the great things that Chris will continue to accomplish as his career progresses."
Hudson and the rest of Centineo's team nominated him for the MACS Achievement Award in the area of Professional Accomplishment. Centineo was awarded at the MACS Achievement Awards dinner held Tuesday, April 29, at the BWI Airport Marriott hotel in Linthicum, Md.
After two years of job searching, Centineo was offered a full-time position in the field he was originally interested in. However, he decided to stay at his place of employment, which speaks highly to the valued relationship between Centineo and Harris Teeter - where he has found his new dream job.
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C&O Canal Bike Ride
Myron Polischuk (customs and border protection officer, U.S. Customs and Border Protection) and Betsy Weaving (director of program services, Abilities Network) get ready to start their six-day bike tour in support of Abilities Network.
The 4th Annual Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Bike Ride to benefit Abilities Network was held Monday, April 28, through Saturday, May 3.
Betsy Weaving, Abilities Network's director of program services, and Myron Polischuk, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer, rode their bikes for six straight days from Pittsburgh to D.C.
"The camping bicycle ride on the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal trails was filled with beauty, challenge and a lot of fun," Weaving said.
The adventurous participants rode their bikes for 317 miles each. However, Weaving isn't tired yet as she plans for next year.
"I'm already looking forward to April 2015 for my fourth bike tour," Weaving said.
Polischuk isn't stopping either; he stated that the cause keeps him going.
"Four years in a row and 1030 miles for a good cause," Polischuk said.
The event raised $1,850 in support of Abilities Network. To find out how to get involved with the organization, call 800-492-2523 (toll free) or
410-828-7700 (local).
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