IN OUR CIRCLE . . . Your Quarterly Update from Ardmore Enterprises | August 2021
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IN THIS ISSUE
Because YOU CARED
COVID-19 Update
Team Ardmore
Notables
Because YOU CARED!
FY21: A year of gratitude and resilience 

Ardmore closed out FY21—the year of “Because I Care About Others”—with our 58th Annual Meeting on June 16th. Led by Board President, Howard Stone and CEO, Lori Sedlezky with Ardmore’s super-supporter Juanita Moore Akida (Prince George’s County Parks and Recreation) serving as Mistress of Ceremonies, the virtual meeting included greetings from State Senator Douglas J. J. Peters (D-District 23) and Prince George’s Council Member Jolene Ivey (D-District 5). Two standout highlights included:

Community is at the heart of Ardmore and our 2021 In Community Together Award recipients, an advocate and leader in the disability community, a generous business partner, and a family member, truly embody the meaning of our tagline and award name. Because they care, our community is stronger, more accessible, and more inclusive.

Beatrice Rodgers was recognized for decades of tireless advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities in Maryland, and closer to home, in Prince George’s County. Bea has held many roles and influential positions over the years, and throughout them all, her commitment to community inclusion has been steady. 

Jayson Williams, the CEO of Mayson-Dixon Companies, supplied personal protective equipment at a critical time for us. Mayson-Dixon, a company whose motto is “doing well by doing right,” was a major contributor to our Do More 24/At Ardmore Days campaign, creating safe socializing spaces at our group homes.

Linda Mendoza is committed to the concept of Employment First and believes employment can be within reach for all people with disabilities. She has been actively engaged in Ardmore’s Job Club and is steadfast in supporting her son, Sean, and others receiving employment support from Ardmore in actively pursuing their job goals.

We recognize and appreciate Bea, Jayson and Linda for their partnership with Ardmore and for their commitment to create opportunities for people with disabilities to thrive in Prince George’s County. (Check out this short video that celebrates each awardee.)


We applauded Tasha Dickerson-Johnson (left) and Lara Solesi (right), who joined Ardmore’s staff in 2000, for their service to people with disabilities and their commitment to growing with Ardmore.

Lara, currently a Community Living Program Manager, began her career with Ardmore as a Direct Support Professional. She has been a valuable member of our Training Department and in 2018, received Ardmore’s Manager of the Year Award. When asked about her time with Ardmore she said, “I realized early in my career that Ardmore not only helped the people we supported, but truly walked beside them. Taking part in life celebrations of the people we support is always a highlight for me.”

Tasha’s first job with Ardmore was a Behavior Specialist. Currently, she is Director of Quality Enhancement, Training and Development and a member of the Leadership Team. Over the last two decades she has had many key responsibilities including leading the initiative of Ardmore achieving top-level Standards for Excellence© accreditation. She has been instrumental in representing Ardmore in the greater disability community and her efforts have led to policy changes at the state level, which translate to access to communities and jobs for people with disabilities. She considers seeing the people we support succeed and reap the rewards of their hard work the highlight of her career.

Thank you, Lara and Tasha, for being an essential part of Ardmore’s growth, success and future!
A Look Back...
Fiscal Year 2021 (July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021), generated many accomplishments and triumphs, such as the onboarding of a new CEO, fortifying our senior leadership, enhancing our support teams, securing a salary increase for Direct Support Professionals (our essential workers), effectively adjusting to COVID protocols, developing and implementing a more flexible person-first/community-based service delivery, enhancing Job Club, providing supported living services, improving communication with stakeholders, providing opportunities to engage our board of directors, establishing rewarding relationships with community partners, and generating over $20,000 in in-kind gifts and cash donations through our Because I Care and Do More 24/At Ardmore Days campaigns. (THANK YOU!!!)

Your generosity—as a partner, as a volunteer, as an employer, as a donor—helps to empower people with disabilities. Contact our Director of Development to discuss current opportunities or customize a giving plan.
COVID-19 Update
Reconnecting to Community

We remain vigilant in our efforts to combat COVID-19 and to educate our “Ardmore Family” on staying vigilant and safe as we strategically and slowly reengage in community activities. Our top priority is always the health and safety of those we support, their families and our staff. Go to our COVID-19 Update page on our website for helpful information and community resources.

NOTE: Ardmore’s Administrative office is open by appointment. Masks and physical distancing are required while in the building.
PHOTOS ABOVE: (left) A planning session with some Day Services Team members. (center) Evangaline and Carla exploring at the National Wildlife Visitor Center in Laurel. (right) Alex, who is supported by our Employment Supports Team, preparing training packets at his workplace.
Team Ardmore
Staff Hires, Promotions, Accolades and Notations
Join us in welcoming new employees: Meredith Billington, Residential Counselor; Justice Bowlin, Residential Counselor; Hope Christensen (view introduction video), Volunteer Chaplain; Karen Cooper-Durant; Residential Counselor, Glenda Faison, Personal Supports Counselor; Charisse Howard-Westbrook, Residential Counselor; Derwin Jackson, Employment Job Coach; Omolara Jinadu, Residential Counselor; Joanna Lara, Community Support Specialist; Caryne Moses, Community Support Specialist; Tinuade Olusoji, Residential Counselor; Melissa Schofield (read bio), Director of People and Culture; Donovan Smith, Personal Supports Counselor; Joycelyn Smith, Human Resources Coordinator; and Sonya Thomas (read bio), Director of Development.

Looking for a rewarding career? We are hiring! Review current job openings. 
Notables!

HELLO ARDMORE!

Thank you, Dr. Ida Jones, Morgan State University Archivist, for your presention and historical look at Juneteenth and Tammie Harris, Ardmore Executive Assistant, for anchoring the July Round-Up segment.

The next three Hello Ardmore! meetings (held on Thursdays from 12:30-1:15 via Zoom) are set for August 12, September 16, and October 14. Email Tammie Harris for more information.

UPCOMING

In July we celebrated the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA31) and Disabilities Pride Month.

Here’s what marked on our calendar for September and October. Details to follow.
· DSP Recognition Week (Direct Support Professionals) - September.
· Disability Employment Awareness Month - October.

Happy Summering!
Stay Vigilant! Stay Safe!