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. | |
My League Story: Meaningful Day | |
If you have visited The League over the past six years, it is very likely that you have had the pleasure of chatting with Dionte. As a seasoned Day Habilitation participant, Dionte makes his daily rounds of the building from the Wellness Center to the Multi-Purpose Room to the front lobby to the Snack Shack and back to the Meaningful Day Wing where he assists Ms. Vickey with her hybrid lessons. Dionte has a full schedule but is never too busy to hold the door for someone, assist a friend down the hallway, or offer a warm smile and kind words to anyone that he greets. One of his favorite things to do is help others, a very obvious fact to all who know Dionte. | Dionte (center) smiles and poses with his friends in front of a wintry back drop. | |
Dionte prepares himself for another round of reps in the Wellness Center. | Dionte enjoys cooking, baking, sports, and fitness; he works on his cardio and strengthening exercises at The League’s Emmert Hobbs Fitness Center and swims a few laps around The Malcolm Hecht Therapeutic Pool on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to achieve his fitness goals. When Dionte is not at The League, he visits Lexington Market on Saturdays, supports the Baltimore Ravens on Sundays, and watches his favorite weeknight gameshows like Family Feud, Jeopardy!, and Wheel of Fortune. | For The League, Dionte is a welcome and well-rounded presence to all staff, participants, and visitors; for Dionte, The League is a place for him to remain active, engaged, and healthy. The friendships that he has built over the years encourage him to be supportive and kind to all. | |
“One of the things that makes The League so unique is the diversity of our staff and the participants we serve! We are constantly looking for ways to highlight how our diversity contributes to The League being an #EmployerofChoice.” – Melita B. | |
As a 2021 recipient of the James W. Rouse Excellence in Diversity Award from the Chesapeake Human Resources Association, The League is very excited to congratulate League Camping & Recreation Director Melita B. for her appointment to the role of Chair of the Cultural Diversity Committee! Through her insight and leadership, The League will continue to be inclusive for all and support its staff as an Employer of Choice. | |
On February 14th, The League's spirited Youth Autism Services Team donned their matching t-shirts and brought treats, smiles, and a song to their colleagues for an extra sweet Valentine's Day surprise. | |
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Student Interns at The League | |
The League is extremely fortunate to have strong relationships with its neighboring academic communities and institutions. Our participants benefit the most from different perspectives, collaborations, and good will. The bonds between university students and League participants yield the opportunity for growth, compassion, and meaning. | |
The League’s SCALE Aphasia Program is continuing to foster long-term relationships with area universities and trains Bachelors of Science and Masters level Speech Language Pathology students, Masters and PhD level Occupational Therapists, Johns Hopkins Pre-Med students via Neuro-Cognitive Science Coursework, as well as Masters level Social Work students. Read excerpts from last semester’s two Masters Occupational Therapy students' and one Pre-med student's thoughtful reflections here. | |
The League welcomes all disciplines of internships, even if Neuro-Cognitive Science coursework isn’t part of your major. John P., a first-year student of Notre Dame’s Art Therapy Graduate Program, has been working with Art Therapist Liz and the Adult Medical Day and Meaningful Day participants since September of 2021. Prior to interning at The League, he had never worked with people with disabilities and had no idea that he would find The League to be so welcoming and fun. John spends Mondays and Fridays at The League’s Cold Spring Lane campus setting up for art sessions, assisting participants in their artistic endeavors under Ms. Liz’s instruction, cleaning up after the masterpieces have been made, and logging participant attendance. He enjoys the dynamism of The League and the valuable lessons therein to be learned; above all, he has learned to be patient and have respect for the participants’ needs. He admits that it is difficult for him to pick a favorite project because they are all engaging and the participants have ample enthusiasm about creating new pieces and trying new techniques. With the completion of his two year Masters Degree program, John looks forward to exploring his career options and potentially starting a practice to service individual clients of his own. | |
John (right) steadies the canvas for Shane (left) as he paints an abstract masterpiece. | John is both inspired and rewarded by the individual growth and connections that he can be a part of at The League. | To request more information about internship opportunities at The League, please email Dawn Witherspoon, Vice President of Human Resources & Compliance, at dwitherspoon@leagueforpeople.org. | |
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Join The League’s G.E.M. (Give Every Month) Club to continuously foster the creativity of our participants. Your donation of just $10 a month will cover the cost of supplies for one of Medical Day's Art Therapy sessions so that interns like John can continue to connect with the talented artists that he assists two days a week. | |
The League Fund Year-End Campaign Success | |
The League Fund Year-End Campaign was a striking success thanks to donors like YOU! Take a look at how we have grown and expanded our reach to continue our important work. Together, we are able to give youth and adults the opportunity to gain independence, increase self-sufficiency, and lead fulfilling lives. | |
Fall in Love with Fitness | |
Tish enjoys the core-strengthening equipment available in the bright and sunny gym. | |
Tish makes fitness look amazing – and attainable! She joined The Wellness Center in August of 2021 and has been investing in herself for four days a week ever since. Tish values her Wellness membership because it is close, convenient, and all-encompassing; she swipes her access card after work and jumps right into her routine for a happy, healthy lifestyle. Her fellow members and the staff make workouts easy and enjoyable with their friendliness and positivity. Now that Tish has her fitness plan locked in, her next goal is to convince her husband to come more often! | The Wellness Center is open to League staff, participants, and neighbors! If you live in the area and want to establish your own fitness regimen in a safe, clean, and inclusive environment like Tish, join The Wellness Center! | |
#OMGFOOD: Please Join Us! | |
The 5th Annual #OMGFOOD Event will be held at the NEW Marriott Owings Mills Metro Centre on March 31st from 6:00 – 10:00 PM. As one of the first full-service hotels in Owings Mills, Maryland, the upscale property is located amidst the shopping, dining and events of Metro Centre at Owings Mills and is walking distance from Owings Mills Metro Station.
Free parking is available in the garages adjacent to the hotel.
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Check out our tasting partners and highlights from the evening’s menu as we plan to sample “A Taste of Maryland’s Cocktails & Cuisine.” | |
Pull out your business cocktail attire and get ready to experience a tastefully curated evening featuring an open bar, dinner, tastings from local food and beverage partners, an exciting auction, a showcase of The League’s story, entertainment, and more all to benefit The League for People with Disabilities! | |
Tickets
Individual tickets include access to the event including the open bar, tastings, local fare, dinner, dessert, entertainment, an auction, and much more!
$200 per guest
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Tables
Includes a reserved table of 10 (10 tickets for the event) and customized signage on the table to be determined by the Table Host. All 10 tickets include access to the event, the open bar, tastings, local fare, dinner, dessert, entertainment, an auction, and much more!
$2,000 per table
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Sponsorship Opportunities
Celebrate the League’s 95 years of community support and social responsibility, while enhancing your brand awareness by marketing to our exceptional audience of supporters. As an event sponsor, your name and logo will be featured in our printed and online event materials and you are entitled to complimentary tickets to the event.
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Please consider making a donation to Fund-our-Mission so that we may continue to provide meaningful support and vital services to people with disabilities.
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Our superstar Auction Sub-Committee is looking for smaller items to fill out the incredible silent auction packages. Check out the Amazon Wish List and add a few items to your cart.
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For more information on the 5th Annual #OMGFOOD event, visit our event page here or contact Robyn Dammers, Director of Development, at rdammers@leagueforpeople.org or 410-323-0500 x383. | |
A Concluding Note from Our President & CEO | |
Dear Friends of The League, | |
What a thrilling start to the new year as The League approaches its 95th Anniversary in April! Our departments are preparing for the festivities of Spring and the promise of warmer weather; program staff are working hard to safely increase in-person participant census numbers and forming new partnerships with community businesses. The start of the Spring semester has new local university students and interns collaborating with our very bright and talented participants in fun and engaging ways.
The League’s 5th Annual #OMGFOOD Event is quickly approaching and the momentum around this one-of-a-kind event experience is exciting! The volunteer committee behind #OMGFOOD has selflessly dedicated their time, efforts, and resources to creating a unique evening at the beautiful new Marriott Owings Mills Metro Centre filled with an enticing silent auction, a mouthwatering menu, and an entertaining evening for all to remember. I hope to see you there!
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Lastly, I am pleased to report that The League’s expanded outdoor garden space now has a permanent pavilion structure for participants, staff, and visitors to enjoy. The recent tease of warmer weather has me impatient for our participants to begin outdoor horticulture therapy and exercise in the garden once again. I look forward to the wonderful things in store for The League and hope to connect with you along the way. Please continue to stay safe and healthy.
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David A. Greenberg
President & CEO
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Your gift to The League Fund allows The League to continue providing important services in our community.
Together, we are able.
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You can also mail a check made payable to
“The League for People with Disabilities” to:
The League, c/o The League Fund
1111 E. Cold Spring Lane
Baltimore, MD 21239
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 & Marketing
Maureen Jeffreys, VP, Developmental Disabilities Services
For more information, you can visit our website at www.leagueforpeople.org.
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