theAdvocatetheAdvocateSummer 2007
The Arc of Baltimore Mission StatementTo ensure that people with developmental disabilities
have maximum opportunities to actively participate
in all aspects of community life and to offer programs
and services that support them in doing so.
JK Ferrell has a passion for safety.
“In The Arc’s efforts to help people
with developmental disabilities be
as independent as possible, we need to
help them learn how to plan for the
unexpected and to respond to
emergencies and disasters. Having that
knowledge is an important part of
leading a responsible adult life.”
That rationale is one of the driving
forces behind JK’s commitment to
creating, coordinating and centralizing
a comprehensive safety plan for the
agency. Clearly, doing so is no small
task for an organization the size of The
Arc of Baltimore, especially when you
consider that the plan includes home
and workplace safety, safe driving and
emergency and disaster preparedness.
Fortunately, JK has a good sense of
humor to help him stay grounded
while tackling that enormous
undertaking.
“All employees of The Arc of
Baltimore have safety responsibilities,
so I’ve got plenty of help. In fact, I like
to think that I supervise the agency’s
largest department!”
Kidding aside, JK is recruiting and
training employees to be safety officers
to help administer the safety plan
throughout the agency. Each Day
Center will have one officer; the larger
Employment Center at Seton will have
two. Safety officers from the
Community Living division will over-
see several sites.
In addition to training their peers,
safety officers will identify potential
hazards and suggest ways to eliminate
The ArcIntensifies itsFocus on Safety
C O N T I N U E D O N P A G E 3
C O N T I N U E D O N P A G E 2
Mike Eikenberg and Chuck
Shettle, veteran co-chairs of
The Arc of Baltimore’s
celebrity golf tournaments, have a
reputation for going the extra mile to
ensure success, and their efforts paid off
again this year. The 13th annual tourney
was held at the Diamond Ridge and
Woodlands golf courses on a picture-perfect, warm May day with
sunny skies, no humidity and just the right amount of breeze. Two
hundred twenty golfers, including celebrities Tom Tasselmyer,
Brooks Robinson, Lenny Moore, and Dave Johnson raised more than
$100,000 for The Arc’s programs and services.
Winners at Diamond Ridge included the following teams:
Longo’s Appliance Center, 1st place; Allstate Leasing, 2nd place;
Golf Tournament Hitsthe Sweet Spot
The team from Texas Liquids (l
to r)—Pat Carmen, Patrick
Carmen, Chris Baloga and
Mike Stallings—won first place
at the Woodlands Golf Course.
Title Sponsor
Scientific Plant Service
Awards Sponsor
R. J. Princinsky & Associates
Media Sponsors
Baltimore Business JournalComcast
Hole in One Sponsor
Bob Davidson Ford
Bay Buddies Special Sponsor
Allegis Group Foundation
Masters Sponsors
Erickson RetirementCommunities
Whiteford, Taylor & Preston
Eagle Sponsors
Bay National BankBlades & RosenfeldExpressway Office SolutionsOak ContractingSC&HTexas LiquidsUBS
Beverage Sponsor
R. W. Bozel Transfer
Birdie Sponsors
Advance Business SystemsAflacAllstate Leasing
Austin Pharmacy &Medical Supplies
Barrett Business ServicesBlue Dot of MarylandCareFirst BlueCross BlueShieldCollins/Snoops & AssociatesCompass Point MortgageConstellation NewEnergyDelmarva Data CenterFireline CorporationKronosLafarge North AmericaLearning SystemsInternational
Leonard Paper CompanyLongo’s Appliance CenterMutual of AmericaNew Carpet CompanyRiggs, Counselman, Michaels& Downes
Rosenberger & Company, PASprint NextelUnisysWachovia Bank NAWaste ManagementWise Consulting ServicesXO Communications
Special Hole Sponsors
CFS Medical Supply GroupDanaher CorporationDatapriseDundalk Center Parents GroupMcEnroe Voice and DataMLSS TitleNational Title and TagProfessional PressRosemore, Inc.Stanton CommunicationsThe Perennial Farm
Golf Tournament Hits the Sweet Spot
2
Delmarva Data Center, 3rd place; McGladrey & Pullen, 4th place; and MetLife,
5th place. Bryan DelMonte, from McEnroe Voice & Data, hit the men’s longest
drive; Robin Busch, of Fireline Corporation, was the winner in the women’s
competition. Closest to the hole contest winners included Mike Benhoff,
Hollins Organic Products; Bob Spangler, Columbia Amusements; and Rich Rosa,
Longo’s Appliance Center.
At Woodlands, the team from Texas Liquids came in first, followed by
foursomes from CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, 2nd place; Compass Point
Mortgage, 3rd place; Lafarge North America, 4th place; and RJP (R. J. Princinsky
& Associates), 5th place. Steve Ready, from RJP, had the men's longest drive,
while Beth Gasiorowski, from Whiteford Taylor Preston, took the ladies’ honor.
Closest to the hole contest winners included Jeff Weese, Compass Point
Mortgage; Geb Buchness, CareFirst; and Charles McCusker, Wachovia Bank NA.
Many thanks to the event’s planning committee: Co-chairs Mike
Eikenberg and Chuck Shettle, Loretta Letke, Joe Pandullo and Allan Sanders.
Your hard work paid off big time! ■
And now…A word TO ourtournament sponsors:
“Thanks!”
From left: Chris Grant, Gene Parry, Tom Tasselmyer and Brent Humphries played for Hollins Organic.
Baltimore Colt legend Lenny Moore poses happily with Whiteford Taylor
Preston’s Anna Kelly (left) and Abby Ross.
C O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 1
3
or reduce them to nip problems in the bud. “Their input
also will help us improve safety inspections, incident
investigations, emergency plans and emergency readiness,”
JK explains.
The agency’s safety director also hopes to improve the
tracking system for safety-related programs, incidents and
data.
Historically, The Arc has been exceedingly safety-
oriented, but September 11th, the CARF accreditation
process and Hurricane Katrina made JK want to revisit the
agency’s safety program in an effort to make its policies
more global and to centralize its administration.
“After revising our emergency readiness and response
plan, I feel comfortable that it is much more detailed than
before. It spells out specifically who’s going to do what,
when and where.”
During the revision process, JK did extensive safety
research and became somewhat of an expert in the field.
Recently, he led safety workshops at The Arc of the United
States’ convention in San Diego and at the Pacific Rim
Conference on Disabilities in Honolulu. He focused on
general safety, medical emergencies, natural disasters, utility
failures, home security and strategies to assist direct service
providers with emergency readiness efforts.
Despite his wealth of safety knowledge, JK attends
training sessions regularly to keep abreast of the latest
information. Sponsors include the Chesapeake Region
Safety Council, The Arc’s insurance companies, the
Developmental Disabilities Administration and a group
called the Disability Preparedness Center. ■
JK also is chair of the agency’s Risk Management
Committee that oversees safety functions, insurance and safety
prevention. In his “spare” time, JK coordinates The Arc’s Red
Cross blood drives and is already recruiting donors for the
next two, slated for Friday, August 31 and Friday, November
2. Both will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Arc’s
headquarters, 7215 York Road.
If you want to make JK’s day, call him at 410-296-2272 to
register to be a blood donor. If you also remember to stay alert
when you’re behind the wheel and use your knees instead of
your back to help lift heavy objects, JK will likely swoon!
C O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 1
Making a Case for Safety
As part of the The Arc’s emergency readiness and
response plan, JK Ferrell is seeking donors to
provide emergency kits for every facility and every
person in the agency. “Shelter in Place” kits are intended
to supply the needs of residents of a home or occupants of
a building for up to 3 days. Contents include a flashlight,
non-perishable food, water, a battery-powered radio and
extra batteries, important documents, extra prescription
medicines, a small tool kit, a first aid kit and other
essentials.
The “Go Kit” is a smaller, more portable version of the
Shelter in Place kit. It is meant to be carried by a person
who needs to evacuate an area quickly. Go Kits will be
stored in backpacks, small rolling suitcases or duffle bags.
Contents include items such as a cell phone and charger,
food, water, a utility pocket knife, a hat, a watch and Medic
Alert bracelets.
The estimated cost of a Shelter in Place Kit is $200; Go Kits
are valued at $100. If you would like to contribute a kit,
please send a check to The Arc of Baltimore, 7215 York
Road, Baltimore, MD 21212, Attn: Safety Kits. ■
Several golf tournament sponsors discovered the value of their support when they toured the Employment Center at Seton and met with Arc
supported employees who work in landscaping and grounds policing. Shown here, from left: Bob Libertini, Constellation NewEnergy; Crystal
Walton, Arc employee; Michelle Frontudi, Stanton Communications; KimWerner, Constellation NewEnergy; Brandon Wardlaw, Kyle
Guerieri, Joe Peck, Tyrone Bowen and Lisa Koehlerschmidt, Arc employees ; Roger Bonvino, Bob Davidson Ford; and most of Kate
Counselman, RCM&D.
The Arc Intensifies its Focus on Safety
JK Ferrell beseeches donors to sponsor safety kits.
4
On May 5, The Arc of Baltimore celebrated the achieve-
ments of its dedicated employees and volunteers at the
agency’s annual meeting and awards ceremony. WMAR-
TV’s Jamie Costello served as emcee for the event, held at Towson
University.
The evening’s highlights included the naming of Gordon S.
Bonham, Ph.D. and William H. Oliver as directors emeritus—the
equivalent of the Hall of Fame for board service at The Arc of
Baltimore. Conferred upon members as they conclude active
board service, the recognition is reserved for members whose
service has been longstanding and substantial.
Bonham, a member of the board since 1995, is chair of the
Quality Assurance Committee and a member of the Strategic
Planning Committee. He is the principal researcher on the Ask
Me! Project, a survey for which individuals with developmental
disabilities interview their peers to provide data on the quality
of life of people served by programs funded by the Maryland
Developmental Disabilities Administration.
Oliver has been on the board since 1992 and served as
president, secretary and treasurer. He is a member of the
association’s Finance Committee and serves as treasurer of The
Arc of Maryland.
Another high point of the event was the presentation of the
Harry R. Shriver President’s Cup to Robert Davison for providing
exemplary service to The Arc. Davison has been on the board of
directors for 22 years, serving as chair of the Human Rights
Committee during the entire time. ■
EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Safeway/Floyd Barry
Floyd Barry is a two-timer—at least
when it comes to being named
Employer of the Year! The Safeway
general manager is so committed to
helping people with developmental dis-
abilities succeed in the work world that
his name came up repeatedly during the
nomination process.
Safeway has employed three con-
sumers in the past four years. One indi-
vidual had a difficult time adjusting to
working outside as a courtesy clerk and
made it clear to everyone that he disliked
the job. Floyd could easily have fired him,
but the savvy general manager met with
The Arc’s support team many times to
find a solution. Refusing to give up on
the employee, Floyd spent time teaching
him new skills and then offered him a
position inside the store. Since then, the
employee has become an important part
of the
Safeway
team. He
received a
promotion
and works
in the
bakery, and
Floyd plans
to fill the
opening with a worker from The Arc of
Baltimore!
Floyd consistently uses his managerial
skills to find creative ways to support
employees from The Arc. His kindness
and dedication have made a world of
difference in the lives of those individuals.
PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD
Mt. St. Joseph High SchoolInclusion Program
Brother James Kelly, C.F.X.President
Barry FitzpatrickPrincipal
Mount St. Joseph High School is
the first Catholic high school
in the greater Baltimore
archdiocese to enroll a student who has
Down syndrome.
The student, Ben
Stevick, is fully
included in all
aspects of school
activities and
receives the
necessary supports
he needs to be
successful.
According to an
article that
appeared in The
Catholic Review last
September, “Ben’s presence at Mount St.
Joseph has changed [him] in significant
ways and touched many hearts in the
Mount community.” The article said
Brother James Kelly, C.F.X., president of
the school, believes it is a testament to
Pride, Enthusiasm Evident at AnnualMeeting
Take a Peek Inside OurWinner’s Circle
the caliber of the school’s students that
Ben has been so readily accepted. Ben’s
teacher, Cheryl Hall, accompanies Ben to
classes and serves as his personal tutor.
In her opinion, Ben’s academic skills
have far exceeded expectations and have
improved greatly—a fact she credits to
his daily exposure to conversations with
other students.
Clearly, Ben loves being at Mt. St.
Joseph. When a reporter from The
Catholic Review asked Ben which class
was his favorite, Ben smiled and said
“Chemistry, English, social studies,
religion, math, P.E.—and lunch.”
VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD
Janet and Richard Taylor
Just because a person lives in the
community doesn’t mean he or she
is actually part of the community.
Thanks to Richard and Janet Taylor,
consumer Arthur Machesney has
become part of the Church of the Holy
Comforter community. Every Sunday for
the past two and a half years, the Taylors
have transported Arthur to the church
he attended as a child. When Arthur
5
The Arc of Baltimore’s main office, it
took up an entire conference room!
Thanks to the good folks at LMCM,
there were many happy faces, lots of
giggles and quite a few tears of joy on
Christmas morning. With all of their
money earmarked for rent, gas and
electric, the two families would have
had a very different Christmas were it
not for the generous employees of Legg
Mason Capital Management.
“All that matters to us is that we
made a difference to some deserving
families,” Corinne Ratliff says.
THOMAS FERCIOTMEMORIAL AWARD
FOR PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE
Dr. Ramana Gopalan
Dedicated, committed and
compassionate are three words
commonly used to describe
Dr. Ramana Gopalan. Dr. Gopalan has
assisted a
number of
people
who
receive
support
from The
Arc of
Baltimore
during the
past year.
He per-
formed
services
not covered by Medicare on a pro bono
basis…he provided free medications to
individuals who had no medical
assistance…and when the Medicare
prescription plan changed last year, Dr.
Gopalan patiently explained its many
confusing details.
An outstanding advocate and ally,
Dr. Gopalan has written to the Social
Security Administration to help several
individuals become their own payees
and, as a result, move a step closer to
living independently. He also has
written to the MTA to help obtain
mobility or taxi access for those in need
of transportation. Without prodding,
Dr. Gopalan fills out a lot of extra
paperwork, and he does it pro bono.
Most impressive, perhaps, is Dr.
Gopalan’s reputation for being kind. He
expressed interest in returning there,
Arc staff contacted the church rector,
who recruited the Taylors. The couple is
so committed to Arthur that when they
are on vacation, they arrange for other
church members to transport him to
church.
Arthur is a roommate and child-
hood friend of Chris Mayer, son of The
Arc of Baltimore’s board member Janet
Mayer. Mrs. Mayer considers Arthur
part of her extended family, and she has
seen how much it means to Arthur to
be able to attend church again. “He and
I talked about one of the sermons
recently, and he had such a happy look
on his face. The pastor is getting Arthur
involved, and being part of the church
community makes Arthur feel so
worthwhile. The Taylors don’t do it to
be recognized, but simply because they
want to. They are exactly the kind of
people The Arc needs more of: folks
who are willing to help people like
Arthur become real members of the
community.”
SPECIAL APPRECIATION AWARDS
Legg Mason CapitalManagement
Mary-Susan DonhauserHuman Resources and
Administration Manager
Corinne Ratliff,Associate Administrator
For the past two years, employees
from Legg Mason Capital
Management (LMCM) spon-
sored four families—each having at
least one child with a developmental
disability—for Christmas. Corinne
Ratliff, an administrative assistant with
Legg Mason who coordinates the
project, says almost everyone gets
involved in the event by donating
money, shopping or wrapping.
This year, the amazing group
purchased toys and clothing for 22
people in two families. The group’s
members were determined that every-
one would have a gift to open on
Christmas day, so moms and grand-
parents were included on the shopping
lists. LMCM also gave each family a gift
card that could be used to purchase
food. When personnel from Legg
Mason delivered the merchandise to
is a wonderful listener who is considerate
of his patients’ feelings and needs, even
unspoken ones. Thank you, Dr. Gopalan,
for being both a down-to-earth doctor
and a caring friend.
STANLEY S. HERR AWARD FORADVOCACY LEADERSHIP
Ellen A. Callegary, Esq.
Public service is in Ellen Callegary’s
blood. “I was raised by a dad who
was a lawyer and a mother who
studied psychology. My dad did a lot of
work for the national Disabled American
Veterans Commission, and he and my
mom were both very public service-
oriented,” Ellen explains.
As a practicing attorney and a
founding partner in the law firm of
Callegary & Steedman, P.A., Ellen is
keeping her family’s tradition of service
alive. She specializes in special education,
disability and family law issues, helping
children and adults throughout
Maryland obtain appropriate special
education and rehabilitation services.
“I love what
I learn from my
clients,” Ellen
says. “I see the
real impact of
disabilities on
people’s lives
every day. They
are amazingly
courageous.”
During a
decade as an
assistant attorney general for the State of
Maryland, Ellen advised state agencies on
matters related to the rights of persons
with disabilities and served as principal
counsel for the Department of Juvenile
Services. She has lectured on health law
and taught AIDS and mental health law
clinics at the University of Maryland
School of Law, where she is a member of
the adjunct faculty. Her article, “The
IDEA’s Promise Unfulfilled: A Second
Look at Special Education & Related
Services for Children with Mental Health
Needs After Garret F.,” appeared in the
Journal of Health Care Law & Policy,
Volume 5, 2002.
OFFICERSPresident
GILBERT F. KENNEDY, III
Vice President
ERIC GROSS
Secretary
PEARLETHA PEGUESE
Treasurer
MARK PARÉ
Past President
MATTHEW G. YANCISIN
DIRECTORSBARBARA BAILEYJ. JOSEPH CURRAN, IIIROBERT DAVISONTONIA FERGUSONMICHELLE HARTLORETTA LETKEJAMES LISTJANET MAYER
EDMOND B. NOLLEY, JR.SEAN O’CONORDENNIS RASMUSSENJEFF REVERPATRICIA ROSNERDORIS ROWEMARY SCOTTTHOMAS SESSOMESSTEPHEN J. SFEKASJOYCE TARRANTEARNEST WOODARDMIKE YOUNG
2007-08 Officers and Directors
C O N T I N U E D O N P A G E 6
The 2007 legislative session was marked by a number of
firsts. It was the inaugural session for incoming
Governor Martin O’Malley as well as for a number of
newly elected legislators. It also marked the first time that the
Governor and the General Assembly had the opportunity to
invoke the COLA bill, which passed during last year’s session
and provides an inflationary increase for developmental
disability service providers.
Dominating the session were weighty concerns about the
significant structural budget deficit expected in the FY 2009
budget—and the need to develop a plan to address it. Another
area of concern involved crisis conditions at the state-run
Rosewood Center. Identified by the Office of Health Care
Quality and the Maryland Disability Law Center, these
conditions cast a spotlight on issues relating to state residential
centers and people with developmental disabilities, including
community capacity, appropriate services and supports for
people with criminal justice involvement and the need for
institutional services.
The summary below is excerpted from a report prepared by
Laura Howell, executive director of the Maryland Association
of Community Services (MACS). ■
Looming Budget Crisis a Focus of 2007Legislative Session
6
BUDGET ISSUES
COLA / INFLATIONARY INCREASE
A significant advocacy effort paved the way for the General
Assembly to pass a budget for FY 08 that includes $12 million
for a 2% inflationary increase for DDA-licensed providers. This
represents partial implementation of the COLA legislation
passed last year, requiring the Governor to include an infla-
tionary increase—based on the recommendation of the
Community Services Reimbursement Rate Commission—
in the budget. The Commission had recommended a 3.83%
increase for developmental disability providers in FY 08.
SELF-ADVOCACY NETWORK
The Governor removed all funding for the self-advocacy
network ($110,000) from the DDA budget, and the General
Assembly restored partial funding. The budget restricts
approximately $72,000 in administrative funds to be used
only for self-advocacy.
SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET
Governor O’Malley released a supplemental budget that
included $1.5 million for Rosewood and $1 million to begin
implementation of the federal “Money Follows the Person”
grant. There was no additional funding for the COLA or the
Waiting List.
LEGISLATIVE ISSUES
TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE DEVELOPMENTALDISABILITES ADMINISTRATION RATE PAYMENT SYSTEMS— PASSED
SB 4859 creates a task force to study the rate payment system
of the Developmental Disability Administration (DDA) and
make recommendations for change. The task force is expected
to help identify significant challenges facing providers due to
the increasingly outdated and under-funded rate system.
Additionally, it provides an opportunity for stakeholders to
work hand-in-hand with DDA to develop recommendations for
the Governor and the General Assembly.
ROSEWOOD TRANSITION PLAN — PASSED
HB 970, the bill that mandates a plan for the Rosewood
Center, was passed by the General Assembly. As originally
drafted, the bill would have closed the Rosewood Center by
2010, but the bill was amended to remove that mandate.
However, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
(DHMH) will be required to develop a plan to serve all
Rosewood residents in the most integrated setting possible
and in a manner consistent with each individual’s written
habilitation plan. A transition timetable must be
included. DHMH must also develop a plan to serve Rosewood
residents who have been involved with the criminal justice
system and develop recommendations regarding State
employees and alternative use of the property.
“FREEDOM OF CHOICE” — FAILED
HB 1358 would have significantly changed the policy of the
State of Maryland regarding services for people with develop-
mental disabilities. HB 1358 would have removed the right of
individuals with developmental disabilities to live in
“surroundings as normal as possible” and would have
required admission to a state residential center for individuals
who choose to live in one.
Take a Peek in OurWinner’s Circle C O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 5
Beth Pepper, Esq. presents a convincing case for
recognizing Ellen Callegary with this prestigious
award. “Ellen is a special type of lawyer because she
cares. She cares about her clients—their dreams
and hopes. She cares about her students—their
welfare and future. She cares about her
colleagues—their professional development and
growth. She cares about the law—its direction and
promise of equality and opportunity. For this and
all her other achievements, Ellen Callegary carries
out the legacy of Stanley Herr, our mutual friend.” ■
7
Ensuring that individuals supported by the
agency have CHOICE—and a voice—in
decisions that affect their lives is a guiding
principle at The Arc of Baltimore.
Mike Marshall, director of quality insurance,
explains it this way: “CHOICE is about giving
people the opportunity and the information to
allow them to make informed decisions about
their lives. This includes—but is not limited to—
where they live and with whom they live, where
they work, what they wear, what they eat, what
activities they want to participate in. Basically,
many of these are decisions you and I take for
granted, but The Arc of Baltimore believes in
empowering people to take control of their lives
to the best of their ability.”
In the realm of community living, staff
members try to ensure that individuals have
CHOICE in terms of roommates and living
situations. Kevin Martin, Elbin Morton and
Derrick Hairston are perfect examples.
Kevin and Elbin were living with a third
roommate who was preparing to move to a more
independent living situation. Derrick had been
living with his mother, but she had a severe stroke
that left her in a nursing home and left Derrick
shuttling between relatives’ homes.
Derrick and Kevin have been friends since
elementary school. So when a Kevin’s roommate
moved out, he suggested Derrick move in. Kevin
and his house counselor, Alice Corpin, talked to
Elbin about the idea. Elbin didn’t know Derrick
but he approved of the plan and a thrilled
Derrick moved in a few months later.
Alice was concerned Elbin would feel like an
outsider with old friends Kevin and Derrick.
“Before Derrick moved in, Kevin and I talked a
lot about the importance of including Elbin. It
has worked out just fine.
Two months into
the new living arrange-
ment, Alice marvels
that the three men
seem like they’ve lived
together forever. They
go to movies, dances
and car shows; they
ride bikes and eat out a lot. A new pool table with
a top that converts into an air hockey game has
been a big hit with the roommates, too.
Initially, Alice says, Elbin was a bit slow to
warm up to his new roommate. Now he calls
Derrick “best buddy.” Recently, Elbin bought a
new keyboard and, although he was reluctant to
share it, has started to teach Derrick how to
play it.
The three men spend a good part of each
evening hanging out in Kevin’s room, but Derrick
also likes to spend time by himself in his new
La-Z-Boy recliner. Alice says she talked to him
about learning to be assertive about getting the
“alone time” he needs.
Alice believes she lives with the three most
delightful men in The Arc’s community living
program. “Each one of them is unique, but they
are all so content.
“Derrick is one of the most remarkable people
I have ever met. He has cerebral palsy and looks so
fragile, but he is so strong. He has worked at
McDonald’s for more than 18 years. His legs are so
thin and weak that he looks very unstable, but he
takes out the trash, wipes down tables and cleans
the bathrooms all day long, without a single
complaint. He works harder than a person who
has two good legs.
“He also has the biggest smile you’ll ever see. It
lets his soul shine right through.”
Alice calls Kevin “Mr. Stuff.” She says he has
been collecting matchbox cars since he was five
years old, and “many of them live on the floor of
his room.” Alice also considers Kevin, who works
in an enclave at Unifirst,
a “living GPS system”
because he can find any-
thing. “I don’t go to
MapQuest, I go to
Kevin. I learned the
hard way that when
MapQuest gives differ-
ent directions than Kevin’s, Kevin is always right.”
Elbin, who works at the Maryland Athletic
Club, approaches life with enthusiasm. Alice
recalls that when he first moved in, Elbin had no
money and not much of anything else besides a
dream of living independently. “He was so grateful
to be here that he spent the first two years smiling.
He always lends a helping hand, sometimes before
it is even requested. He loves his music, he loves
dances and he loves being with his roommates.”
Alice says she insists that all three men do
everything they can around the house, from
cooking to cleaning to laundry. That way, if they
choose to move to a more independent residence
someday, they’ll be well prepared. ■
Roommates Exemplify thePrinciple of CHOICE
Roommates (from left)
Elbin Morton, Kevin Martin
and Derrick Hairston enjoy
a game of pool.
CHOICE is about giving people theopportunity and the information to
allow them to make informeddecisions about their lives.
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PAIDBaltimore,MDPermitNo.2511
TheArcofBaltimore’sservicesareprovidedwithout
regardtorace,color,religion,sex,age,maritalstatus,
nationalorigin,medicalconditionordisability.
7215YorkRoadBaltimore,MD21212
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410-296-2272
www.arcofbaltimore.org
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Gilbert F. Kennedy, III, President
Stephen H. Morgan, Executive Director
Steamcom.com, Writing and Graphic Design
Three cheers for The Helping Hands, which received
the “Self-Advocacy Group Award” from The Arc of
Maryland last month. The group has 45 members,
three of whom—Doris Rowe, Tom Sessomes and
Earnest Woodard—serve on The Arc of Baltimore’s
board of directors. The Helping Hands was responsi-
ble for the name change from BARC—the Baltimore
Association for Retarded Citizens—to The Arc of
Baltimore. Group members also are involved in
efforts to close the Rosewood Center. During
Maryland’s legislation session, many members
attend hearings in Annapolis. Additionally, they help
register new voters and encourage people with
disabilities to vote in the primary and general
elections. Throughout the year, the Helping Hands
sponsors dances, shirt sales, raffles and other
fundraisers that enable the group to provide a special
holiday meal and gifts to needy families. ■
Helping Hands Honored
Athletes from The Arc’s Dundalk Center participated in a Special Olympics basketball
tournament at Coppin State University in March. Team members included, from left,
Michael Thomas, Bridget Cushing, Cindy Pritchett, John Pfeifer (kneeling), Shawn Walker,
Bonnita Killman, Billy Thomas and David Price (in background). Barb Wagner, one of the
athlete’s parents, observed: “The attitude of the Special Olympians was infectious; each
person was a joy to behold!”
Helping Hands Regi Tunstall, Earnest Woodard, Joyce Friedman, Doris Roweand Joe Jordan accept the Self-Advocacy Group Award.