Advocacy

I am a Maryland Day Program Manager here at Penn mar. I’ve been with the company for almost 5 years now, and each year I find myself in another committee or group striving to advocate for those we support daily. My passion for those we support has only grown since starting with Penn Mar. I am blessed to see the smiles on their faces daily and hear the incredible stories of so many that we support. My goal is that I am not the only one hearing these stories and seeing these smiles. I am honored to be a part of Penn Mar and the PMAC committee, advocating for those we get the opportunity to love and support.

Since the passing of my wife and recent retirement, I have chosen to focus my time and efforts on the two things most dear to me. My family and individuals with disabilities. My special needs daughter, Karen, attends the Penn-Mar Day Program and lives at a Penn-Mar residence. I have advocated for Karen her entire life and now through the Penn-Mar Advocacy Group (PMAC) I can expand my reach to other individuals and organizations. I chose to participate in PMAC at Penn-Mar because it is well managed, well organized, and has a core group of volunteers that are well connected to current political and social contacts.

I joined the Penn-Mar Advocacy Collective (PMAC) because I believe every voice should be heard in our community, in our government, and in the world. My aim is to support individuals in sharing what their DSPs mean to them and what it means to them to be seen, heard, and respected within our society.

Being a part of this committee, I am hoping to make an impact with our legislators in understanding the important jobs our DSPs do every day. We need to continue to learn, advocate and work together to make a difference for our family members with IDD.

We believe that everyone benefits from support throughout their lives, and the IDD community is no exception. Our mission is to advocate for fair wages, which enhance the capabilities of our dedicated team members and the invaluable support they provide. Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are the backbone of our organization, comprising 80% of our workforce. Despite their crucial role, DSP wages set by the state level government do not reflect their essential contributions. By advocating for fair compensation, we aim to ensure that people with IDD and their families receive the quality support they need and deserve.