“I was born to oversee a fleet but didn’t even realize it”  Kelly Lorenzen earned her college degree in art history and expressed her creative talent on personal projects while she stayed home for 20 years raising her family. In 2017 she was ready to try...
Motivated to advance her career and successfully lead her team.After Kristen Brookshire graduated from high school, she had no idea what the future would hold. All she knew was that she needed a job, so she found work at a tavern, a pharmacy, and a...
Credits Godmother for her influence and “voice of reason.” Detra Craig, a Residential Supervisor at one of Penn-Mar’s community homes in Baltimore County, spent her early years in foster care. When she was 7, she and her brother and sister went to live with their...
Focus on tech, growth and support opportunities[caption id="attachment_1672" align="alignright" width="300"] Gregory MillerPresident/CEO Penn-Mar Human Services[/caption]Our mission at Penn-Mar is to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live courageously in pursuit of their best life.Our success in fulfilling this promise relies on thoughtful strategic...
Each month, we highlight a “behind-the-scenes” team member whose work supports our mission, but whose face you might not often see on our social media pages.We’re excited to help you get to know our innovative team and the complex work we do. So, tune in...
This article was originally published in World of Possibilities Magazine's Fall 2024 edition. It was written by Allis Kensing, Enabling Technology Manager at Penn-Mar.My first experience with Assistive Technology (AT) solutions was in 2016 while working for a provider to find employment opportunities for people...
“The organization’s values were as important to me as their mission.”Doris Lowe admits there’s a lot to miss since retiring this past April after 27 years as an administrative assistant at Penn-Mar.She loved her time at Penn-Mar, not only because of the organization’s mission, but also...
A self-described “surreal” journey since applying to Penn-Mar “on a whim.”[caption id="attachment_12743" align="alignright" width="300"] Jessica poses with her husband in her cap and gown.[/caption]To say 2024 was a “trifecta year” for Jessica Patchel is an understatement. The Penn-Mar North Day Program Manager graduated from college,...
She wishes everyone could “know what we know” about people with disabilities.With her helpful nature and love of animals, people were always telling Megan McLaren that she should pursue a career in education or veterinary medicine.Three years ago, while working in retail management, she knew...
When Jen Skelly was debating whether to enhance her credentials with a general studies master’s degree or focus on a curriculum that would benefit her work at Penn-Mar as Director of PA Operations, she chose the latter.That decision led to a two-year journey with the...