Posted on January 19, 2022
I will be the first to admit this isn’t the most inspirational headline for a New Year’s Blog. However, I encourage you to stick with me while I get to the “but…” part. We exited the holidays with COVID infections reaching an average of more than 760,000 new cases per…
Posted on December 28, 2021
Gratitude for what you have. Holidays have a way of making people feel joyful, nostalgic and sometimes disconnected. Let’s make this a time to focus on our good memories and relationships, the challenges overcome, the lessons learned, and the small miracles happening all around us. Generosity with praise. Who are the people that have stayed by your side during difficulties,…
Posted on November 16, 2021
Each morning when we wake up to greet the day, I believe all of us are given the opportunity to say, “OK, this could be a good or bad day, so what do I need to do to make it a good one?”
Posted on October 22, 2021
The theme for the 2021 National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month is “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion.” It reflects the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities have full access to employment and community involvement during the national recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Posted on September 22, 2021
Dr. Howard Hendricks, a former professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, famously said, “The secret to concentration is elimination.” I have often thought of that wise advice when trying to figure out which activities are consuming my time – both in my personal and business life – at the expense…
Posted on August 31, 2021
When the time came to brainstorm about Penn-Mar’s rebrand, we realized we were not looking for something aspirational as much as a concept that would clearly communicate and capture what we see happening here every day.
Our tagline “Transforming life into living” had served us well for many years but it spoke more to what we as an organization did rather than explain what it takes to create a life of their own choosing for the people we support.
What it takes is courage.
Posted on June 30, 2021
It has been a busy summer at Penn-Mar, to say the least . . . behind the scenes, from March until May, our Strategic Planning Team was holding a series of meetings to identify key issues to be considered as Penn-Mar works toward fulfilling its mission and achieving its vision of the post-COVID future.
Posted on June 22, 2021
I wish I could provide clear timeframes when all of our Penn-Mar supports will be reinitiated but unfortunately, we still need to adhere to mandated government and health department COVID restrictions. All of us are anxious for the “all clear” signal that will have us…
Posted on March 29, 2021
With the pandemic still looming, we are restricted in how we can commemorate this year’s Intellectual & Developmental Disability (IDD) Awareness Month. But there’s nothing stopping us from continuing to promote the progress that has been made in our field, especially as we mark Penn-Mar’s…
Posted on March 3, 2021
Friday, February 5 was a long-awaited day at Penn-Mar. That’s when some 300 of the individuals we support in Maryland, along with many of our DSPs and team members, voluntarily rolled up their sleeves and received the first of two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine….
Posted on January 25, 2021
I have been fortunate to be associated with Penn-Mar for 33 years of its 40 year existence. It is my honor to be able to lead our organization into this significant Anniversary year and to have the opportunity to work alongside a committed and loyal…
Posted on December 16, 2020
In 2021 Penn-Mar will be celebrating its 40th Anniversary. It’s hard to believe I have been with the organization for 32 of those years. But this journey from a residential program director to CEO has given me a…
Posted on November 24, 2020
Over 140 million Americans cast their vote in the recent historic presidential election. Millions of people are elated about their candidate’s victory while millions more are having a hard time accepting the results. But this is what our electoral process is all about. And regardless…
Posted on October 20, 2020
It hardly seems possible but that this month we are celebrating the 75th year of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) and recognizing 30 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed. This year’s NDEAM events and activities are centered on the theme,…
Posted on October 20, 2020
It hardly seems possible but that this month we are celebrating the 75th year of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) and recognizing 30 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed. This year’s NDEAM events and activities are centered on the theme,…
Posted on August 24, 2020
This month we are putting the spotlight on Penn-Mar’s Program Managers, the people who frankly have what I believe to be one of the most difficult roles of any position in our organization. As a group, they are one of the true linchpins of our…
Posted on July 28, 2020
In the midst of all the uncertainties that come with the COVID-19 virus, a faltering economy, and social justice movements, even the experts are often at a loss for answers. But here at Penn-Mar, we need to have a good answer to the most important…
Posted on June 16, 2020
On April 20th, in the midst of the pandemic, my cousin Benjamin Miller quietly passed away. He was only 44 years old but lived 43 years longer than anyone thought he would. Ben was born with Zellweger spectrum disorder. As an infant, children with this…
Posted on May 26, 2020
The challenges continue. Trying to adjust to extended sheltering-in-place orders that have upended households and temporarily suspended routines and relationships. Acclimating to home schooling for the kids and home offices for the adults. Worrying about paying bills with reduced income or worse yet, no income…