family Archives - Penn-Mar

Siblings Wanted: Why I Joined Join Penn-Mar’s Family Connections Council

ggorham — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 14:37:26 +0000

By Karen Cunnningham, Penn-Mar Sibling

Karen Cunningham stands with her husband and two sons, while Brenda sits on a chair in front of them.

My older sister Brenda has been an inspiration to me all my life. She was born with an intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) and, while people who don’t know her sometimes have a hard time understanding her, she is amazingly outgoing and has a silly sense of humor once you get to know her.

I watched my parents navigate many challenges related to her education and wellbeing, always with the understanding that I would one day take their place as Brenda’s guardian when they were no longer with us.

Inspired and shaped by my relationship with my sister, when the time came to choose a career, I followed my heart and became a special educator to support individuals and families regardless of their abilities.

After my mother passed, my father cared for Brenda with our family’s support. As his health declined, I made the decision to move Brenda to our home in Pennsylvania to live with my husband, Andy, and our two teen sons. This served as an initiation period for all of us until my dad passed away two years later.

Although I had anticipated this moment and integrated Brenda into our family routines for several years, it was nonetheless a bit of a shock when, a decade ago, I became fully responsible for her care.

That first summer I was immersed in the legal requirements of moving Brenda’s guardianship from Maryland to Pennsylvania, settling into a new home, and looking for appropriate community resources where Brenda could spend meaningful days while my husband and I were at work.

I first heard about Penn-Mar Human Services at the Irish Festival in Shrewsbury. With my special education background, I was impressed with what I learned.

Brenda soon became an enthusiastic participant in the organization’s Day Program at Far Hills where she works on art projects, explores all over Southern York County, and socializes with her friends and DSPs.

For a while, all was going well with our new arrangement — until it wasn’t.

Things got challenging when Brenda required major surgery after breaking her femur due to severe osteoporosis and medical complications. Years later, she broke her femur for the second time.

Penn-Mar team members consistently visited and offered support throughout her hospitalizations, further demonstrating the organization’s commitment to her well-being.

Even with so much support, these physical crises with my sister made me feel like I was alone on an island. I reached out to Penn-Mar for help, and they connected me to Claudia Summerson, a Penn-Mar parent who invited me to dinner, listened to my story, and shared her family’s situation.

She suggested I get more engaged with Penn-Mar and meet other families experiencing similar issues to help fill the void of connection and community.

I took Claudia’s advice and joined Penn-Mar’s Family Connections Council, an initiative that connects new families with a member of the Council, offering a consistent point of contact and a welcoming presence to those beginning their journey with Penn-Mar.

We meet virtually a few times a year to talk about ways we can promote and support Penn-Mar and their families. Members can join a peer support or discussion group; serve on the Family Connections Council; share their stories to inspire others; or participate in volunteer, fundraising, or advocacy work. We all have different skills and expertise to contribute that help cater to the individual needs and schedules of each family.

It’s important for siblings to engage with the Council to show other families that they’re not alone — we’re here to support each other. Not to mention, you will also learn about events and opportunities that will benefit you and your loved ones.

When I need help with my guardianship responsibilities, I know I can count on Penn-Mar to connect me to the right person or resource. And with my special education background and years of experience as Brenda’s guardian, I know I can be a valuable resource to other family members. If we all come together as family members, we will only become stronger in our resources and sense of community and connection. We hope you will consider joining our Family Connections Council.

To learn more about The Family Connections Council, contact Tina Chan-Sweenie at tinachansweenie@penn-mar.org.

We would like to learn about additional family resources we can provide. Your voice matters deeply and will help guide the future of Penn-Mar Human Services’ family support efforts. Please visit the link below to complete a short survey that will help us to address your needs.

Penn-Mar Human Services Family Survey – Fill out form

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Family Engagement Essential to Success of Penn-Mar’s Mission

ggorham — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 20:40:04 +0000

“Fall Family Update” offered open forum for exchanging information and perspectives

Penn-Mar has earned its reputation as a transformational leader for the supports we provide for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). To maintain that position, it’s important to continually collaborate with our families and remain perpetual “students” in our field, always curious, listening, and learning.

No matter how hard we work or how committed our team is, nothing can replace the love and connection of family. That’s why we’re focused on deepening those partnerships and finding new ways to keep families involved.

We hosted a “Fall Family Update” night in October. As the leader of our organization, I wanted to offer families the opportunity to learn more about our team and services, innovative initiatives, and advocacy efforts. More importantly, I wanted to listen to their perspectives and concerns and assure them that their input is essential to all our success.

I also want to be sure that families understand they do not have to wait for a scheduled meeting to ask a question or raise a concern. I welcome and encourage family members to contact me or other members of our leadership team if they think it’s warranted. And of course, our team of professionals — who know and work with their loved ones every day — are always available to provide information and the appropriate response.

Many who attended the “Fall Family Update” commented that they learned a lot of new information that helped shape their perspective. Communication is a two-way street, and I will own our responsibility to ensure we are being as transparent and forthcoming with families as possible.

One of the challenges of family involvement is that every family is in a different place. Some we see often, some live out of state and can only connect occasionally, and others are deeply involved every day. What doesn’t change is that customer satisfaction is as important to families as it is to the people we support.

We never want to shut families out of the process, nor are we looking for quick fixes rather than long-term solutions to issues that may crop up. We are striving to develop strong relationships with families that in every area of life require intentionality and a lot of hard work.

Penn-Mar’s person-centered support helps people with IDD be more in control of their life. However, as their loved ones become more independent, this can often be hard for families to accept.

Respectful conversations to explore differences of opinion with the person’s best interest in mind can only be successful if we have a strong relationship with the family members. Their voices are important; their life experience with their loved ones is a vital part of the equation.

Our success must be grounded on a platform of trust between Penn-Mar and our families with a clear focus being on the person we support and what they want in life.

Part of staying curious is continually looking for different ways to set up the people we support for success. That means new Assistive Technology solutions to increase independence and skills for people with IDD, for example.

Our new Washington Heights facility will meet the needs of people with IDD and their families in Carroll County who were asking for support service options at a central hub that could provide community-based programming in an environment where people can learn, recharge, and connect as needed. 

At the end of the day, our goal at Penn-Mar is centered around helping the people we support live their fullest life and become the best person they can be.

I believe in my heart that our families want that too. Nothing can ever replace the love of your family. Where we come in is to work with families to help their loved ones pursue their goals and live courageously.

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A Journey of Family, Gratitude and Support

ggorham — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 16:19:16 +0000

By Kathleen McMahon, Penn-Mar Parent & Advocate

As a former teacher, I have cherished many profound experiences and found great fulfillment in connecting with my students and making a difference in their lives. I am also the mother of two incredible children who have taught me invaluable lessons and remain the joy of my life.

Over 10 years ago I retired with my husband Ed to the Eastern Shore. We enjoy living in a quiet community during this peaceful point in our lives and know how lucky we are.

Recently, we’ve been reflecting on the support that has carried us through the years, and we are deeply grateful for how it has given us the chance to build this life we love. The journey, however, has not been without its challenges.

My two children, David, 48, and Kara, 46, were both born with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). As a divorced mother, I needed to provide for my family and was fortunate to build a career in education as a teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent of Baltimore County Schools.

I first encountered Penn-Mar Human Services through their summer program for children with IDD, which David and Kara enjoyed immensely.

Both children also attended classes at Towson University. David worked at the University Recycling Center during his studies and remained there for four more years. He has since moved on to other successful employment opportunities and has become quite financially savvy.

After turning 21, David and Kara were accepted into Penn-Mar’s Day Program, and soon after, I started looking for long-term housing opportunities for them. Since they had always lived outside the city, I wanted to find a place where they could feel safe, cared for, and happy. Penn-Mar was clearly the best match.

Today, Penn-Mar is their life.

David and Kara now live happily in Penn-Mar community housing, just a mile apart on the same road in Maryland.

Every other weekend they visit us on the Eastern Shore, where David enjoys his jet ski, sailboat, and riding tractor. While he and my husband are out on the water or tending the lawn on our three-acre property, my daughter and I spend time at the local farmer’s market, work on puzzles, and enjoy quiet moments together.

But perhaps what warms my heart the most is, after their visits, both children eagerly anticipate returning to their Penn-Mar family and activities.

Penn-Mar has blessed our family in countless ways. The amazing Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who help our children achieve meaningful lives are truly the most kind, selfless, and caring individuals any parent could hope for. They never fail to keep us continually updated on our children’s well-being and achievements.

From my days as a single parent, I made it a priority to support Penn-Mar financially, even when resources were limited. Over time, I set a personal goal to someday provide a legacy gift as well.

When my husband and I recently updated our will, we made sure to provide for his son’s family as well as my two children. We also chose to leave David and Kara’s portion of our estate to Penn-Mar — a decision made from deep gratitude for the unwavering support we’ve received and in recognition of the lasting impact Penn-Mar has had on our family.

Most importantly, we are comforted knowing that, even after we are gone, these resources will help sustain Penn-Mar’s mission and its remarkable team members who are making a positive difference every day for families like ours.

The Penn-Mar Legacy Society honors individuals and families who include Penn-Mar in their estate plans. By doing so, they help ensure that people with disabilities, and the families who love them, will have the same opportunities and support for generations to come. Joining is simple: you can name The Penn-Mar Foundation as a beneficiary in your will, trust, insurance policy, retirement plan, or other assets. You may choose to remain anonymous or allow us to recognize your generosity. To learn more, download our Planned Giving Guide.

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My Family’s Personal Gratitude During DSP Recognition Week

ggorham — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 16:23:17 +0000

By Michele Jacobs, Penn-Mar Parent

Before moving from Baltimore City to Parkton, MD in 2012, our family prioritized finding a human services provider that could continue offering one-to-one support for our eldest son, Scott, now 35.

Scott is non-verbal and sometimes experiences behavioral challenges related to communication difficulties. But he also makes himself known — he has a contagious laugh and smile that never fails to captivate those around him.

Scott loves all kinds of music and carries around a hand-held radio so he can quickly switch between stations. If he is at a venue with live music, you can always find him dancing right in front of the stage.

Scott can comprehend what is being said and uses hand gestures to better communicate. Most recently, he has been relying on an Assistive Technology (AT) device with photos of people, places, and things that he can reference when signaling his wants, needs, and topics of discussion.

My husband Allen and I were looking for a provider who could give our son the meaningful and engaging life he both desired and deserved. We were extremely fortunate to find Penn-Mar Human Services, which is conveniently located only a few miles from our home. Penn-Mar’s Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) have changed not just Scott’s life, but ours too.

Scott lives at home but attends Penn-Mar’s Day Program every weekday. The program provides him with the individual attention he needs, gives him opportunities to explore the community every day, keeps him safe, and empowers him to develop friendships. Because Scott can be overwhelmed by large groups, the DSPs who support him make accommodations to surround him with smaller groups of people to ensure his comfort.

He likes to be “on the go,” but after considering several employment opportunities, he and his Penn-Mar team decided he would be best suited running his own business where he could travel from task to task. Consequently, “Scott’s Sweets and Treats” was established. Scott has two candy boxes at local pizza shops. With the assistance of his DSP, he purchases candy from Sam’s Club, delivers the candy and then fills the boxes, selling the candy for fifty cents or three for one dollar. He collects the profits and then uses some to buy himself drinks and snacks.

I often become emotional when speaking about these amazing DSPs who have made such a difference in my son’s and our family’s life. For 13 years, they’ve stood by Scott and by us, finding ways every single day to help him live his best life.

Supporting Scott takes patience and creativity, and his DSPs have shown both of these qualities in abundance. Each has brought their own history and perspective to his person-centered life plan, giving him experiences and insights we could never provide on our own. Year after year, they have stood with him and with us, ensuring he is cared for in every way, and our gratitude is immense.

September 7-13 is DSP Recognition Week. I hope you will join our family — and all the families who have loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) — to say “thank you” to this essential and dedicated workforce for all they do to make this world a better place.

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Retiree Doris Lowe Sends SMILES to All Her Friends at Penn-Mar

ggorham — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 15:50:26 +0000

“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 because of the people she met there and the diversity of her tasks. “It was different every day,” she remembered. “There were always new challenges mixed in with the daily routines. The atmosphere was one of constant comings-and-goings of team members, the individuals we supported, and the vendors who always checked in at my desk.”

Doris poses for a photo with her husband and sister, Janie.

And perhaps the most important perk of her job was that she was often able to cross paths with her “pride and joy,” sister Mary Jane “Janie” Bull, who was one of the original people enrolled in Penn-Mar’s Adult Day, Production, and Supported Employment programs back in the 80s. After 38 years at Penn-Mar, Janie is now “retired,” continuing to live with family next door to Doris in Freeland.

After Doris joined Penn-Mar in 1998 as a part-time receptionist at the Freeland Central Office, she soon segued into a full-time role there before moving to the Glen Rock office and eventually to the New Freedom Far Hills facility.

Her duties over the years included greeting guests at the front desk, scheduling meetings, overseeing finances, and reporting Food Stamps, Rep-Payee, and Medical Assistance for the people who Penn-Mar supports.

She loved the interactions with this special group and saw them often when they passed through the lobby at Maryland Line and headed to the Workshop area at the former 10671 Glen Rock facility. Her move to a different office building in Glen Rock was “a tough one” because the people Penn-Mar supports remained in the 10671 building.

Doris poses with one of the people Penn-Mar supports, Brenda.

“If I was having a particularly rough day, I would just walk across the driveway for an attitude adjustment, because within seconds of opening the door I was being greeted by all these amazing people Penn-Mar supports who I sorely missed.”

Doris described her final move to the Far Hills location as “awesome” because all the people Penn-Mar supports were already there. “I was finally blessed with their presence once again,” she said.

After 27 years with an organization, Doris has more memories than she could ever recount, but there is one unusual tradition she shared with former Penn-Mar CEO Keith Peterson and his secretary, the late Judy Bobby, that she couldn’t resist telling.

It all started when Doris pulled out the drawer of the copier machine, and to her horror, found a mouse nest inside. Keith immortalized the incident by often surprising the women with traps, rubber rats, and mice strategically left on their desk chairs and in drawers. The ladies responded in kind by placing plastic pellets on Keith’s desk to mimic mouse droppings. Not surprisingly, when Keith attended Doris’ retirement party at Penn-Mar on April 25th, he came bearing a gift — a box with a rubber rat inside!

“I saw a lot of changes over the years I worked at Penn-Mar,” said Doris. “But we were always like a small family. Their values were as important to me as their mission. No matter who you were, they treated you with such respect. They see your potential and motivate everyone to be successful and enthusiastic about their work. From Penn-Mar, I learned patience and kindness.”

“From the people they support, I learned more than I could ever have taught. I grew up with a sister who has Down syndrome and it is amazing what Penn-Mar did for her and others with [intellectual and developmental disabilities] IDD — they give them a place where they can succeed and thrive.”

Doris will always love and miss everyone at Penn-Mar. “I’m a big hugger,” she confessed. “But in retirement, I will have to settle for sending everyone SMILES, my signature sign-off when I was working there. The organization has been a blessing to both my personal and professional life.”

And, might we add, Doris’ time at Penn-Mar was a blessing to everyone who had the pleasure of knowing and working with her.

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Celebrating My Brother Michael’s Birthday

nvenn — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 18:24:59 +0000

By Annie Pitts-Smith, Penn-Mar Sibling & Supporter

We marked our brother Michael’s 47th birthday!

Mike was born with some acute and complex diagnoses. Honestly, his medical chart and diagnoses don’t define who he is to us. The profound beauty he has brought to this world is nothing short of magical.

Michael is what experts used to define as “non-verbal,” but he’s anything but. He has sounds that tell us what he means, looks that tell us he loves us and is happy to be together, and he smells our hair and skin in a way that has always felt to me he was taking in our time together to take back to his home. He has grasps of hands at different intensities, leg movements that show us when he is ready to get up and walk, signs for “want,” and different types of walks that show his excitement or loathe for making him get up.

Michael is ours and we are his. We never thought he would live to be 30, let alone 47 and have a quality of life that he quite literally loves. His nurses and care team (FAMILY) at Penn-Mar Human Services, Carroll Hospital, and Johns Hopkins Hospital are incredible. Life has been bumpy along the way with medical challenges, falls, seizures, feeding tube issues, infections, and more. The advocacy of my parents was exhausting for them, but they never stopped fighting for Michael’s rights, knowing that he deserved to live the highest quality of life possible with the best support possible. It felt never ending at times; the hospital stays, the terrifying moments where we thought “is this one it?”. But he always manages to pull through in a miracle moment – of course with great medical staff, advocacy, and care – but also sometimes with just purely a miracle.

Michael is the one who changed the fibers of our family. The foundation of my sister Beth and me, our children, our family members, our parents, and how we see the world, is different.

Happy 47th birthday to our guy whose eyes and spirit bring joy and happiness. He knows how to show love and joy – in this world today, we are blessed for our gift that is Michael.

Much love, brother, to the moon and back.

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