The League for People with Disabilities is committed to offering individuals the opportunity to gain independence, to increase self-sufficiency, and to improve the quality of life. | |
My League Story, The Wellness Center: Leroy | |
August is National Wellness Month! With the recent addition of new land aerobic classes, The League is dedicated to serving its more than 800 members with fun and productive opportunities to optimize their health. Almost a decade ago, a very close friend introduced Leroy to The Wellness Center at The League. With an accessible parking lot, variety of equipment, and abundance of encouraging energy available, he has not stepped foot in another gym since. Leroy starts with the exercise bike and takes his time with each of the machines to maximize the benefits of his workouts. | Born and raised in a loving household, Leroy loves his family and hometown of Baltimore. He maintains that you should treat your neighbors in the same manner that you wish to be treated and conducts himself with respect, empathy, and compassion "because you never know what another person might be going through." At The Wellness Center, Leroy enjoys the positivity from the staff and his fellow members. Everyone there is on their own personal wellness journey and Leroy is grateful to share the space with some truly incredible individuals. | |
According to Leroy, a person’s health can be humbling. Whether there is a young man in a wheelchair lifting weights, a retired woman attending a water aerobics class, or a 57-year-old man easing his way back into his fitness routine after a hernia surgery, each individual in The Wellness Center is working hard to extend and improve the quality of his or her life. | "As I get older, the reality of my younger years is setting in. I have learned to recognize the humanity in people and situations." | A wellness journey is vital for everyone and while there are many places to go to exercise, The League’s Wellness Center offers a helpful, positive, and patient atmosphere with so many great assets that make it superior as a wholistic wellness experience. Leroy admits that with age, he may walk a little slower but it is important that he is still looking forward and has a support system of “perfectly imperfect people” to motivate him. Together, we are able to encourage others to be the best version of themselves. | |
In addition to community members, League employees and participants from all twelve programs have access to The Wellness Center. | |
Summer Program Highlights | |
SCALE Members Celebrate in the Garden! | |
Adult Medical Day Goes to Prom! | |
Campers Travel to Great Wolf Lodge & Busch Gardens! | |
Participants Meet The Ravens! | |
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Recurring giving is one of the simplest ways to stay engaged with The League. If you join the GEM (Give Every Month) Club, not only will you be continuously supporting social interaction, skill-building, and advocacy efforts for individuals with disabilities, but you will also receive exclusive League news updates and opportunities for interaction with the adults and youth that we support. For $20 a month, you can help cover the cost of fuel for transporting youth and adults with disabilities to community sites and cultural institutions.
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The League is an Employer of Choice! | |
Aloha from The Employee Culture Committee! | |
The League’s Employee Culture Committee coordinated a Summer Luau to celebrate our incredible staff members with raffle prizes, outdoor games, music, authentic Hawaiian cuisine, and a Photo Booth. Everyone had a wonderful afternoon connecting and enjoying a tropical treat from the Kona Ice Truck! The League values our dedicated staff members, and is proud of our Employer of Choice initiative. | |
Congratulations to Vickey! | |
On July 11th, Vickey M. celebrated her 14th "Workaversary" with The League! From helping The League start up a new Community Development Service, to hopping around the building as the Easter Bunny, to organizing delicious cookouts and parties, to keeping the lyrics queued up for afternoon karaoke, to being there for the participants and families that we serve, Vickey's passion for her work makes The League an amazing place to be and we are so grateful for her years of compassion and dedication! | |
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For their second corporate volunteer day at The League, the amazing staff at Emergent Biosolutions made Adult Medical Day’s Water Day a huge success! On July 18th, a large group of Emergent volunteers assisted with fishing games, boat races, water gun target practice, aqua crafts, and more!
Corporate partnerships are important to the vitality of our programs because they enable our staff to produce large-scale events and activities for the participants. If your company is interested in volunteering at The League, please reach out to Kait Wieler, Volunteer Coordinator, at kwieler@leagueforpeople.org.
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Storefront Summer Essentials | | |
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Before summer winds down and school starts back up, grab your Short Sleeve Tri-blend Tee for $14. You will be prompted to set up a username and password to access the Storefront and can have your purchases mailed directly to you or shipped to The League’s main campus at Cold Spring Lane for pick up for no additional cost. It is minty, soft, and the perfect conversation starter for anyone wanting to learn more about The League! | |
A Concluding Note from Our President & CEO | |
Dear Friends of The League, | |
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At the risk of sounding cliché, I have to confirm that time sure flies when you’re having fun! May, June, and July were packed with so many fun and exciting engagement activities that I cannot believe it is already August. League staff and participants have been optimizing their summer experiences together through increased creative classes, field trips, celebrations, and community services. Rising in-person attendance is filling our campus and garden space with singers, dancers, horticulturalists, artists, poets, storytellers, athletes, swimmers, chefs, job seekers, volunteers, and more!
Despite the recent heat wave, The League continues to be one of the coolest places to be in Baltimore. We work hard so that we can play hard (another cliché) and make a difference together in the Greater Baltimore Area, and beyond. For 96 years, The League has been improving the quality of life for youth and adults of all abilities. Thank you for your support of our mission and commitment to providing opportunities for independence, self-sufficiency, and connection!
Speaking of connection, I would love to see you this Saturday, 8/12 at CLUB1111 where the DJs spin the hottest dance tracks, the snacks are plentiful, and the spa treatment is just what the doctor ordered (I am on a roll with these clichés!). Join us to witness Maryland’s first nightclub for adults with disabilities in action from 5-9PM; you’ll fall head over heels in love (okay, I’m done with the clichés now!)! Until next time!
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David A. Greenberg
President & CEO
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The League Fund Campaign raised funds 12% higher than budgeted and 17% ahead of last year's funds.
Thank you for your continuous support of The League's programs and mission!
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Your gift to The League Fund allows The League to continue providing important services in our community.
Together, we are able.
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You can also mail a check made payable to
“The League for People with Disabilities” to:
The League, c/o The League Fund
1111 E. Cold Spring Lane
Baltimore, MD 21239
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THE LEAGUE'S 2023-2024 BOARD of DIRECTORS
Mindy Geppi, Chair • Nicole Urquhart-Bradley, Immediate Past Chair • Barry Gordon, M.D., Ph.D, Vice Chair
Ethan Nochumowitz, Treasurer • Jason Perlow, Secretary
Carol Dodson • James Hettleman • Ashley Ingraham Watts • Janice Jackson • Kris Meyer
Oyebukola Oyediran, M.D. • Terri Seitz Parrish • Andrew Slutkin • Andrew Snyder • Chris Zegal
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THE LEAGUE'S EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM
David A. Greenberg, President & CEO
Renée Dash, VP, Medical Programs/Chief Nursing Officer
Maureen Jeffreys, VP, Community Programs • Michelle Johnson, VP, Youth & Recreation Programs
Rhonda Johnson, VP, Facility Operations • Margretta Ryan, VP, Finance
Dawn Witherspoon, VP, HR & Compliance • Lauren Yankolonis, VP, Development & Marketing
| For more information, you can visit our website at www.leagueforpeople.org. | |
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