For the second consecutive year, Chimes awarded a grant from the Safeway Foundation to enhance our programs! The grant in the amount of $7,500 will fund new creative therapies and learning activities along with the purchase of 10 new tablet computers, which will enhance Chimes’ ability to safely coordinate community-based outings and events for persons served. “We are grateful for Safeway’s commitment to supporting their community with these grants designed to make a difference,” said Kevin Drumheller, Chief Operating Officer for Chimes Maryland. “This specialized funding is greatly needed to support the activities of the people we serve in our various programs; I want to thank Safeway for this important support.” Experiential learning opportunities for people with disabilities are a vital, yet underfunded component of the services Chimes provides. The grant will help fund activities like trips to the aquarium, fitness classes, museum passes, trips to local parks and more. In addition, the grant will help fund various types of creative therapies that are vital to fostering independence and fulfillment. New musical instruments, art supplies and sports equipment will be purchased and incorporated into Chimes’ programming thanks to the Safeway Foundation grant. The grant will also fund the purchase and maintenance of 10 password-protected tablet computers that will be used by Chimes case managers to securely and efficiently store, transport and access vital information for each person served when they are taking part in community based activities, including employment, volunteering, social events or special trips. The tablets will also be utilized by people Chimes serves who lack the ability to communicate verbally. The touch screens on the tablets will be equipped with signs and symbols and a voice output function that will allow the people Chimes serves to better communicate with staff and when out in the community.

Chimes provides training and employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through multiple federal and state contracts, we employ over 1,600 people at sites in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina and the District of Columbia. Dozens of businesses, government agencies and nonprofits have hired people with disabilities securing reliable employees while working with Chimes. We capitalize on what people can do and have consistently demonstrated that persons with severe disabilities can be highly productive citizens when given the opportunity. Each person is unique and we work with them as long as it takes through job coaching, on site training, and supervision to ensure their success. We partner with companies like Maryland College of Art, Staples, Wawa and BWI to craft a solution unique for each person. Our Director of Day Programs David Black says, “We have a modality that we can work with people. We will be successful. That person will be successful. “ Brian Alberti is one of those people who has found success through working with Chimes. Brian has been an employee at Wawa for 5 years. Brian is a hard worker and valued by his manager and coworkers. He loves the feeling of being a part of the Wawa team and making his own money. At Chimes, we continue to rely on donations to fund services like these that help people with disabilities live empowered and enriched lives. You can help create more success stories like Brian’s. Learn more about the different ways you can support Chimes here. Watch this video to learn more about Brian’s story. https://vimeo.com/297170336/22a1a6072c