Creating jobs and opportunities for people with differing disabilities so they can have a good quality of life.

AROUND
SUMMER 2009

A JOB WELL DONE

USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, at center, praised Melwoods work in building a new organic garden at USDA headquarters, and mingled with the Crossroads participants and Melwood landscape workers after an April 22 Earth Day ceremony.

Melwood Golf Goes Global

With a Swedish winner and global television coverage, the Melwood Prince Georges County Open took its place as a worldwide sporting event.

In This Issue: 2 Letter from CEO 4 Employment 6 Community Services

The tournament provided a tremendous opportunity to highlight Prince Georges County, the state of Maryland, our corporate partners, but most importantly, our host charity, Melwood, to a worldwide audience, said Teo Sodeman, tournament director. Full story, page 3.
The Golf Channels Kay Jennings, third from right, interviews tournament winner Mathias Gronberg as, from left to right, Cathy Spaur, Janice Frey-Angel, John Paul Purssord, County Executive Jack Johnson and Teo Sodeman look on.

A message from the President/CEO

Melwood 5606 Dower House Road Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 (301) 599-8000 www.melwood.org Chairman of the Board of Directors Andrew v. Colevas Principal Colevas Group Vice Chair Reginald Harris Business Executive State Farm Insurance Directors Stanley J. Botts Frank O. Coombs Marty DErasmo Donald Donahue, Jr. Christina Eaglin-Hawthorne Deborah Fischel Mike Keppler Richard Mahan Frank A. Nicolai Dana B. Stebbins Samuel Thompkins President/CEO Janice Frey-Angel, MSW Chief Financial Officer Ronald L. Stubblefield, PhD, CPA, MSW Vice Presidents Ronald Hanley Jonathon Rondeau, MA, CPRP Donald Pollock Editor Jay Thomas Contributors Bryce Chitwood Marisa Cucuzzella Antionette Doublin Ron Farrin Doria Fleisher Mark Rogers Jonathon Rondeau Larry Simmons John Straub Dawn Taft

DELIvERING QUALITy CUSTOMER SERvICE

Melwood Welcomes New Board Members,

SAyS FAREWELL TO OTHERS
elwood welcomes Christina Eaglin-Hawthorne, Deborah Fischel, Donald Donahue, Jr., Mike Keppler and Richard Mahan as newly elected members of its volunteer Board of Directors. Donald Donahue, Jr. of Washington, DC is a member of Melwoods Human Rights Advisory Committee. He brings more than 25 years of healthcare administration and planning experience and more than 30 years of service as a member of the US military.

Dear Friends and Supporters, An organizations success often depends on providing quality services to customers, and Melwood has many different customers. We have been evaluating how to continue providing the high level of service our customers have come to expect while operating in a very difficult economic climate. Simply put, Melwood is focusing on what we do well and collaborating with others to meet our customers expectations. Employing people with disabilities is a hallmark of Melwood, so we are reorganizing our supported employment services to provide greater choice, more skills and flexibility to people. We are also transferring our traditional residential program to similar agencies whose focus is providing housing for people with disabilities. These partnerships are an example of nonprofit organizations working together to provide customers the best possible service. I want to thank our committed board of directors, especially Lou Welker, Jay Kern, George Moore, Robert Moore and David LHeureux, the five members whose terms ended this June. Their commitment to Melwood will ultimately improve the lives of people with disabilities. Thank you all who support Melwood and in so doing, support the integration of people with disabilities in our community. Sincerely,

Our new board members bring energy, expertise and enthusiasm to increase opportunities for people with disabilities in the community, said Melwood President/CEO Janice Frey-Angel.

Christina Eaglin-Hawthorne, of Montgomery County, Maryland directs interactive communications for Childrens National Medical Center in Washington, DC, and brings more than 20 years of experience in broadcast advertising and marketing.

Mike Keppler, of Fairfax County, virginia is a senior executive with Marriott International and brings 25 years of experience in technology use and implementation.

Deborah Fischel, of Arundel County, Maryland has volunteered in the Melwood Garden Center since 2005. Fischel brings more than 25 years of sales and business experience with Procter & Gamble and as co-owner of a chain of animal hospitals.

Richard Mahan, of Howard County, Maryland is an audit principal in Reznick Groups Bethesda office with more than 20 years of experience in public accounting practice and private industry.

Janice Frey-Angel President/CEO

Five members of Melwoods board of directors rotated off the board at the end of their terms in June. From left to right, Jay Kern (15 years), Lou Welker (13 years), Robert Moore (13 years), George Moore (13 years), zand David LHeureux (7 years, not pictured) oversaw a period of tremendous growth in Melwoods community presence, and Melwood is grateful for their contributions. Board chair Andy Colevas at right presented each with a plaque recognizing their service at the June board meeting.

Summer 2009

MELWOOD

employment
MELWOOD WORKERS

improving access

THROUGH EMPLOyMENT

By Jonathon Rondeau, MA, CPRP

TO A LONGTIME FRIEND
Terry Neveleff, a longtime Melwood worker, passed away June 8 after completing his days work. He was 56. Terry worked at many contract sites, including Goddard Space Flight Center, National Records Center, Best Western Inn and Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. In his spare time, Terry enjoyed bowling and watching professional sports. While he was still young, Terrys parents helped found Melwood in 1963 as members of the Arc of Prince Georges County. Terry was one of the first special education graduates to earn a diploma from the area school system, and he came to Melwood to work right after he graduated, said his mother, Lora Neveleff. We will remember Terry for his constant smile and consistently positive approach to life and his job, said John Straub, a long-time supervisor. We can all learn a lot from his outlook on life.
Memorial contributions in Terrys name can be made to Melwood Fund Development, 5606 Dower House Road, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, 20772, or can be made online at http://www.melwood.org/youcanhelp/

goodbye

support earth day at USDA

Working for days in the rain and mud to finish a job with a short timeframe, Melwood landscape workers helped the US Department of Agriculture build a new organic garden at USDA headquarters in Washington, DC. It rained a lot and was muddy, but were used to it and did a good job, said Slater Keys, a Melwood landscape worker. Introduced on Earth Day and called the Peoples Garden, the project is the beginning of a three year plan to transform six acres around the USDA building into functioning vegetable gardens. The gardens will serve as educational tools for school and community groups and local food banks will receive the vegetables produced.

People with disabilities have looked to Melwood for independence through employment since its founding. Melwood provides two avenues to employment, as an employer through the AbilityOne Program, and by supporting individuals in other employment settings. Melwood recently centralized its supported employment services under one program, Employee Support Services. Individuals will work either in a community-based business or in a Melwood enterprise and receive unbiased supports toward their employment goals. This change allows for greater flexibility and support for changes in ones life, and helps us continuously improve our services and better face economic challenges. Our goal is to provide the supports each person needs where they choose to work, by learning how each individual makes choices, providing opportunities to explore jobs and offering quality services to keep individuals employed. Employee Support Services will serve the same number of people in the most integrated employment settings and be more efficient than the previous structure. Continued on page 6

Community Living Transition

By Antionette Doublin Melwood recently completed a major change in its services for people with disabilities with the transfer of its residential homes to other agencies. Through this transition, Melwood gained four new agency partners in the social services field and developed many long-lasting relationships that will ultimately improve the lives of people with disabilities. For years, vehicle donations helped to support programs such as Community Living. As fewer cars were donated over the past few years and the economy contracted, it became important to undertake this transition. Enabling the 70 individuals in the Community Living Program to make informed choices was critical to the success of this transition. Each person decided to live where and with whom they wanted, and chose which residential provider would operate their home. The individuals, advocates, and families were given information about each agency to help their decision-making process. Melwoods partner agencies (The Arc of Prince Georges County, Ardmore Enterprises, Spring Dell Center and vOCA) visited each home to Continued on page 6

USDA volunteer Marian Romero looks on as Melwood employees Slater Keys and Juan Hernandez prepare a raised vegetable garden for USDAs April 22 Earth Day celebration.

Excellent Services at Goddard Space Flight Center

The work of Melwood employee James Hill so impressed one employee of Goddard Space Flight Center that he sent the following message to Melwood President/CEO Janice Frey-Angel.

WELL DONE
The high-quality work of people with disabilities was fully visible during Commissioning Week at the US Naval Academy in May. Afterwards, Captain Donald B. Campbell, USN sent the following letter to Melwood.

a job

Date: Wed, 10 June 2009 14:12:59 -0500 Subject: Outstanding Service Ms. Frey-Angel, I would like express my thanks to Melwood for the excellent services that we receive in the Bldg 5Advanced Manufacturing Shop at Goddard Space Flight Center. James Hill is our Melwood technician and is one of the hardest working individuals that I have ever worked with. He always has a positive attitude and a can-do response. James does extra janitorial duties whenever we request, as well as maintaining our areas every day. He always greets each of us with a smile and a big Good Morning. He is a friend to all of us here and a great representative for Melwood. Thanks again for the excellent service, Ron Ron Fellers Advanced Manufacturing Lead Technician Jackson and Tull NASA/GSFC

On a Roll
Jamell Taylor has earned stellar reviews for his work as a Melwood employee at the Washington Navy Yard. In the past three months, his supervisor has received five Commendation letters for his outstanding work performance, upbeat attitude and overall customer service. Denise Robinson wrote one letter and says Jamell is very polite and upbeat and takes great pride in maintaining his assigned locations. About the recognition for his work, Jamell says, I feel proud knowing Im doing a good job.

Assistant Project Manager Mary Epps and supervisor Jessie Brown help Jamell Taylor display the five Commendations letter he received in the past three months.

Summer 2009

COMMUNITy

international counselors

services

Prince Georges County Open

When Mathias Gronberg of Sweden sank his final putt June 7 to score a tournament record 269, he did so before a worldwide television audience. To a round of applause at the award ceremony, Gronberg told the crowd, It was a very special day for me that I will remember forever. I want to thank Melwood. There might be a check in the future from me! The third annual Melwood Prince Georges County Open became one of only 16 PGA Nationwide Tour events to be televised each year on the Golf Channel. We are excited that Mathias is so attuned to our mission, said Janice Frey-Angel, Melwood President/CEO, and we want to thank Prince Georges County, the State of Maryland and all the corporate sponsors, volunteers and spectators who supported this event and in doing so, support opportunities for people with disabilities. Planning for the 2010 event is already underway. The 2010 tournament will welcome 156 professional golfers to the Country Club at Woodmore in Mitchellville, Maryland, where they will compete for a share of a $700,000 purse, with $126,000 going to the champion. For sponsorship and volunteer information, visit the tournament website at www.melwoodgolf.org or contact the tournament office at (301) 599-2732.
A young golf fan reacts after receiving a tournament glove from a competitor on Saturday afternoon.

M E LW O O D

BRING NEW ExPERIENCES TO CAMPERS

Melwood Recreation Center is home to Kamp A-Kom-Plish, an overnight summer camp that values and celebrates individual differences to create a diverse, strong and connected community. Campers have the chance to experience new activities and find new friends. Oftentimes, our staff shares in this same opportunity. Many international staff work at the Recreation Center during the summer months. The presence of these hard-working staff alongside our campers strengthens the camp community. Whether a staff member is from Ireland, Hungary, England or Columbia, there is a common excitement and desire to immerse themselves in the culture of America. These staff bring a desire to experience an American Campto interact with American youthand experience what it is like to live in the United States. The international staff live in our community, enjoy our sites, sample our food, mentor our youth and experience Americas diverse culture. In turn, each camper interacts with and learn from young adults who bring unique and different life experiences to camp. A child who may struggle to speak can relate to the counselor searching for the correct translated word. Campers who feel homesick can take comfort knowing that their counselor may share that emotion. Regardless of age, background, status or ability level, everyone can appreciate a community that brings many cultures together and celebrates individuals differences in an inclusive environment. Bryce Chitwood, Marisa Cucuzzella and Doria Fleisher contributed to this article.

Campers A'Mir and Khrystan go canoeing with camp counselor David Hedley of Northern Ireland.

Community Living Transition

Continued from page 5 introduce themselves and answer questions from the residents. To ensure continuity in the lives of the housemates, the partner agencies hired many of Melwoods Community Living staff. About 80% of Melwood staff went with their house to the new agency selected by the housemates. This is important, as the individuals who receive Community Living services need consistency in their lives. While this transition marks the end of Community Living at Melwood, it signals a new era of partnership between Melwood and fellow agencies, dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities.

improving access
Continued from page 5

THROUGH EMPLOyMENT
Economic realities have accelerated this reorganization. For many years, vehicle donations supplemented programs such as supported employment, but we needed to streamline our programs. While 176 program participants are employed in the community or within a Melwood business, 44 are now unemployed. To assist those individuals gain new skills and eventual employment, a transitional program has been developed to provide job exploration and enhance work experiences. That program will enable people to have greater control over their employment options with more job satisfaction, mobility and community integration. We have discovered that many individuals want to increase their work hours and explore new types of work. We also recognize the value individuals place on established relationships and the challenges that change brings. Many have also been successful, demonstrating that employment is a path to independence and increasing ones self-esteem. We are optimistic that as a team, we can help everyone in Employment Support Services develop and realize their employment goals.

view tournament video clips online at www.youtube.com/MelwoodNews!

melwood

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Sandra Beeler and Catherine Brawner are escorted into the Transitions Ball April 17. The formal event celebrated the many years of association between residents and staff in Community Living.

Donors have given used cars, trucks and boats to Melwood since the mid-1990s. During that time, Melwood built a system to handle all the paperwork and call center requirements. Now, Melwood offers its management services to fellow non-profits that want to accept donated cars but lack the administrative resources. Melwood has entered into agreements with national organizations like The Arc, UCP, AMBUCS, as well as other local and regional groups. For more information on how Melwood can help your organization, contact Ron Farrin, Call Center Operations Director at [email protected] or (301) 856-6340.

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MELWOOD

a story of empowerment
The New Book by Earl Copus, Jr. with Marian Calabro is on sale now.
This book should be required reading for every person who has a loved one with developmental disabilities. You will identify with and cheer the wonderful people stories.
- Lorraine Sheehan, Former President of The Arc of the United States

us achieve this goal is by designating Melwood through the United Way or Combined Federal Campaign, which will begin later this fall. Melwoods designation numbers are listed below. United Way of the National Capital Area 8148 Combined Federal Campaign 21166 Maryland Combined Charities 3460 Combined virginia Campaign 8251

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Contributions to Melwood help individuals with disabilities to earn their way. Each year, Melwood provides employment, support services and recreation for more than 1,600 people with disabilities. To find out how you can help, call (301) 599-8000 or visit www.melwood.org.
5606 Dower House Road Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 (301) 599-8000 www.melwood.org