AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi
and Lean on Dee Senior Home Care Services
Founded in 1961, to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the independent non-profit known for 62 years as Providence Center has been renamed Providence of Maryland, Inc. and rebranded. In front of the non-profit’s headquarters on Shore Acres Road, a newly created sign was shown off by president and CEO Karen Adams-Gilchrist, Aimee Bullen and Dan Walker. Simple in design, the sign features an attractive logo and the name “Providence”.
Adams-Gilchrist explained that she believes the name change better reflects the non-profit’s goals of helping those it serves live their best lives in their communities throughout Anne Arundel and Charles counties.
Providence Center was created in 1961 to serve the needs of “children” with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 1975, when the Equal Education Law was passed enabling children with developmental disabilities to attend special education classes in public schools, Providence refocused its services to adults. Today it serves nearly 500 individuals at four locations in Anne Arundel County and recently expanded into Charles County where it maintains residential housing for group living support.
“Our biggest concern in rebranding the organization was to drop the word ‘center’ from our name because our work is now based in the community,” Adams-Gilchrist said. “We wanted to send the message that we’re supporting people to live, learn, grow and work in their communities instead of within the four walls of a single building.”
Bullen, vice-president of community relations and development, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that the rebranding focuses attention on Providence’s main goal of “putting people first, helping them be the best they can be”. Many students the organization mentors as they transition from high school to the workplace end up taking jobs or paid internships at Providence headquarters where four large greenhouses are maintained year-round.
Greenhouse manager Rachel Carey oversees vocational training for developmentally challenged students interested in horticultural employment. As the same time, she supervises the planting of seeds and cuttings for environmental restoration projects and for large scale commercial growers working with the Army Corps of Engineers, Dominion Energy, Anne Arundel Community College, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and Maryland Therapeutic Riding among others. Carey gave us a little tour.
She first walked us through the largest greenhouse where we met Patrick Andreoli, Carey’s Assistant General Supervisor Manager who is invaluable in running the greenhouses. A paid staff member, Andreoli is a Providence success story and is still supported by the organization. The light and airy space of the greenhouse was filled with row after row of chrysanthemums being grown for the autumn plant sale. The sale will take place at the same time as Providence’s 8th Annual Harvest Bash fundraiser on Saturday, October 15th at 6 pm. The combination of rustic hued chrysanthemums and thousands of twinkling lights. will provide a beautiful setting for an evening featuring great food and music by the Dan Haas Band.
For those of us who like to support our local farmers and growers, each of the four greenhouses was a joy to see. We appreciated the native plant seedlings and small collection of ornamentals. However, we found the unique collections of plants like Spartina patens, Spartina alterniflora and Andropogon virginius being grown for shoreline restoration projects especially interesting. Providence provides them for shoreline restoration efforts of Anne Arundel Community College, several area riverkeepers and other organizations dedicated to protecting the Chesapeake Bay and our rivers.
The native plants, ornamentals and chrysanthemums were great… 
…..but those shoreline restoration species were particularly interesting.
A substantial number of students gravitate to Providence’s Pottery & Arts studio at 40 Church Road in Arnold. Studio artists create beautiful and unique products for sale that make wonderful gifts. All items from Providence’s Gifts that Give product line are hand-made with the finest materials. Classes are offered at the studio for the general public along with Paint Your Own Pottery parties. To inquire about classes or schedule a paint party, visit Pottery Studio in Anne Arundel County | Providence of Maryland,
According to Bullen and communications manager Dan Walker, many local businesses sell pieces from the Pottery & Arts Studio. They include Side Street Framers & Gift Gallery in Severna Park, Annebeth’s on Maryland Avenue and Old Fox Books in Annapolis and others.
Bullen noted that Providence has been very successful in building individuals’ vocational skills and placing them with local businesses. Career Services director Jessica Holman and her staff are good at helping people determine what they’d like to do, gain the necessary skills and finding partner employers to offer them jobs or paid internships.
“We now have 72 large and small partner employers that include BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, Luminus Health Anne Arundel Medical Center among others,” Walker said. “That means we have a lot of interaction within the community and the individuals we place with partner employers have a lot of interaction within the community.”
A very successful example of someone Providence matched with an employer is Tyler Kirsh. Tyler has been working at the Giant in Severna Park for the past 13 years, with support from Providence Center’s Employment Consultant Cathy Smith.
Cathy Smith enjoys working with Tyler and admires his attitude, attention to detail, creative problem-solving and his enduring work ethic. She said it’s clear he loves his job.
“It feels good to work,” said Tyler. “I don’t want to be sitting home just playing Xbox. I like being outside and talking to the employees and the customers. Just like the weather outside, somedays are better than others. Sometimes I feel tired at the end of the day, but I feel good. I like working; it makes me a better person.’
Adams-Gilchrist likes the changes brought about as a result of rebranding efforts.
“The thing I’m proudest of is that we’ve changed from being caregivers to coaches helping those we serve live their best lives,” she said.
A smaller change relates to transportation. Providence has switched from transporting individuals in large, conspicuous handicap-accessible buses like the one shown below to smaller vehicles that blend into the work environment.
For additional information about Providence of Maryland visit Providence of Maryland | Home .
AAUW Anne Arundel County Branch kicks off annual used book collections
The American Association of University Women Anne Arundel County Branch is seeking good, clean used books for its annual fall used book sale. The organization has announced that members will collect books from 9 am to 12 noon on Saturdays on August 12 and 26, September 9 and 23 and October 14 at the following locations:
St Martin’s in the Field Episcopal Church, 375 Benfield Road in Severna Park (parking lot) Anne Arundel Community College, W. Campus Drive (parking lot off Rt 2) St Phillip’s Episcopal Church, 730 Bestgate Rd, Annapolis (parking lot)
In addition to collecting books at the above sites, members collect books at Estate Sales throughout the year. The Book sale will be held in early November with proceeds supporting scholarships for Anne Arundel County women. For more information see AAUW ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY USED BOOK SALE | Facebook or….. visit http://annearundelcounty-md.aauw.net or awharrison@yahoo.com.
The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center.)
and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.
