The League for People with Disabilities

CLUB1111 is tonight and we are so excited to sip mocktails and dance with our friends! As a reminder, September's event is SOLD OUT - if you did not get tickets or register beforehand, we look forward to seeing you in October! To make a small recurring donation of $11.11, join our G.E.M. Club and support music, dancing, snacks, connection, and so much more!

In honor and remembrance of the victims and first responders from that world-shattering day. #NeverForget

August was all about giving back! From our amazing BGE volunteers stuffing backpacks for our Youth Autism Services program to a successful blood drive with The American Red Cross, and ending with a fun Back to School Jam where the backpacks found their new homes. Thank you to everyone who made it possible!

Did you know that September is Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month? You can learn more about support and advocacy here: https://buff.ly/3DccFq6 #SCIAwareness

Happy Labor Day from The League! As a reminder, programming is closed in observance of the holiday.

Like many of our League participants and staff members, community members can achieve their health and fitness goals at The Wellness Center. 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. 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. #LeagueLegacy

The League is searching for business professionals to unite Baltimore and extend our networks for advancement and inclusion in the community. Through the Business Advisory Committee, The League aims to collaborate and identify potential partnerships with local businesses that would align with our mission. If you are passionate about networking and making meaningful connections on The League's behalf, please reach out to Robyn Dammers at rdammers@leagueforpeople.org to learn more about expectations for this committee.

Congratulations to The League's Director of Development, Robyn Dammers, CFRE, for achieving her Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) CFRE International certification. The League is so fortunate to have Robyn on our Development & Marketing team. Congratulations!

Our Employee Culture Committee organized a fantastic Blood Drive with @americanredcross last Friday. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who donated—you truly went above and beyond! You’ve all got the heart of champions!

Students are always encouraged to participate in our SCALE Aphasia Program because so much of education about aphasia comes from the real-world connections made with individuals benefiting from our services. The following is an excerpt from a Hopkins Pre-Med student's reflection paper at the conclusion of their internship: "I’ve learned so much from my time here. The individual members taught me how knowledgeable and intelligent people with aphasia are. They’ve taught me about African American history, recent scientific discoveries, classic films, and foods from all over the world. They shifted my perspective; I began empathizing with their frustration when they could not effectively communicate their thoughts. This internship has opened my eyes to how frustrated they must be with the outside world undermining their intelligence." To learn more about The League's SCALE Aphasia Program, please visit https://buff.ly/3tYQHrC. To inquire about internship opportunities, please email scale@leagueforpeople.org.