Through its residential program and senior day services, CALMRA helps individuals with disabilities live more independent and fulfilling lives. Giant Food has supported this nonprofit organization through its Community Bag Program.
Tell us about CALMRA.
Our mission is to improve the lives of people with cognitive disabilities by providing high-quality support services in an ethical and loving environment. CALMRA was formed in 1982 by a group of parents of adult children with disabilities. These parents began wondering what would happen to their kids when they were gone. For many years, they met in the basement of the First United Methodist Church.
When I was hired 33 years ago, we started implementing their vision of a loving, caring home for adults with disabilities. We always knew we wanted to limit our growth to maintain the quality of our services. Our goal was to operate 15 homes and stop there.
Today, we have a senior center and 16 homes in Prince George’s County and Montgomery County. The senior center is located in Laurel and serves people with age-related disabilities who are 52 years old and over. Some of the folks who have Down syndrome develop Alzheimer’s disease very early, so this program offers services to them.
What services do you provide to the community?
Each home we have serves a maximum of three people at a time. Our philosophy is that most adults who are not related do not live with more than three people in one home. We also have a live-in staff model in addition to staff who come in and out. All houses have overnight staff.
We serve people with severe disabilities and medical issues that many other agencies don’t. We also offer person-centered planning. For example, at the senior center, people are able to choose to stay in or enter the community. For the most part, the group is on the go, visiting museums, stores, parks, and movies.
We serve people with severe disabilities and medical issues that many other agencies don’t.
What sets CALMRA apart from other nonprofits in your community?
We are one of the few organizations that still uses a live-in staff model. While other staff may come and go, people can rely on one staff member to be there in their home. Our model provides consistency to our residents and helps staff get to know them and their needs better. When residents are nonverbal or have really specific medical needs, it’s important that staff know their likes and dislikes. Our live-in staff help residents live the way they want to.
Our model provides consistency to our residents and helps staff get to know them and their needs better.
Tell us a story that illustrates the good work of your organization.
We had a home in Prince George’s County that needed their bathroom renovated for wheelchairs. The county council had a grant program, and everyone was expecting me to go down and testify on why the renovations were necessary. I said, “I’m not going to testify. I’m going to send one of the residents to ask them directly.”
The resident testified, and we got the funds. She did great, and I was very proud of her. When improving our services, we always like to partner with the residents. Ultimately, it is their home, not ours.
What is your most outstanding achievement or contribution to the community?
We have a Standard of Excellence certification through Maryland Nonprofits. This certification shows people who donate that their money goes where it should. We are on our fourth certification. The first time you get certified, it lasts for a year or two. After that, the certification lasts for five years. Our work consistently meets these standards, showing people we are a viable charity.
We are good neighbors. We take care of our houses and want to know the people around us. We always have open houses to show neighbors what we’re doing. Their support makes people feel fully integrated into the neighborhoods they live in.
What do you want people to know about CALMRA?
CALMRA is a great organization that does wonderful things for the community. We provide great support services for people who need help. We are honest and ethical.
We encourage community and family involvement in our organization. Our board is made up of many laypeople who are part of the community. We also have representation of the people we serve on our board. CALMRA aims to be an inclusive and transparent organization.
We encourage community and family involvement in our organization.
How will you use the funds you’ve received from the Giant Food Community Bag Program?
We like to host social events with these funds. We have events, such as picnics and bingo. For Halloween this year, we organized a trunk-or-treat event. Everyone is welcome to attend our events, including the residents of all 16 houses and people who may not live with us but attend our programs. CALMRA will use the funds from this program to support these activities and events that clearly benefit the people we’re serving.
Interview with Nancy Tolbert, Executive Director
Published November 25, 2024.