Spotlight
Annual Report 2010
Governor Martin O’Malley Declares November 8, Center for Social Change Day!
Awarding the proclamation signed by Governor O’Malley, Catherine A. Raggio, Secretary of Disabilities on Maryland Commission of Disabilities, spoke at the Open House celebrations held on November 8 at the CSC corporate headquarters stating, “I want to congratulate Dr. Joseph Mathew, the board of directors, the individuals, their families and the entire dedicated staff of the Center for Social Change on your 15 years of service to individuals with developmental disabilities. I want to congratulate and commend you all for the energy and enthusiasm you have put in to meaningfully engaging the people you serve.”
Secretary Raggio was all praise for the recent sports day organized by CSC for their individuals. “Thank you for bringing joy to the people’s lives through sports day and thank you for your service to people with various disabilities,” she said.
Phyllis Madachy, Administrator, Department of Citizen Services, Office of Aging representing Howard County Executive, Ken Ulman, reflecting on the mission of the center-“We Change Lives” said, “ The County Executive and the Howard County government is all about change, and all about improvement, and what has been demonstrated here over the past 15 years, is the power of that vision. Clearly, it has been a vision that has exhibited and touched families and individuals that have come to the center for social change.”
Addressing a packed auditorium, Dr. Joseph Mathew, CEO and Founder of the Center for Social Change welcomed the individuals, families and dignitaries. Articulating the theme of change which captured the imagination and changed the very social ethos of this country recently, Dr. Mathew said, “We recently elected a President which will go down in the annals of history as a defining moment. The ideology which inspired me was the “ideology of change.” Fifteen years ago, we embraced the same concept of change and today we are as committed as in the past in changing lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. Today, it gives me great pride to mention that we too had a defining moment in the disability movement in the US, 15 years back.”
Sports Day
The Open house event featured other dignitaries which included Ms. Brigitte Kobenan, Miss World Congeniality 2008, a social activist and an ardent supporter of CSC.
A notable feature of the open house was the inauguration of a spanking new “Green House,” which is to become an integral part of CSC’s Supported Employment Program for people with disabilities. The Green House was inaugurated by Michael Taylor, an individual who has been successfully rehabilitated by CSC.
Michael Taylor also handed out awards to many individuals besides declaring Charles Hoffman, an individual who was recently placed in CSC’s residential program as Sportsperson of the year.
Sports Day
A cultural program was the highlight of the evening with performances by the Girl Scout Chorus of Central Maryland, The American Sign language Club, Ajnin Precision from UMBC and Dance Express. The “Bird,” mascot of the Orioles moved around the auditorium and had the individuals and their families in splits. A great attraction was the presence from the Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders
Site by Center for Social Change USA | © 2009 all rights reserved