Welcome to 2023!
Here at The Freedom Center, we are excited for this year to come. We are kicking off the year with an open house at our new offices, see information below and don’t forget to RSVP for the event. Read on to learn about our Employment Services, Freedom Train program, and our expanded Community Lending Library.
Interested in being part of The Freedom Center team? Have you considered serving as a member of our Board of Directors? The Board meets 6 times per year and in addition to providing organizational oversight, works to further our mission to provide services and supports to empower people with disabilities to lead self-directed, independent, and productive lives in a barrier-free community. If this resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you. Email me directly at ddrezner@thefreedomcenter-md.org or call my direct line, 301-447-0164
Happy New Year,
Dave
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Open House Celebration
WHEN: Friday, January 20, 2023, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm
WHERE: The NEW Freedom Center Office
1890 North Market Street, Suite 203, Frederick, MD 21701
RSVP
We’re having an Open House! We’ve been spending the past month or so setting up our new office and we’d love to have you come and see it. Come meet our staff, enjoy light refreshments, and learn about our programs and services. We can’t wait to see you!
Be sure to RSVP for the Open House here.
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We're Hiring!
The Freedom Center is hiring. We are looking for a full time Peer Specialist. The Peer Specialist position is critical to helping people transition out of nursing facilities back into community living. The main focus of the Peer Specialist is visiting the local nursing facilities in Carroll and Frederick Counties, meeting with residents, and providing information on the programs and services that can help someone transition back into the community. Click here to read the Peer Specialist job description. If this sounds like you, give us a call or send us an email at advocate@thefreedomcenter-md.org If you have a resume, feel free to attach it to the email.
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Coming Up on Freedom Train
NEW DATE! Monday, January 23 at 2:00 pm
SPEAKER: Ms. Ashley M. Biggs
Marketing & Outreach Librarian
Maryland State Library for the Blind & Print Disabled
This month's Freedom Train has been moved to Monday, January 23 in recognition of Martin Luther Kind, Jr. Day. Join Ms. Ashley M. Biggs, Marketing & Outreach Librarian of the Maryland State Library for the Blind & Print Disabled, to hear about their programs and public resources.
Register for the Freedom Train on January 23.
February's Freedom Train has also been moved to Monday, February 27 at 2:00 pm in observance of President's Day.
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Ready, Set, Work!!!
You may be thinking, "I cannot work and transition off my benefits." Or perhaps you may be thinking, "What if I lose my other state and local benefits?" The answer may surprise you! The Freedom Center is an Employment Network (EN), which means we offer benefits counseling through the Ticket to Work program. The EN is an entity that enters into an agreement with the Social Security Administration (Social Security) to either provide or coordinate the delivery of services to Social Security disability beneficiaries. And the Ticket to Work program offers Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities the choices, opportunities, and supports needed to find and keep employment, increase their earnings, and reduce their dependence on benefit payments. It is free and voluntary for eligible individuals (Ticketholders) ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits due to a disability. The program's goal is to ensure that Ticketholders have access to vocational rehabilitation, employment, and other support services from public and private providers and other organizations. Lastly, benefits counseling is a free service to explain how working will affect your federal and state benefits, including SSDI and SSI, Housing assistance, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/food stamps.
Contact us today at 301-846-7811 or advocate@thefreedomcenter-md.org to learn more!
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MLK Day of Service 2023
Frostburg State University, AmeriCorps, The Frederick County Commission on Disabilities, and others are hosting a Day of Service in recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
The 2023 MLK Day of Service will be from 1:00 to 3:00 pm and at The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints, 199 North Place, Frederick MD.
They will be working on completing community based projects for all ages including making pillows, blankets, kindness rocks, kindness wall art, book marks and other craft related items to be shared throughout the communities they serve.
Register for the MLK Day of Service.
If you have any questions please contact Lisa Clark at lclark@frostburg.edu.
Funded in part by AmeriCorps and the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism.
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In the Assistive Technology Lending Library
GRIP Solutions Grip Lap Board
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The GRIP™ Lap Board by GRIP™ Solutions is a unique, durable way to transport a variety of daily items. The rigid, non-slip board fits comfortably in your lap while sitting in a wheelchair or on the couch, or even on the seat of a rollator. The GRIP™ Lap Board is also light enough to be carried with one hand while using a cane or other walking aid. Transporting hot meals, laptops and tablets, or other items you use on a daily basis is a breeze.
Learn more about the GRIP™ Lap Board by and all of our AT devices on our website, or contact our AT Specialist, Pauletta Sheppard, at psheppard@thefreedomcenter-md.org or 301-846-7811 for assistance.
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The Freedom Center is a nonprofit organization committed to providing a wide array of services to assist individuals with disabilities to live independently. Our mission is to offer services and supports to empower people with disabilities to lead self-directed, independent, and productive lives in a barrier-free community.
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