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Recently, Senior Pen Pals and More teamed up with Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore to help combat the feeling of loneliness felt by their participants who are not able to attend the adult day programs due to COVID-19. The group brought joy to over 240 participants by writing encouraging letters which were mailed to participants’ homes. The group plans to continue to send letters to additional Easterseals participants.

Like any parent, Jeanne Eskridge, of Townsend, wanted it all for her son, Brian. After graduating from high school and completing a job-training program, Jeanne sought a future for him that would be engaging and challenge him to reach his potential. Easterseals day services for adults with intellectual disabilities coupled with a part-time job has been the solution to meeting his needs and hers.

Caregiving responsibilities can be overwhelming at times but when a caregiver has someone sharing that weight, it does not feel as heavy. Easterseals is proud to come alongside caregivers, like Erika Carlson, who supports her husband, Chuck, with dementia.

Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore recently received the “Cultural Access Award” from Art-Reach of Philadelphia for their Artfulness program. The program brings art to the seniors and people with disabilities who attend Easterseals adult day programs. Throughout the pandemic shutdown, the Artfulness program continued their work virtually and were able to engage a wider audience in all of Easterseals day programs in the state.

Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore has announced the sixth annual “Bill Adami Fund for Innovation” award will be used to fund two projects initiated by Easterseals staff to improve accessibility within the organization. The Bill Adami Fund for Innovation was created in memory of Easterseals late President/CEO, William J. Adami, who passed away in 2013.

Easterseals was out in full force at the rally last week to support HB 104, the Michael McNesby Full Funding for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities. We are asking the State to keep its promise and approve $9 million in state funding as a first-year commitment to fully fund disability services.

When most young adults graduate from high school, they typically know which direction they are going to head, whether it be attending college or jumping right into a job. When Mikayla graduated from high school, she and her mom, Michele, knew exactly where to turn and it was the place where she began many years before -- Easterseals!

Bill Mosley, of Hartly, DE, is blind, has a hearing impairment, and is an amazing advocate! With the help of Easterseals Direct Support Professionals, he learned how to write the alphabet so he could write a letter to his elected officials about issues important to him and other people with disabilities. Senator Tom Carper was so impressed that he stopped into Easterseals Dover adult day program last week to meet Bill and discuss the issues. With the support of his direct care staff and his sister, Bonnie, Bill is creating important awareness about disability issues.

Three fast-thinking staff members have been recognized by the Easterseals’ Region-wide Health and Safety Committee for their heroic action, which contributed to saving the life of one of our participants in our New Castle center.

Participants from the adult day programs at Easterseals in Georgetown will be able to enjoy their time on the green thanks to volunteers from Nickle Electrical Companies who recently brought the mini golf course “up to par” by rebuilding, expanding and painting the course.