No Talbot County-based nonprofit institution can have better roots than having the legendary local philanthropist Mrs. Alton Jones as a founding benefactor. Blessed with a extremely keen sense of what a real community truly must have, Mrs. Jones saw the need in the mid 1970s for a special campus for those who had intellectual and development disabilities. And with that one unique contribution, the Chesapeake Center on Dover Street was made into reality.
Carrying forward Mrs. Jones’ commitment these days is Chesapeake Center President and CEO Donna Harrison. Inspired as a college student to enter the relatively new profession of vocational training for those with disabilities, Donna is now closing in on three decades of service and currently as its president and CEO.
The Spy talks to Donna about the challenges and opportunities with running the Chesapeake Center as well as how society in growing more and more sensitive to special needs with those with disabilities.
This video is approximately seven minutes in length
The Chesapeake Center Fact Sheet
Chesapeake Center, Inc. was founded in 1967 by a group of concerned parents, desperate to find meaningful opportunities for their adult children with disabilities. The property at 713 Dover Road was donated by Talbot County philanthropist, Mrs. Alton Jones. Local businesses Willow Construction, Duncan Masonry, Tom’s General Services, H.W. Heinsohn, Inc. and Eastern Shore Hospitality were instrumental in the construction and renovation of the buildings on the Dover Road campus.
Chesapeake Center provides Vocational Training through on the job training so employees with disabilities can earn a paycheck for work performed. Some of the participants that attend daily are transported in vans owned by the Center, traveling from Talbot, Caroline, Queen Anne’s and Dorchester counties. Many vocational consumers live in residences owned and operated by Chesapeake Center. Living with 3 to 8 other adults, Group Home residents learn how to take care of themselves and their house. For those who master household skills and can safely live alone, Chesapeake Center offers drop-in Support Services by trained staff.
As a not for profit agency, Chesapeake Center is reimbursed for many of its community-based services by the Maryland Department of Health and Hygiene’s Developmental Disabilities Administration. Eligibility is determined by DDA by contacting the Resource Coordinator from the County Health Department where the applicant resides.
Just under 200 individuals with various disabilities served daily
74% from Talbot County, 13% from Dorchester County, 11% from Caroline County and 2% from Queen Anne’s County
9 Staffed group home serving 40 adults
100 Full time and 25 Part time employees
6 Managers who average 18 years of dedicated service
21 vehicles used to provide transportation for all consumers daily
Our Board of Directors
Seth Beatty
Marianna Breeding
Deborah A. Collison
Carol Francis
Waller S. Hairston
Oscar J. Inkell
Kathleen A. Kurtz
Joan H. McGarry
Willard C. Parker, II, Esq.
Jason C. Price
J. Andrew Smith
Patricia D. Stein
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