Real People, Real Change
Behind every program is a person. These are the stories of individuals whose lives changed when the right support arrived at the right time. We share them with gratitude and deep respect.
01
Sonja is one of the kindest, most warm-hearted individuals our agency has ever had the privilege to serve. She lives in Maryland and volunteers in her building's recreation room, where she enjoys meeting people every day. She participates in karaoke events and has performed for appreciative audiences. BLH helped her access PERS and DMS services, keeping her safe in the community and connected to the health services she needs.
02
A residential injury left Charles in a nursing facility and without stable housing. His Resource Coordinator located suitable housing and visited the property on his behalf to make sure it was the right fit. Since enrolling in the program, Charles has had the resources he needs to maintain an active, engaged life in his community.
03
Annie lives in an Assisted Living Center in Maryland. She is quiet at first, but those who know her describe her as "very friendly and funny." Through the Community Options Waiver Program, she is able to spend time with her family every day. When asked what she values most about the program, her answer was simple: the freedom to be with the people she loves.
Evelyn has worked with BLH for many years and stays actively involved in her high school graduating class. She attends church regularly and visits family in Virginia. After bilateral knee replacement surgery for osteoarthritis, she received a walker, cane, personal assistance, home-delivered meals, and a personal emergency response system. She has since regained her full independence and continues to exceed everyone's expectations.
Connie loves nature and brings a positive spirit to everything she does. After a severe car accident left her with partial paralysis, brain damage, and seizures, she reached out for support. Her Support Planner helped obtain seizure-detection devices and wheelchair access. She is not completely independent, but she now feels safe in her own home — and that peace of mind has made all the difference.
Yousuf loves sports and lives at home with his family. He has Angelman Syndrome with seizures and intellectual disabilities, and is non-verbal. Enrolled in the Community First Choice waiver program since summer 2017, he receives 20 hours of personal assistance each week. His family had concerns at the start, but they found a trusted caregiver who has become, in their own words, "part of the family."
Community Initiatives