HEADLINES

At Humanim, we’re driven by our mission of breaking down barriers and empowering the individuals in our programs to strive for success and live independently. Fulfilling our mission would be impossible without the extraordinary members of the Humanim family that take advantage of every single day to make a positive impact on the organization and community we serve.

To recognize three members of Team Humanim for their outstanding performance and dedication to our mission, we proudly presented the Humanim in Action awards for the second year. This employee recognition program contains three legacy honors named after former Chairs of our Board of Directors – the David Eberhardt Humanity Award, the Chris Eddings Impact Award, and the Kevin Frank Workforce Development Award. The awards celebrate employees who consistently embody our core values, demonstrate excellence in service provision, and exhibit unwavering commitment to those we serve.

Read all about our winners here!

At Humanim, safety is always a priority. During National Safety Month, we put extra focus on creating a safe, healthy environment for everyone in our community. All month long, our Facilities Manager, Candace, hit the road to bring “Safety Stops” to multiple Humanim locations!

These interactive booths offered staff a fun and engaging way to test their knowledge on safety procedures and protocols through trivia and discussions. Team members had the chance to win small prizes and walk away better equipped to keep Humanim secure. 

Each stop featured key insights from the National Safety Council’s 2025 topics: 

• Employee Engagement: Safety starts with you. Speaking up when you see something unsafe helps protect everyone. 
• Continuous Improvement: Regular drills and reviews identify risks and improve practices over time. 
• Wellbeing: Taking care of your mental and physical health is essential to staying safe at work.
• Roadway Safety: Be it driving or walking, staying alert when entering or leaving our premises protects you and those we serve. 

Thanks to Candace and everyone who participated in Safety Stops, we’re continuing to build a culture of awareness, empowerment and protection across all Humanim facilities. Let’s keep Humanim safe and informed!

Meet baker, student, and bundt cake expert – Arianna! Before beginning her junior year at Loch Raven High School, Arianna took advantage of her summer break by advancing her career in Humanim’s summer Work Based Learning Experience (WBLE).

This program for youth ages 14-21 allows participants to work part-time at a site based on their own goals and interests. With her current baking skills up her sleeve and a desire to learn more, Arianna accepted an internship at Nothing Bundt Cakes in Nottingham.

During her assignment at the chain bakery, Arianna conquered new and familiar tasks such as operating a Point of Sales system, greeting and servicing customers, alongside baking and decorating bundt cakes. She also worked shoulder-to-shoulder with the store owner at Pratt Street Market in downtown Baltimore, running a Nothing Bundt Cake stand amongst local food trucks and vendors.

Read more about how Arianna made the most of her summer internship here!

HUMAN IMPACT

Meet Humanim’s one and only DJ Lex! Also known as Alexei, a participant in our Behavioral Stabilization Unit (BSU) since February. Alexei joined Humanim’s Meaningful Day program in Columbia in 2015. There, he limited his connections with others in the program and demonstrated that more one-on-one engagement from staff would be beneficial for his success. After discussing his goals and aspirations earlier this year, Alexei, his family and the Humanim team determined that the BSU is a perfect place for him to thrive.

Despite feeling nervous in a new environment, Alexei quickly blossomed into Humanim’s rock star! With a microphone in one hand, and lively tunes playing from his phone in the other, Alexei is always jamming with his peers these days – hence the name DJ Lex.

Learn more about Alexei here!

Meet Stephen and Crystal, two students from Montgomery County jumpstarting their careers through Humanim’s Work-Based Learning Experience (WBLE). During their internships at CVS, both students broadened their horizons by building confidence, embracing discomfort, and discovering their strengths in a professional environment.

Read all about Crystal and Stephen’s experiences here!

Meredith, a member of Humanim’s Meaningful Day program since 2011, has blossomed into a social butterfly! Before this year, Humanim staff remember Meredith as reserved and quiet. She often kept her head down, saying very little throughout the day while hiding her smile and personality behind a face mask. 

Since the beginning of this year, staff members and program participants alike have noticed a new Meredith. Bill, the Director of the Meaningful Day program, remarks, “every morning I see Meredith, she greets me with a loud hello and a big wave. She would never do that before.” Steve, Linda and Kate, the DSPs of Meredith’s group, attributed her transformation to the trust they and her peers developed within her.

Read about the new Meredith here!

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

NEWS

As you read the stories featured in this newsletter, take a moment to reflect on the impact and meaningful difference our programs make in the lives of those we serve. Help us continue to build pathways to economic opportunity, equity, and independence for our community members by making a donation today.