Pride in Our Authentic Selves: Honoring Identity at Fello 

Pride Month 2025

At Fello, we believe honoring a person’s full identity is essential to fostering true inclusion in our communities. 

June is Pride Month, and whether you’re a Fello employee or a person we support, we’re committed to creating a place where everyone feels safe, seen, and valued. 

At Fello, we encourage every team member to bring their full self to work. We know that people thrive in environments where they don’t have to hide who they are. That’s why we’ve worked hard to build a culture rooted in respect, equity, and acceptance. 

A Workplace Where Everyone Belongs 

Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives are a thread woven throughout everything we do. From inclusive on-boarding practices to regular satisfaction surveys and employee trainings, we listen, learn, and improve to ensure everyone feels supported. 

To be as inclusive as possible for our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual+ (LGBTQIA+) employees, we are committed to improving our policies, spaces, and offerings. 

For example, prioritizing single-stall restrooms in our office spaces allows everyone to feel safe and secure. No one needs to choose how they identify or to wonder how they will be perceived based on the restroom they are using.  

Additionally, all of our Total Rewards available to employees’ spouses are also available to employees’ domestic partners.  

Family Planning benefits around surrogacy, IVF, and paid leave for adoption are also benefits open to all employees that support LGBTQIA+ employees and their families to grow and thrive. 

Our employees are encouraged to not just share their pronouns but let us know whenever they need to be updated, no matter how frequently that might be. 

These workplace practices reflect our deeper commitment to inclusion that extends far beyond policies. 

Pride Month and Our Mission 

Pride Month is more than a celebration—it’s an extension of our mission. At Fello, we remove barriers so everyone can live fully and freely. That includes the freedom to express every part of who they are, including their gender identity and sexual orientation. 

We know that people with disabilities often face added discrimination or misunderstanding when they’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community. That’s why we approach support with the whole person in mind. 

Our work doesn’t stop with awareness—it’s about action. We offer relationship- and identity-focused trainings for employees and the people we support about making space for understanding our identities, healthy relationships, and self-expression, including sessions led by outside national experts. These trainings help educate employees who support people with disabilities on how to approach topics around self-discovery, relationships, and identity in authentic, helpful ways.  

We also empower people to use their chosen names and pronouns, advocate for their personal preferences, and feel safe being open in their homes and communities. 

As one Direct Support Professional (DSP) shares: 
“The relationship training gave me real tools—like how to support someone through tough conversations, recognize unhealthy dynamics, and respect boundaries. It’s helped me be a better DSP, but it’s also made me more thoughtful in my own relationships, too.” 

Year-Round Support 

Fello’s commitment to inclusion doesn’t stop after June. We offer: 

  • Comprehensive Total Rewards that support mental health and well-being for employees; 
  • Access to Behavioral Health services for people supported by Fello;  
  • A DEI Advisory Committee for employees to engage as thought partners; 
  • Opportunities for regular feedback about Fello’s practices and opportunities for growth. 

This Pride Month, we celebrate the courage it takes to live authentically—and we’re proud to walk alongside our community every step of the way. 

Find Your Fit: Join Fello at Our Next DSP Hiring Fair 

DSP Hiring Fair

Looking for more than a job? At Fello, you’ll find purpose, connection, and a community that cares about the people we support and about you.  

Fello is where passionate professionals come together to reimagine what’s possible and create more inclusive communities. Whether you’re just starting your journey or growing your career, you’ll find space here to lead with heart and grow with purpose. 

 If that mission speaks to you, we invite you to join us at our Direct Support Professional (DSP) Hiring Fair on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, from 11am to 3pm at Fello Severn (1332 Donald Ave., Severn, MD 21144).  

This event is your opportunity to meet our team, explore open positions, and find a role that fits your life. We’re hiring for full-time, part-time, and weekend shifts, and you can apply and interview on the spot. Whether you’re new to the field or already have experience, we want to meet you. 

What is a DSP? 

A Direct Support Professional, or DSP, actively supports people with disabilities to live, work, and connect in the community. This role is about empowerment—helping people live on their own terms, make their own decisions, and pursue the lives they choose. 

DSPs help with everything from daily routines to meaningful life experiences. One day you might be helping someone make dinner in their own home, and the next day, supporting them to attend a community event or job training session. At Fello, this work goes far beyond care—it’s about connection, choice, and building inclusive communities. 

Why Work at Fello? 

When you work for Fello, you’re not just getting a job—you’re joining a supportive team and gaining the tools you need to succeed. We give you the resources and flexibility to do the work you love, with: 

  • Helpful technology to simplify activity tracking and reports; 
  • Company vehicles available for community transportation, so you don’t need to use your own car; 
  • Supportive managers who are there to guide you every step of the way; 
  • Paid training that builds your skills and prepares you for certification; 
  • And, $2/hour weekend differential for shifts worked on Saturdays and Sundays. 

We also provide comprehensive benefits to support your overall well-being including: 

  • Paid Time Off (for part-time employees, too) 
  • Affordable and comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans 
  • 100% employer-paid deductible for medical 
  • Free access to on-site urgent and primary care through Health Connection 
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care 
  • 403(b) retirement plan with 6% employer match, fully vested from day one 
  • 12 paid holidays, and more! 

Available Roles 

We’re currently hiring for multiple DSP roles: 

Community Support Assistant 

Work in one of our group homes supporting people with daily living skills and helping them pursue independence. 

Personal Support Assistant  

Support people with disabilities in their own homes, helping them stay connected and confident in their daily lives. 

Community Coach 

Lead small groups in our Day Program, organizing outings and community-based activities that promote connection. 

Learn more about each role Each of these roles has a starting rate of $20.50/hour with the opportunity to grow and earn more through our DSP Career Ladder Program. This program is based on national standards and provides in-depth professional development opportunities with financial incentives for DSPs to enhance their skills and knowledge, grow professionally, and support people with disabilities in new, innovative ways. 

Join Us on June 3 

Mark your calendar and come meet us on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, from 11am to 3pm at Fello Severn. Whether you’re looking for weekday, weekend, full-time, or part-time work, we have a role that could be a perfect fit for you. 

We’re excited to meet people who are ready to make a difference. Find out how you can start a rewarding career at Fello—where your work empowers others to live life on their own terms. 

Together, we are Fello

Together, we are Fello

In every community, there are stories that speak to the power of belonging—neighbors lending a hand, friends showing up, and people working side by side to build something better for everyone.  

That spirit of connection and collective strength has always been at the heart of our work. 

For more than six decades, we’ve supported people with disabilities across Maryland—meeting them where they are and walking alongside them every step of the way. What began in 1961 as a grassroots movement led by families has grown into one of Maryland’s most dynamic, person-centered organizations. 

Now, we’re excited to share the next chapter in our story: We are Fello. 

As of May 21, 2025, Fello has separated from The Arc Maryland and the national Arc network. While our name has changed, our work has not.  

Fello is About Community 

As we move forward, our purpose remains clear: to champion inclusion, opportunity, and choice for people with disabilities. This next step brings new possibilities, and we’re excited to continue building strong, supportive communities across Maryland. 

Fello is About Purpose 

At Fello, we believe in the power of individuality and collective strength. We’ve always met people where they are—at home, at work, and in their communities—and helped them get where they want to go. That isn’t changing.  

This is not a new beginning; it’s a bold next step. Fello is the natural evolution of our rapid growth—one that gives us greater flexibility to innovate, reach more people, and respond more quickly to the needs of our communities. 

As Fello we’ll be going even deeper into the work that matters: removing barriers, championing choice, and creating inclusive communities where everyone has the opportunity to live the life they choose. 

Fello is About Belonging 

The name Fello is a strong reflection of who we are and what we do as fellow neighbors, fellow citizens, and fellow allies working together toward a shared vision.  

Our identity now better reflects the relationships we build, the values we live, and the future we are creating together. At Fello, we believe that equity and inclusion should be the standard, not the exception.  

That services should be personal, not prescriptive. And that communities should be shaped by the people who live in them. 

Fello is About Impact 

We support more than 4,000 people with disabilities across Maryland—meeting them where they are and walking alongside them every step of the way. Our work spans four key areas: 

  • Services 
    Everything we do starts with the person. There is no checklist or standard plan, just real conversations about what matters most to the people we support. From there, we build services that fit their lives, reflect their goals, and grow with them over time. Whether it’s support at home, at work, or in the community, our approach is flexible, responsive, and rooted in belonging. 
  • Self-Directed Services 
    As Maryland’s largest provider of self-directed services, we support over 3,000 participant employers and their more than 8,000 employees. With Self-Directed Services, the person hires the employees that best fit their lives, on their terms and schedule. Fello takes care of the behind-the-scenes details like payroll and paperwork so they can focus on what matters most: living life their way. 
  • Behavioral Health 
    Mental health is a vital part of community inclusion. Our licensed clinicians start by building relationships, recognizing how past experiences shape present behaviors, emotions, and interactions. We believe that behavioral support and mental health services must be integrated, trauma-informed, and person-centered.  
  • Communities 
    As Fello Communities, we develop inclusive, affordable, and accessible housing where people can choose how and where they live. The communities we shape are vibrant, reflecting the lives of the people who live in them. Housing isn’t just a place to live—it’s the foundation for a life of belonging. 

Fello is About People 

Fello was founded by families who believed their children deserved the same equal rights and opportunities as everyone else, and that belief still drives everything we do.  

Today, we employ more than 650 team members, manage nearly 100 housing units, and continue to find innovative ways to support people throughout Maryland. 

Our impact isn’t just in numbers—it’s in possibilities created.  

We don’t just respond to needs—we anticipate them. We listen, adapt, and stay grounded in community every step of the way. 

Together, We Belong 

Fello is more than a name. It’s a reflection of who we are: fellow neighbors, fellow advocates, fellow allies—united in a vision for a more inclusive world. 

We believe in building communities where no one is left out or left behind. Where systems expand possibilities instead of limiting them. Where support is built on trust, and belonging is the starting point. 

So, while our name has changed, our promise has not.  

We are still here. Still leading. Still building. 

We are Fello. And we have communities to create. 

A Record-Breaking Day at Queenstown Harbor 

A Record-Breaking Day at Queenstown Harbor

Our annual golf tournament brought big swings and an even bigger impact to the community this year. More than 270 attendees enjoyed beautiful weather, strong community spirit, and excellent courses at Queenstown Harbor Golf with this year’s event raising a record $258,365.  

Thanks to our presenting sponsor, Climate Care HVAC, the tournament blended fun and purpose to support our important programs for children and families. 

“Every year, this tournament reminds us of the power of community,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO. “Thanks to our sponsors and supporters, we’re not just raising dollars—we’re changing lives.” 

Supporting Children, Youth & Their Families 

All funds raised go directly to the Children, Youth & Their Families program which helps families access critical resources that support children with disabilities. The program includes: 

  • Direct services to provide children with disabilities with Direct Support Professionals, connection to local resources, and support groups. 

  • Educational resources to help parents and caregivers understand education systems and advocate for their children. 

  • Financial support to cover needs that insurance often doesn’t, like therapies or assistive technology. 

This program aims to remove the barriers families face and give children every opportunity to succeed—no matter the circumstances. 

Funds raised from the 50/50 raffle went to the Family Fund, a program that provides direct financial help families covering items that insurance will not pay for. This year’s raffle raised a total of $6,105 and the lucky winner generously donated their winnings back to the Family Fund. 

“The money raised through this year’s tournament means we can serve more families across the region,” said Sara Pease, Assistant Director of Children, Youth & Their Families. “It means greater access to services, stronger support systems, and fewer barriers standing between children and the resources they need to thrive.” 

Save the Date: May 11, 2026 

We’re already looking ahead to next year! Our tournament will return to Queenstown Harbor on May 11, 2026. This is an event that sells out every year, so mark your calendars and don’t miss your chance to play for a cause and support local families. 

Connect with us on social media and check out photos from this year’s event