Keystone Human Services

We are excited to share our refreshed 2025-2026 Corporate Partnership Opportunities! We’re offering customized partnerships that go beyond traditional sponsorships, to create meaningful, year-round connections between businesses and the life-changing programs of KHS. ? What’s new? ·??????Expanded multi-event participation for deeper engagement across ChocolateBall, Summer Social, and the Golf Tournament ·??????Exclusive sponsorships so businesses can stand out with unique opportunities like “Official Grocery Store of KHS” or “Official Partner of ChocolateBall” ·??????Co-branded initiatives to collaborate on joint marketing campaigns and social impact projects ·??????Year-round visibility with new Corporate Leadership Society benefits and customized sponsorship packages ·??????Industry-specific engagement to align your support with initiatives that match your company’s social responsibility goals ? Visit our website to learn more about how your business can build lasting connections, enhance your brand, and make a real impact in the community: https://lnkd.in/eb28uf7Z

What does independence look like? Sometimes it looks like cooking your favorite meal for yourself. Having those skills and the choice to choose your own dinner can make a big difference in someone’s life. Marissa has perfected her favorite dish, shrimp alfredo, even putting her own spin on it. “I actually put a little cheese in it,” she says. Victory Akande, a ID Program Coordinator working in Delaware, has supported her in widening her culinary skills, first taking on a role closer to teacher and now stepping back into more of a mentor role in the kitchen. “When she chefs it up, I’m just like ‘Oh, you go, girl.’”

We are thrilled to be nominated as one of three nonprofits to be considered for a $7,500 donation from Members 1st Federal Credit Union! Members 1st is celebrating 75 years, and they’ll be donating to the nonprofit that receives the most votes by the end of the month. You can help KHS make a big impact with Members 1st! Cast your vote for Keystone Human Services! ???

One in five women has a disability, comprising 20% of all women. As they navigate an inaccessible and exclusionary world, the barriers they face are disproportionate. In data provided by UN Women, women with disabilities are at least two to three times more likely than other women to experience violence. Compared to men without disabilities, women with disabilities are three times more likely to be illiterate and two times less likely to be employed. This International Women’s Day #IWD2025, join us in highlighting the leadership of women with disabilities, as we speak to two young women whose work has paved the way for others. Vibhu Sharma made history as the first blind person to independently write the CBSE board exams (India’s equivalent of a high school diploma examination) using a screen reader. Currently serving as Capacity Building Manager at Keystone Human Services India Association, Vibhu has been instrumental in shaping policies and initiatives that foster a more inclusive society. Arushi Singh is a passionate disability rights advocate who has taken legal strides to create a more accessible world. She filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court of India to improve air travel for persons with disabilities, challenging systemic barriers and advocating for equal rights. Currently, Arushi is a faculty member at OP Jindal University in India https://lnkd.in/ecQ8JrJ9 Data source: https://lnkd.in/dK-Hbe9M

Ludmila Malcoci, PHD habilitate, Professor, Executive Director of Keystone Moldova, and Genevieve Fitzgibbon, Vice President, Global Programs and Advocacy are attending the Zero Project #ZeroCon25 Conference in Vienna, Austrian, joining the conversation about innovative solutions for Employment and Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Organizations and leaders from different areas of expertise come together at #ZeroCon25 to share and discuss workable concepts. The Zero Project focuses on the rights of persons with disabilities globally. During the conference, Dr. Malcoci presented the role of Keystone Moldova in support people with disabilities in the labor market, emphasizing: ?? Moldova’s strategy for inclusive employment; ?? The importance of de-industrialization and access to education and work; ?? Keystone Moldova’s efforts for legislation to support workforce employment. Through advocacy and partnerships, we are working to ensure people with disability have opportunities to actively participate in and contribute to society.

Congratulations to Capital Area Head Start Educators of the Month for February! Stephanie Kimmel, Family Educator, West Shore EHS: In the last 16 months as a family educator, Stephanie has strengthened and grown her skills in supporting families as their child’s first educator and has grown in confidence as a coach. Stephanie has a genuine passion and desire to see her families’ meet their goals and make gains. She is their cheerleader and celebrates their wins alongside them. One of Stephanie’s families recently took the time to recognize her for the great impact she has had on their lives, describing her as a gem to their family. No matter what is going on with each of her families, Stephanie is always willing to provide resources, ideas and support to them and meets each family where they are at, without judgement. Shayanne Kimmel & Gio Marquez, Teaching Team, Carlisle: This team is reflective, and thoughtful in their planning to help meet the children where they are at developmentally and emotionally. They are very patient with the children and stay calm even when things in the room are not calm. They are thoughtful in how they speak to and with the children. They accept guidance, implement strategies as needed, fill buckets, and celebrate the children and their accomplishments. Despite how busy things may be, they always have time to help their fellow coworkers. CAHS is lucky to have these two as a part of our team! Leah White & Kelleigh Stevenson, Teaching Team, Banks St: Leah and Kelleigh are a new teaching team & new to CAHS, but they are always willing to try new strategies. They will take feedback and implement things right away. They are responsive when you have conversations with them about best practices in the classroom. They are both very calm and seen engaging with children even though they have some challenging behaviors in their classroom. They are open to suggestions and will be piloting having mini-team meetings with them to help enhance the communication between support staff. It is great they are so positive when offered suggestions. Let's hear it for teachers!

Delaware staff attended the LIFE Conference in January and received information, educational resources and opportunities for persons with disabilities, their families, caregivers, educators and providers. The LIFE Conference offered the opportunity to learn, network, and participate in sessions designed to share information with all participants, including policy makers and the general public.

We’re pleased to announce that Shabina Bano will be the new Director of Keystone Institute India, effective today. Since we first began operating in India, Shabina has worked alongside us as an ally and collaborator. She brings over a decade of experience in designing and supporting innovative work that promotes the full inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of everyday life. A champion for marginalized people, Shabina has worked to open doors for inclusive education, creating alternatives to segregated programs, integrating disability as a crosscutting issue in healthcare, and conducting national research on possibilities for people experiencing mental health conditions. She also brings a deep commitment to the principles of #SocialRoleValorization, has studied these and other applications of inclusive practice in the United States and other countries, and has been a strong promoter of supporting people with disabilities and their families to have access to the good things in life. Elizabeth Neuville will remain in her role as the Executive Director of Keystone Institute. She will continue to be engaged in Keystone Institute India’s training, mentoring, and programmatic support, as well as provide supervisory support to Shabina.?

? Thank you to our incredible ChocolateBall Sponsors for making the evening a resounding success! Highmark Inc. / Penn State Health Advanced Solution Tom & Glenda Auker The BI Collaborative D&H Distributing Cares First National Bank The Glatfelter Agency Robert Goodling and Mimi Goodling Hall Family Foundation Long Nyquist & Associates Millers Mutual Insurance PA Health & Wellness PNC THE@S WILSON AND GRACE M POLLOCK FOUNDATION Terri Slocomb UPMC Verkada

The Corporate Leadership Society is an investment in a world where all people belong and are welcomed to participate in everything society has to offer. Your partnership allows Keystone Human Services to support people with disabilities, as well as children and families, to pursue their goals, reach their full potential, and live full lives in the community. https://lnkd.in/dqdCsKB Thank you for supporting ChocolateBall! Alliant Insurance Services AvePoint Capital Blue Cross Citizens Core BTS Erie Insurance Group Graham Company GR Sponaugle Guernsey, Inc. Harrisburg Pharmacy The Hershey Company HUNTER REMODELING INC Johnson Controls Junction Creative Solutions Landmark Commercial Realty McKee Risk Management, Inc. McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC Members 1st Federal Credit Union United Concordia Dental Verizon Brett Woodburn Law