March celebrates Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Many people have paved the way for our society to recognize and cherish individuals with disabilities, making us all proud of their work and accomplishments. Those pioneers have left us with a masterpiece, a community of people where equity, diversity and inclusion prevail.
This month, we highlight how people with and without disabilities raise awareness of the contributions and achievements of people with developmental disabilities. We will celebrate our ninth year since the establishment of our ARC employment program at Chesapeake; ARC is a non-profit organization that advocates for individuals with disabilities. I was honored to serve on the Board of the Arc and as Chair of their Employment Committee. And I couldn’t be prouder to sponsor Chesapeake Utilities’ DiverseAbilities employee resource group including a team of employees, supporters and allies who are passionate, caring and committed.
The DiverseAbilities ERG sponsored seven locations, with more than 50 volunteers at this year’s Tim Tebow Foundation Night to Shine events. Incredible work by all. This ERG has been busy with the Run for the Buds 5 Miler and 5K event and the Rock Your Socks campaign to increase awareness around Down syndrome. The team is gearing up for the Eagles Autism Foundation and Challenge on May 20, and several upcoming Special Olympics events. Join me in recognizing the valuable contributions from our diverse teams to make our workplace and communities more accessible and inclusive for all abilities.
Stacie Roberts, vice president, corporate governance, and executive sponsor, DiverseAbilities ERG
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Speaker Symposium with Laura Hope Whitaker
Laura recently shared her story about how she became the CEO for Extra Special People. Laura is an advocate for people with disabilities and described herself as an “unrelenting champion for people with all abilities.” She encourages organizations to look at people through the “ability filter” rather than the “limited filter.”
Please click on the button below to watch Laura’s presentation.
DiverseAbilities Employee Resource Group
The DiverseAbilities employee resource group (ERG) fosters an environment where employees with disabilities are supported and also provides support to employees with disabled family members. Through many community partnerships and company-led events, this ERG increases awareness, empathy, inclusion and advocacy of different levels of ability, both seen and unseen, within our workplace family and communities.
DiverseAbilities in Our Community
DiverseAbilities supported the Lewes Polar Bear Plunge held in Lewes, Delaware, on Feb. 5. More than $1 million was raised to support Special Olympics Delaware. Amy Zook, pictured, was one of the more than 3,600 participants who took a dip in the chilly Atlantic Ocean during this annual fundraiser.
Florida Public Utilities and the DiverseAbilities employee resource group were proud sponsors of the 13th Annual Sunshine Foundation Gala held on Oct. 22, 2022, in Orlando, Florida. The Sunshine Foundation is the original wish-granting organization answering the dreams of chronically ill, physically challenged and abused children.
The company sponsored the 15th Annual Run for the Buds 5 Miler and 5K event in support of the Down Syndrome Association of Delaware. Thank you to our employee participants – Danielle Ballinger, Amy Kouse, Sonya Malcolm, Andrew Weitz and Amy Zook.
Rock Your Socks at Chesapeake Utilities!
In March, Chesapeake employees participated in Rock Your Socks in support of World Down Syndrome Day. Every year, this event encourages people from around the world to come together to advocate for the rights, inclusion and well-being of people with Down syndrome.
In celebration of Rock Your Socks, participants wear vibrant, mismatched socks. March 21 is symbolic because people with Down syndrome have three copies of their 21st chromosome. The socks are chosen because the chromosomes actually look like mismatched socks.
Learn more about World Down Syndrome Day 2023 theme, With Us Not For Us.
Celebrating 2023 Night to Shine
In February, employees and family members attended the annual global Night to Shine event. Over 50 employees attended at five different locations. The Tim Tebow Foundation sponsors an unforgettable prom for people with special needs. This year, Chesapeake Utilities, on behalf of the DiverseAbilities ERG, donated $5,000 to the cause.
Learn more about Night to Shine and our employees’ participation.
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