When our founder Frances A. Bacon joined with four other sets of parents in 1947 to create a program to serve and educate their children with developmental disabilities, she launched— whether or not she knew it at the time—a movement that would help tens of thousands of people live empowered and enriched lives, to the best of their ability.
Throughout 2023, Chimes celebrated our 75th anniversary—and what has been an extraordinary transformation from one small school in a humble Baltimore City church basement to a diverse, dynamic organization offering a wide variety of services to more than 20,000 people in six states.
While applauding Frances Bacon’s pioneering efforts and the visionary work of the staff called to serve people with disabilities, we spent 2022 honoring the remarkable people Chimes serves—by providing the educational, employment, vocational, residential, habilitative and behavioral health services that enable our neighbors to lead independent, fulfilling lives.
A festive Homecoming Celebration held in October offered a chance to join fellow team members (past and present), board members, persons served and their families—and, of course the Chimes choir, who filled the afternoon air with song—to commemorate 75 years of serving our community.
Hundreds gathered to uplift our mission and financially support our work to provide essential services to people with disabilities, mental health and substance abuse challenges. And we are thrilled to share that the event netted more than $100,000—an impressive number worth noting, because those funds will fuel all our vital work, and poise Chimes for another 75 years serving our community.
No question, 2023 will bring challenges old and new: a frustratingly persistent pandemic, funding challenges, program changes, and other obstacles we can’t possibly predict.
With your ongoing support, Chimes will continue to persevere—and empower thousands of vulnerable men, women and children with behavioral health challenges and developmental disabilities with the skills and resources to pursue a meaningful day, every day. Thank you for being part of the community that makes that possible!
