Target Community & Educational Services, Inc.

05/18/2026

🎬 Stories change people. That’s what the Sprout Film Festival is all about.

Join us on Wednesday, May 20 at the Carroll Arts Center for an evening of films that challenge stereotypes, celebrate inclusion, and highlight the lives, talents, and experiences of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Presented by CCAC in partnership with The Arc Carroll County, Target Community & Educational Services, Inc., and the Community Media Center, this inspiring event features short films from around the world — including Thriving Together: The Power of Inclusion, a powerful local documentary sharing the real stories of individuals living full, productive, and connected lives in our community.

The evening begins with a drum circle, followed by film screenings and an audience sing-along. 🪘🎶

🕔 Schedule:
5:00 PM – Opening Reception
5:30 PM – Drum Circle
6:00 PM – Films Begin
6:50 PM – Sing Along
7:15 PM – Festival Concludes

🎟 Tickets are Pay What You Will
(Any amount over $5 helps keep this program going for years to come.)

A huge thank you to sponsor Corynne Courpas for helping make this event possible.

Come laugh, reflect, connect, and experience the power of inclusion through film. ❤️

05/18/2026

Today we’re celebrating someone who helps keep everything moving forward behind the scenes and across the entire organization — Jessica Dixon , Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of Target Community & Educational Services. 🎉

Jess is the kind of leader every organization hopes to have. Steady. Thoughtful. Dedicated. The person solving problems before most people even realize they exist.

Her work touches every part of Target Community, helping ensure adults with disabilities receive the support, opportunities, and quality services they deserve every single day. From supporting staff to strengthening programs to helping guide the vision of the organization, Jess plays a major role in making Target Community what it is.

But beyond the title, Jess brings compassion, professionalism, and heart to the people we serve and the team around her. That impact matters.

Please join us in wishing Jess a very happy birthday and thanking her for all she does for Target Community and the individuals we support every day! 💚

05/12/2026

We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Patrick Gallagher, Mayor Mona Becker, City of Westminster Recreation & Parks Department, and everyone involved with the Celtic Canter for their generous $5,000 donation to Target Community & Educational Services.

What started as a community race has become something much bigger. Every year, the Celtic Canter brings people together in Westminster to support organizations that are creating real impact in people’s lives.

This donation will help adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities continue building independence, finding meaningful opportunities, participating in their communities, and living full, productive lives.

Pictured left to right are Dr. Gallagher, Dr. Matthew J Ramsey (President and CEO of Target Community), and Rachel Boone, a Target Community DSP.

We’re honored to be part of a community that continues to show up, give back, and invest in people.

Some races hand out medals.
The Celtic Canter helps change lives.

05/11/2026

Today, we remember Bill Keene. ❤️

Bill was part of the Target Community family for more than 40 years. After spending years at Rosewood Center, he found a true home at Target — first at Chazadale, and later at the Houck home, where he was surrounded by friends, staff, and people who genuinely loved him.

Bill celebrated his 66th birthday on Friday evening and passed peacefully the following day with those closest to him by his side.

To know Bill in his later years was to know joy.

He brought smiles, laughter, and warmth to the people around him every day. His life is a reminder of why community matters and what it means to truly belong.

We extend our deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved Bill. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by so many across the Target Community family.

05/04/2026

This Teacher Appreciation Week, we want to recognize the incredible educators who dedicate their hearts, patience, and talent to supporting adults with disabilities.

Your work goes far beyond teaching—you empower, encourage, advocate, and help individuals build confidence, independence, and meaningful connections every single day. The impact you make is seen not only in milestones reached, but in the lives you help shape.

Thank you for leading with compassion, celebrating every success, and believing in the potential of every person you serve. Your work matters more than words can express.

💙 Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to the educators changing lives and creating inclusive communities every day!

04/30/2026

Big win for Tori—and an even bigger moment to celebrate.
Tori’s cheer team, Power, took home a World Championship title this past weekend in Florida. A huge accomplishment that reflects hard work, commitment, and showing up when it counts.
After the competition, Tori spent time at Walt Disney World with her manager Joy—celebrating the win and making the most of a well-earned experience.
At Target Community & Educational Services, moments like this are the goal.
Real opportunities. Real achievement. Real joy.
And yes—World Champion has a pretty nice ring to it.

04/20/2026

The Montgomery County team recently stepped away from their day-to-day work for an in-service focused on one thing: doing better for the people we support.

Dr. Matthew J. Ramsey led a conversation on empathy and grace in conflict. Not as abstract ideas—but as daily expectations. Real workplaces have real challenges. Different communication styles. Different priorities. Moments of tension. The standard is how we handle them—with accountability, respect, and a shared commitment to quality.

Dr. Olivia followed with a hands-on workshop focused on positive behavioral strategies. Staff worked through real scenarios—learning how to better understand behavior, prevent challenges, and respond in ways that support growth. Clear expectations. Visual supports. Giving meaningful choices. Meeting people where they are.

The day also included team-building and time to connect—because strong teams create better outcomes.

At Target Community & Educational Services, this kind of training shows up in real life.
More independence. More confidence. More opportunity for the adults we support.

That’s the goal. Every day.

04/15/2026

🎙️ New Episode of On Target Mini is Live!

In this episode, Dr. Matthew Ramsey sits down with Chip Gachot, Instructor of the Trades Exploration Class, to talk about something powerful: what happens when hands-on learning meets opportunity.

From tools and trade skills to confidence and independence, Chip’s students are building more than projects. They’re building futures. 💪

This conversation dives into:
✔️ Why hands-on learning works
✔️ How real skills build real confidence
✔️ Why the trades open doors to meaningful careers
✔️ The impact of giving people the right tools and support

If you care about inclusion, opportunity, and the power of practical learning, this episode is worth a listen.

🎧 Listen now and hear how real-world skills can change lives. https://open.spotify.com/episode/1CFzbZ5NlP5TqfS8eyUa01?si=64ElwumUR5uqZH02po0-NA

04/09/2026

The Carroll County Meaningful Day Program team came together this week at Exploration Commons for a day focused on growth, connection, and purpose.

Staff spent time strengthening teamwork and learning practical ways to better support the individuals we serve every day.

The theme said it all: Every Piece Matters — We Make a Big Difference.

That’s what this work looks like in action.
Prepared staff. Strong teams. Better support.

04/06/2026

April is National Autism Awareness Month.

Awareness matters.
But understanding matters more.

Autism isn’t one experience.
It’s a spectrum—different strengths, different challenges, different ways of seeing the world.

Some individuals need daily support.
Some live and work independently.
Most fall somewhere in between.

What doesn’t change is this:
everyone deserves the chance to build a full, meaningful life.

That means:
• Opportunities to work and contribute
• A place to live that feels like home
• Support that builds independence—not dependence
• A community that includes, not isolates

The goal isn’t to “fix” autism.
It’s to support people in a way that respects who they are and helps them move forward.

This month is a reminder to listen more.
Include more.
And make space for people to thrive—on their terms.

04/03/2026

Shelley, a Target participant, was featured as a valued employee at Kismet Cafe & Go. Great job!

Say hi to Shelley!! If you’ve been to Kismet Go, chances are she’s made your day (and your order) a whole lot better.

We’re lucky to have you, Shelley 💛