One year ago today, Fello took a bold step forward in our mission. 

For 65 years, we’ve worked toward a Maryland where everyone belongs—where inclusion strengthens communities and people have the opportunity to live the life they choose. Becoming Fello gave a new voice and renewed energy to that enduring mission. 

Rebranding meant more than adopting a new name or logo—it was an opportunity to reflect on who we are, celebrate how far we’ve come, and envision where we’re headed as fellow neighbors, fellow citizens, and fellow advocates. 

In our first year as Fello, we did more than honor that legacy—we amplified it.   

Opening Access for People with Disabilities 

This year, we expanded our efforts to create even more possibilities for the people we support.  

Opening Fello at The Mall 

Annapolis is where our services began 65 years ago, and this year, we continue to invest in the community that started it all. In February, we opened Fello at The Mall—a welcoming, accessible space inside Annapolis Mall where people with disabilities and their families can drop in for resources, support, and connection. Already, more than 1,000 people have walked through the door, leaving more informed, better supported, and reminded that they belong in the community. 

Advancing Wellness for All 

In 2024, Fello launched Health Connection—an on-site clinic providing urgent and primary care to our employees. Just four months after we became Fello, we expanded that resource to the people we support, creating a convenient, affordable pathway to essential healthcare that too many in our community struggle to access. 65 years ago, the conversation around healthcare for people with disabilities was very different. We’re proud to move the needle forward and connect people with disabilities to the person-centered healthcare they need and deserve. 

Supporting Children & Families 

Through Fello’s Family Fund, we awarded $136,071 to 116 families across Maryland this year, helping children with disabilities to access therapies, adaptive equipment, and services that insurance doesn’t cover. At this year’s Golf Fore Kids tournament, our community raised more than $271,000 in support of our Children, Youth & Their Families program. Children with disabilities and their families have more options for success and community integration now than they did in 1961 when we were founded—and we are proud to be part of that change.  

Building Affordable Housing & Inclusive Communities 

Since we opened our first home in the 1970s, Fello has worked to expand inclusive housing opportunities across Maryland. Today, that commitment has grown into more than 150 housing units shaped by our community’s needs and values and designed to create stability and connection for people and families throughout Maryland. 

This milestone year saw the debut of a major community-centered development and the launch of new projects to expand affordable housing and strengthen communities. 

The Laura House Opens 

In April 2026, we unveiled The Laura House—a newly constructed, mansion-style residence featuring seven two-bedroom apartments designed to thoughtfully fit within the surrounding neighborhood, blending affordability with market-rate options.  More than just a building, The Laura House is a place designed for stability, dignity, and long-term belonging. Creating housing has been central to our success from the beginning, and The Laura House is an exciting next step in our story. 

The Beginnings of Silo Court 

Our founders knew in the 1960s and 1970s that true inclusion for people with disabilities in their communities would require a revolutionary new way of thinking about how communities look and feel. Within this first year as Fello, we broke ground on Silo Court, a new community of 28 thoughtfully designed townhomes that prioritize both affordability and quality. Seven of these homes are dedicated to affordable housing, creating opportunities for families to live in homes they can be proud of in a welcoming neighborhood. 

Early Stages of Easton Crossing 

This year, Fello received full approval to develop Easton Crossing, an ambitious transformation of a former agricultural site in Easton, MD, into a vibrant, people-focused neighborhood with mixed-income housing, commercial space, green spaces, and more. Our founders never could have predicted that their vision of inclusive communities for their children with disabilities would someday lead to something as innovative and revolutionary as Easton Crossing. We are proud to be here, still doing the work, and making more inclusive communities a reality. 

Supporting the People Behind the Mission 

Over the last 65 years, thousands of employees have been part of Fello’s story, and our incredible achievements during our first year as Fello were only possible because of the passionate, dedicated leaders across the organization. In our first year as Fello, we continued to invest in our employees, the people who continue to bring our mission and vision to life 65 years later.  

Expanding Total Rewards 

We expanded our Total Rewards package with families in mind, adding two extra weeks of paid family leave for expecting parents, introducing a 529 college savings account open for employees’ children and grandchildren, and increasing PTO rates for part-time employees. Each addition reflects our commitment to supporting our employees as people, so they can continue showing up for the people we support, each other, and our communities. 

Developing Leaders at Every Level 

We launched the Leadership Institute to give every manager at Fello the tools they need to lead more effectively, introduced a Table Talks with Jonathon series to foster open dialogue between executive leadership and managers, and launched our Women’s Leadership Series to connect and support women Directors and Executives across Fello. 

Launching Fello Pulse 

Almost one year to the day since we became Fello, we launched Fello Pulse, an internal platform that gives employees a place to connect, share, and celebrate one another. Whether highlighting achievements, exchanging ideas, or sharing personal updates, Fello Pulse helps build the relationships that strengthen our team and our mission. 

The Next Chapter 

Becoming Fello wasn’t a new beginning—it was the next chapter in a mission six decades in the making.  

One year into this new chapter, our progress reflects what’s possible when people come together behind the shared belief that everyone belongs. United in purpose, energized for the future, and grounded in 65 years of impact, we look forward to continuing to build communities where every person has the opportunity to thrive.