Category: Newsletters

March Bulletin

3/16/2021

Contents:
Purple Bucket Campaign
LIVE Show Premiere
Spring Programming
Actor Spotlight
Grant Announcement

Support Barrier-Free

Those present in the early days of Barrier-Free may remember purchasing tickets and having their change made out of a plastic purple bucket. Click here to read our full story.

Although we are a long way from plastic bucket days, each year in March we host our Purple Bucket Direct Donation Campaign.

This year, a generous donor has agreed to match the first $2000 in donations!

Consider making a donation to Barrier-Free this month to help us reach our $4000 goal, for a total of $6000 after matching.

Willing to be a second matching donor? Contact us directly.

Click Here to Donate

Shows Premiering March 26th

Join us Friday, March 26 at 8pm for the premiere of "Abracadabra, Your Honor" and "I Do, I Think!"

Act I, "Abracadabra, Your Honor," is about a group of mischievous magicians who are hired to boost revenue at a struggling theater. After a few too many schemes, these magicians find themselves in court being sued by the theater staff! Will justice be served or do these magicians have another trick up their sleeve?

Act II, "I Do, I Think" is about love birds Luigi and Sloane preparing for their "best day ever!" Everything is smooth and perfect until Steve, an uninvited guest, comes crashing into the party. Will the wedding proceed? Has the big day been ruined? Can anyone stop Steve from eating all the lamb shanks? Tune in to find out!

These short-films will premiere LIVE on Youtube & Facebook Friday, March 26 at 8pm.

Spring Programming Announcement

This Spring brings THREE new programs to Barrier-Free!

Our Art of Performing/Inclusive Theater Companies will break for the spring/summer and resume in September.

All classes are mixed abilities and open to individuals 18+ with intellectual/developmental disabilities and autism.

These classes are perfect for new or returning Barrier-Free participants.

Click the image for more details and to register for each class.

Register for one, two, or all three programs!!

Use the "Spring Trifecta" link to use ONE registration form to register for all three programs.

Click Here to View our Enrollment Page

Fresh off the Press

Jorge Tirigall is a talented actor from Columbia, MD, and a member of our Art of Performing Company B. Catch him in his debut performance as Luigi Rodriguez in "I Do, I Think" premiering LIVE on our Youtube channel, Friday, March 26 at 8pm.

Thank you Jorge for representing actors with autism and sharing about your experiences with Barrier-Free!

Click Here for the Actor Spotlight

Grant Announcement

Barrier-Free is thrilled to announce we are the recipients of an Arts Opportunity Mini-Grant from the Carroll County Arts Council totaling $1000!

This Mini-Grant will allow us to purchase new high-quality editing software for our upcoming productions, fund our costume & prop budget, and enhance our marketing efforts for our shows.

Thank you Carroll County Arts Council for your support!!

Don't Forget to Donate!

Photo: Besties & Buds participants wrapping up an excellent class.
Don't miss out on your chance to join Besties & Buds Round Two starting Thursday, April 8th on Zoom!

Click Here to Donate

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January Bulletin

1/9/2021

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Happy New Year 2021!

Art of Performing Season II kicks-off this week!

We will spend the next 12 weeks on Zoom following the I nclusive Theater process to create original shows complete with scripts, costumes, music, and more!

There are limited numbers of spaces available in each Company!

Click Here to Register for Co. A

Click Here to Register for Co. B

Get out those dancing shoes!

January Jivin' also kicks-off this week!

This short-term commitment class is perfect for new and returning Barrier-Free participants. Music selections will be decided by the group based on YOUR suggestions!

No dance experience or solo performances required.

Click Here to Register

Lets hangout on Zoom!

This month we'll be working together to solve a NEW virtual escape room - “Unlock Disney World!”
⁣
Zoom Social Clubs are FREE and available to participants of all abilities - new and returning.⁣

Click Here to Register

Shop & Support Barrier-Free

Shop Lilly Pulitzer at Montgomery Mall on Sunday, January 10th ALL DAY to have 10% of your purchase donated to Barrier-Free!

This is a store-specific event so orders must be placed with the Montgomery Mall location via phone or in-person.

All orders are able to shipped directly to your home free of charge.

Browse online at LillyPulitzer.com and then call 301-365-3426 to place your order or visit Lauren in-store between 12 - 6pm!

Check-Ins with Mike

You may have received a call or text recently from Michael (Mike) Eaton, a veteran Barrier-Free actor and now assistant teaching artist. Mike has been volunteering his time to reach out and check-in on his Barrier-Free friends to see how they're doing.

These calls help keep our Barrier-Free actors connected while Mike is able to polish and practice his work-place professional skills.

Thank you Mike for your commitment to your friends and Barrier-Free!

A Message from our Staff

We can't wait to see you all on Zoom to create, express, and achieve together!

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December Bulletin

12/12/2020

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A Peek Inside:
Giving Tuesday
Film Premiere
Barrier-Free Merch Store
Art of Performing Season II
Zoom Holiday Hangout

Today is Giving Tuesday!

#GivingTuesday is an opportunity to uplift non-profits and support their mission by committing a financial gift as part of the kick-off to the holiday season.

Will you commit a Giving Tuesday gift to Barrier-Free this year?

Yes, I'd like to donate now!

Thank you for supporting Barrier-Free this holiday season!

Film Premiere Friday Dec. 18th!

Our Art of Performing Companies have been hard at work creating, rehearsing, and filming their original short films.

These short films will premiere on Friday December 18th at 8pm live on Youtube!

Company A's film Salty Seas will be Act I & Company B's film Family is Family will be Act II.

Barrier-Free Merch Store

November Bulletin

11/7/2020

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A Peek Inside:
Greene Turtle Fundraiser
New Class - Register Today
Let's Get Social
Having a Disability Blog
October Fundraising

Dine Out to Support Barrier-Free

Come out to the Greene Turtle on Market St. in Westminster on Tuesday, Nov. 17th to have 20% of your food and drinks donated to Barrier-Free.

Dine-in and carry-out are eligible for the fundraiser.

Make sure to mention Barrier-Free and show the flyer when ordering or picking up!

Registration Now Open

Our JOY class was such a hit, we are adding a second seasonal offering!

This class is 3 weeks long and will meet Thursdays on Zoom Dec. 3 - 17.

Registration cost includes materials to be mailed to your home.

Class Description:
Join us on Zoom for a class to spread holiday cheer!
Holidays plans get changed or cancelled? Let’s get together weekly to foster friendships, enjoy Christmas songs, theater and more!

This class is for adults 18+ with intellectual/developmental disabilities and autism.

November Social Clubs

This month brings two new social club opportunities!

Our November Zoom Hangout will be Virtual Bingo! You'll need access to a printer prior to the event in order to print your BINGO card that will be emailed to you. This event is FREE.

On Saturday, November 21st, we will have an in-person social club to Hershey Park! This social club is strictly limited to 10 participants. View all of our safety precautions for this event on the online registration page. Carpooling is available and masks are required for this event.

Only 2 spots remain for Hershey Park!

Click Here to Register for Social Clubs

Fresh off the Press!

Barrier-Free's blogger, Emily Wachter, shares a raw & honest first-hand perspective on life with a disability.

"Having a disability means when I mask my autism I pay for it later.
Having a disability means the employer can decide to pay me less or to not interview me at all based on my application.
Having a disability is worry about if I’ll secure housing when I’m older."

View the full post at barrierfreemd.com/blog

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In addition to her work as a blogger, Emily is a lifelong writer and photographer with a passion for disability rights, social justice, and psychology. She is the founder of Photography through Autism.

$1170 raised in October!

Thank you for helping us keep Barrier-Free programs affordable and accessible for all families by participating in our Virtual 5k & Lauren's Birthday Fundraiser - Happy Birthday to our Executive Director Lauren!

View all the ways to donate or give back to Barrier-Free here.

Stay Joyful!

Pictured Above: Barrier-Free Joy class participants

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October Bulletin

10/2/2020

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A Peek Inside:
Register for our Virtual 5k
New Class
Let's Get Social
Staff Announcement
World of Possibilities Disability Expo

We are excited to announce our first-ever Virtual 5k!

This is a virtual race which means you participate from anywhere in the world!

How it works:

Register for the race.
Complete your 5k in whatever way you prefer - walking, running, biking, etc.! Make sure to time your race.
Return to the virtual results portal by October 31st to input your race time and distance results.
Check the mail for your medal!

We hope you'll join us for this awesome Barrier-Free fundraising event!

Click Here to Signup

New Class

We've been having so much fun on Zoom, we are adding additional class offerings.

This class is 4 weeks long and will meet Thursdays on Zoom Oct. 15 - Nov. 5.

Class Description:
Feeling a little blue and out-of-sorts lately? Navigating life in a pandemic can be difficult! Let’s get together weekly to foster friendships, mindfulness, and joy during these uncertain times.

October Social Clubs

This month is FULL of social club opportunities!

Register for one event or all three, there's certain to be something for everyone.

Our October Zoom Hangout will be Halloween themed! Feel free to come dressed in a costume! This event is FREE.

On Friday, October 23 we will have an in-person social club at the Maryland Corn Maze in Gambrill, MD! This social club is strictly limited to 10 participants and has a low cost of $20. Carpooling is available and masks are required for this event.

NEW to the social club lineup, we will have a Virtual Gaming with Friends event on Zoom on October 16th! Nintendo Switch required for this FREE event.

Click Here to Register for Social Clubs

Welcome Back Evan!

On October 12th, Evan will be joining Art of Performing Co. A as an Assistant Teaching Artist!

Evan Darr is a sophomore majoring in psychology at McDaniel College. This will be his second year working with Barrier-Free after serving as an intern for the 2019 - 2020 season. Evan has always gone above and beyond the call of duty for Barrier-Free by taking on extra responsibilities that include set painting, social club mentoring, and more. Outside of classes, Evan is a member of the McDaniel tennis team and Alpha Phi Omega - a co-ed service fraternity. In his free time, he likes to hang out with friends and family, watch sports, and listen to some classic rock music. Evan is super excited for his second year working with Barrier-Free!

We look forward to having Evan with us again very soon!

World of Possibilities Disability Expo

Barrier-Free will be a part of the World of Possibilities Disability Expo at Westminster TownMall this weekend!

"The World of Possibilities Disabilities Expos provide an opportunity for you to enhance your knowledge and explore disability related products, services, technology and resources available."

Click Here to Learn More

Art of Performing Companies

We are having a blast on Zoom each week at the Art of Performing!

Make sure you're following us on social media to see all the fun.

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