— New name and brand reflect organization’s evolution and enduring commitment to people with disabilities —

Linthicum, MD, May 21, 2025 – The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc), a leader in providing support services and fostering inclusive communities with and for people with disabilities, today announced it is rebranding to Fello, effective immediately.

Founded in 1961 by parents who wanted their children with disabilities to have the same rights and opportunities as any other community member, the rebrand and new name allows Fello to go even deeper into its mission and serve the unmet needs of more people in the communities it serves. While the organization is rebranding with a new name, there will be no changes to its facilitated services, self-directed services, behavioral health, and housing and community development work.

“The people we support are at the center of everything we do and that will never change,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of Fello. “The name Fello is a strong reflection of who we are and what we do as fellow neighbors, fellow citizens, and fellow allies working together toward a shared vision – for people with disabilities to live the lives they choose in communities that are equitable, accessible, and fully inclusive. We embrace innovation and continued growth and will continue to be at the forefront of adapting to the evolving needs of the community as Fello.”

Today, Fello serves over 4,000 Marylanders, employs nearly 650 team members, and manages almost 100 units in 43 properties throughout Anne Arundel County and Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

As part of the rebranding and name change, Fello has separated from The Arc Maryland and the national Arc network. As the organization moves forward, its purpose remains clear: to champion inclusion, opportunity, and choice for people with disabilities. This next journey brings new possibilities to continue building strong, supportive communities across Maryland.

Fello’s housing and community development subsidiaries, Chesapeake Neighbors and Chesapeake Community Development are now unified under one name, Fello Communities. Fello Communities will continue to develop inclusive, affordable, and accessible housing where people can choose how and where they live.

In addition to Fello Communities, Fello’s services offer personalized support for people with disabilities, including services for Children, Youth & Their Families, Living Options & Services, Community Supports, Day Services, and Workforce Development. Each program is designed to meet people where they are and grow with them over time.

Fello is Maryland’s largest provider of Self-Directed Services supporting more than 3,000 participants and their 8,000-plus employees across the state. Participants hire and manage their own employees while Fello handles payroll and administrative responsibilities.

Fello Behavioral Health provides trauma-informed and person-centered mental health services tailored to people with co-occurring mental health and developmental disability diagnoses. Licensed clinicians work closely with each person and their support teams to deliver care.

“At Fello, we are building a future where equity and inclusion are the norm, housing and services coexist, and everyone has the opportunities they deserve to live the lives they choose for themselves,” Rondeau continued. “Our team members are truly dedicated to breaking down barriers to ensure everyone has their own choice and access to the support they need, regardless of geographic boundaries or other lines and we’ll be able to do this moving forward as Fello.”

Fello’s award-winning culture is rooted in innovation, compassion, and opportunity. The organization’s Health Connection program, Direct Support Professional Career Ladder, and comprehensive Total Rewards package reflects its deep investment in employee development and well-being.

About Fello

Fello champions the rights of people with disabilities and invests in what matters most: real opportunities, strong relationships, and inclusive, equitable communities. Fello partners with people with disabilities to provide support services, develop inclusive housing, and create spaces where people feel genuinely connected—not just accommodated. Founded in 1961, Fello continues to lead with heart and purpose, building inclusive communities where everyone belongs. Learn more at www.fello.org.

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A PDF version of this release is available here

Chesapeake Community Development hosted a highly productive listening session on July 10 with the Easton community to gather valuable feedback from residents about the proposed development, Easton Crossing. The session highlighted the community’s priorities and concerns, providing essential insights to guide the project’s direction.

“We are grateful to the community for sharing their priorities and concerns,” said Ross Benincasa, Vice President of Community Development at Chesapeake Community Development. “We learned a lot of important information about the vision the community has for the East End and Easton as a whole.”

Easton Crossing, located at the former Perdue grain facility on Brookletts Avenue, will feature a mix of housing, retail, and recreation spaces. During the listening session, community members were split into groups and asked five key questions to delve deeper into their expectations and concerns for the project.

Key Findings from the Listening Session

There were many unique and creative points, but also many common themes throughout the feedback, including how Chesapeake Community Development plans to balance commercial and residential opportunities and create a diverse and inclusive space that increases the quality of life for the community. Key findings from the sessions included:

1. Diverse and Inclusive Community: Residents expressed a strong desire for a diverse and inclusive community, emphasizing the importance of affordability and accessibility. There is a clear preference for a mix of demographics, including seniors, families, and the workforce, integrated within the development.

2. Quality of Life and Amenities: Quality of life is a top priority for the community. Participants highlighted the need for green spaces, native landscaping, and safety measures such as security cameras and adequate lighting. Additionally, there is a high demand for accessible amenities like parks, playgrounds, and community gathering spaces to enhance the living experience.

3. Balanced Residential and Commercial Development: The feedback underscored the necessity for a balanced mix of residential and commercial spaces. Residents want affordable and market-rate housing options alongside commercial offerings that prioritize local businesses and essential services, steering clear of generic establishments.

4. Sustainability and Design Aesthetics: Environmental sustainability and design aesthetics were prominent concerns. Community members called for effective stormwater management, green energy solutions, and architectural designs that align with Easton’s existing style. They also stressed the importance of buildings reflecting local heritage and maintaining aesthetic appeal.

5. Community Engagement and Transparency: Ongoing community engagement and transparent decision-making processes are critical to the success of Easton Crossing. Residents expect proactive management of potential challenges, including traffic, parking, and noise, and demand continuous involvement throughout the project’s lifecycle.

“We are very eager to engage with the local community to hear their needs first-hand,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of The Arc Central Chesapeake Region. “Much of what the community identified as priorities are also priorities for Chesapeake Community Development. We appreciate their honest feedback will be critical as we move forward with the next stages of development.”

These insights will play a crucial role in shaping Easton Crossing into a well-thought-out, inclusive community that meets the needs and expectations of its residents. The next steps will involve incorporating this feedback into the planning and design phases to ensure the community’s vision is realized. An additional listening session is planned for September 18, at 5:30pm, at Asbury United Methodist Church, 18 S Higgins Street. Residents and community members are strongly encouraged to attend to provide additional feedback and insights for this stage of the project.

(March 25, 2024 – Linthicum, MD) On Friday, Chesapeake Community Development, a community development corporation, acquired two parcels of land from Perdue Agribusiness in Easton, MD. The lots, located at 505 Brookletts Avenue and 410 Needwood Avenue, will be the future homes of Easton Crossing and Silo Square.

“Our vision is to bring a vibrant multi-purpose space to the community that incorporates a wide range of amenities and resources, including much-needed housing,” said Ross Benincasa, who will serve as the Vice President of Community Development supporting these projects.

Chesapeake Community Development works to make Maryland a better place to live by creating communities that are equitable, accessible, and fully inclusive. In practice, that looks like developing properties like Easton Crossing, where services, affordable and market-rate housing, retail, and beautiful green spaces flow seamlessly throughout one location.

“Our goal is to partner with the community to create a vibrant multi-purpose space called Easton Crossing on the Brookletts property. Easton Crossing will feature a mix of housing, including opportunities for affordable and market-rate rentals, as well as homeownership. The site will also include retail and recreational spaces and will reflect the diverse needs of the community around it,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of The Arc Central Chesapeake Region. “On the Needwood property, Chesapeake Community Development is creating Silo Square, a thriving neighborhood that will support the various housing needs of the community by offering quality affordable and market-rate rentals.”

In the coming weeks, Chesapeake Community Development will announce the dates of three community meetings, where the organization will share the initial plans for Easton Crossing and Silo Square and solicit feedback that will influence further development of the site plans. All community meetings will be recorded, and the recordings and transcripts will be shared with all attendees. Additionally, an online feedback tool will launch in the early summer of 2024 for community members to submit their commentary virtually.

Pending engagement sessions and site plan approval, construction is anticipated to begin roughly in 2027.

Chesapeake Community Development is a subsidiary of The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc). Together with The Arc and Chesapeake Neighbors, Chesapeake Community Development is partnering with several shore-based organizations to lead the construction of Easton Crossing and Silo Square.

Key local partners include:
• Rivers & Roads, an Easton-based community development firm, will support the development of the project, with partners Ross Benincasa and Sam Shoge taking on key leadership roles. Ross Benincasa will serve as Chesapeake Community Development’s Vice President of Community Development, while Sam Shoge will act as Chesapeake Community Development’s Director of Outreach & Partnerships.
• Chesapeake Neighbors, a subsidiary of The Arc and provider of affordable rental housing throughout the mid-shore, will serve as the rental housing lead. Judi Olinger, Executive Director of Chesapeake Neighbors, will maximize opportunities for affordable and market-rate housing at both Easton Crossing and Silo Square.
• RAUCH, Inc., an Easton-based architectural firm, will be the design & architecture lead. Virginia Richardson, Vice President of Architecture, will coordinate the design and architecture activities for Easton Crossing and Silo Square.
• BuilderGuru Contracting (BGC), a long-time partner of Chesapeake Community Development, will serve as the construction lead. Ben Harries, owner, will provide support with pre-construction services and other general contractor services for phases of the projects. As the project moves forward with construction, he will incorporate shore-based contractors on the project, providing a boost to the local economy.
• The Arc Central Chesapeake Region, a regional organization and significant service provider on the Eastern Shore, will serve as a project manager in partnership with Chesapeake Community Development. Selena Rawlley, Special Assistant to the CEO & Manager of Strategy, will serve as the project coordinator for both Easton Crossing and Silo Square.