What a month! On behalf of everyone at The IMAGE Center, thank you to our incredible community of supporters, donors, and consumers for making Independent Living Month 2025 such a success. Every event was a vibrant reminder of the power, creativity, and resilience of our disability community.
We kicked off on Saturday, May 3, with an unforgettable debut in the Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race. Our superhero-inspired creation, IMAGE Man, rolled, pedaled, splashed, and soared through 15 miles of land, water, mud, and sand – earning 2nd place overall and taking home the coveted Art Award! We were proud to partner with UMBC’s students and mentors to bring independent living to life through art in motion. Click here to view the full race album on Facebook.
Bonus: Don’t miss the UMBC feature article showcasing IMAGE Man’s behind-the-scenes story!
Then, on Monday, May 5, we celebrated Maryland Independent Living Day with purpose and pride through our 5-5-5 Campaign – a call to action inviting supporters to donate $5 and tag 5 friends on 5/5. The campaign highlighted the importance of the Independent Living Movement and the vital work of Centers for Independent Living like The IMAGE Center.
We kept the celebration going with two fun-filled virtual activities: a Kahoot! Trivia Night and a family-friendly Bake-Along using an accessible recipe from Accessible Chef. Laughter, learning, and delicious results brought our community together online in the spirit of independence, creativity, and connection.
We closed out the month with a bang at our Open House on May 31, hosted at The League for People with Disabilities. From assistive tech demos and community resources to slime-making and new friendships, the event was an absolute blast. Thank you to everyone who joined us, and special thanks to The League for helping us make the day extra special. Click here to view the Open House photo album on Facebook.
💙 There’s still time to celebrate – and to make a difference! Your support powers our programs and helps keep creativity, access, and independence at the heart of everything we do. Make a donation today.