If you've driven by the Dove Pointe building on Mount Herman Road, you might wonder what goes on inside. You can't tell from either the building's name or its appearance.

There's a sign saying that Dove Pointe is open to the public, and that there's coffee, bagels, and a gift shop inside. But the building looks large enough to hold hundreds of people, so it has to be more than just a coffee and gift shop.

If you go inside-and Don Hackett, Dove Pointe's Director hopes that you will-you still might not guess immediately what Dove Pointe is about. The decoration won't tell you. It's attractive in a neutral sort of way, reminiscent of what you might expect in an exceptionally tasteful private home.

The interesting fact about all this is that according to Hackett, the ambiguousness is intentional. Dove Pointe is actually a rehabilitation center, and its purpose is to serve individuals who are mentally or developmentally disabled.

You don't immediately know that Dove Pointe is a rehabilitation center because one of the goals of the facility is to integrate people with disabilities into the community. One of the innovative ways of accomplishing this is to have part of the facility serve as a location for events.

People use Dove Pointe for occasions such as weddings, retirement parties, or board meetings. "The prices are competitive," points out Hackett, " but anyone booking an event at Dove Pointe has to agree that their caterer will hire some of the people from Dove Pointe."

Hackett and his colleagues wanted to make sure that the name of the building and its appearance wouldn't be a barrier to having the community use it. The name "Dove Pointe" is neutral enough so that it sounds appropriate for all kinds of events.

Having part of the facility available to rent out for events is a win-win for everyone. The community has an attractive location for events, and for the developmentally disabled or mentally retarded, it's a perfect opportunity to get vocational training in a real world situation. It's also a wonderful opportunity to earn a pay check.

Perhaps best of all, it's an opportunity for to interact in the world of the non-disabled. "We want to bring the community into Dove Point, " explains Hackett. "Our 'consumers' are happier and better able to grow when they are interacting with the community."

Dove Pointe has an outstanding record of helping people who would otherwise be institutionalized. Some, with the help of vocational guidance counselors get simple outside jobs. Sharon and Carol, for instance, wipe tables and bus at a local fast food.

"Their employer loves them because, among other reasons, they've worked there for 10 years and there's no job turnover," boasts Hackett.

Others may not be able to work outside the premises. Still, they get to socialize with others and are treated with dignity.

The humanitarian benefits of Dove Pointe are beyond calculation, and the community also benefits. "Community placement, on average, results in a significant cost savings over institutionalization," says Hackett.

The Staff and consumers at Dove Pointe hope that you will come in, whether it's just for a cup of coffee or maybe to buy a gift from their gift shop. Or maybe you'd like to plan an event for anywhere from 20 to 300 people.

The address is 1225 Mount Herman Road in Salisbury.

For more information, contact Don Hackett at 410 341 4472.

Wish List:

Vans that are wheel chair accessible (or contributions towards buying them)
Copier
Wheel Chairs
Small refrigeration units
Computers with Windows 98
Horticulture Supplies, including plants and cuttings Arts and Craft Supplies
Lawn Mowers