Customer Profile

Name: Target Community & Educational Services, Inc.

Location: Westminster, MD and Gaithersburg, MD

Size: Serves 150+ individuals

Services Offered: Adult Meaningful Day Services (Day Habilitation, Community Development Services, Employment), Community Living, Personal Supports

How They Use Kibu: Educational and exercise content in adult programs

At Kibu, we’re honored to collaborate with organizations making meaningful impacts in their communities! Target Community & Educational Services, Inc. (Target Community) is a Maryland-based nonprofit whose mission is to empower individuals with disabilities to live full and productive lives.

We spoke with Pennie Staup, an Adult Day (AD) Instructor, and Brandi Riley, another AD Instructor at Target Community, to learn more about their experiences with Kibu and how it’s transforming their programs.

👀 Discovering Kibu

Target Community was introduced to Kibu by a colleague who believed it could enhance their day programs. From the start, Pennie and Brandi were excited to explore the platform. “Our manager told us we were going to try it, and we were on board,” Brandi recalls.

Initially, there were some trainings on how to use Kibu- notably saving videos and connecting it to the TV. “After the first couple tries, we figured it out and really got the hang of it” Pennie shares. Their enthusiasm only grew as they saw how Kibu’s structured lessons, engaging instructors, and interactive content resonated with their members.

“Transitioning to Kibu was a 10 out of 10 in terms of ease,” Pennie says. “But if you ever hit a roadblock, Kibu’s team is always there to help.”

⏳ Saving Time for Staff

One of the biggest benefits of Kibu for Target Community has been the time saved on lesson planning. “Kibu’s lesson plans make things so much easier,” Pennie explains. “It allows us to focus on engaging with our members instead of searching for materials.”

With Kibu, staff can rely on pre-structured PDFs with discussion questions and activities that boost participation. “Our folks love answering questions and being part of the class,” Brandi adds. The more interactive the lesson, the better!

Before Kibu, staff often searched for YouTube videos and supplemental materials, which was time-consuming. Now, Kibu provides a ready-to-go framework, making it easy for instructors to facilitate high-quality sessions.

Life Skills & Job Development classes come with free Lesson Plan PDFs to guide your staff

👔 Building Life & Job Skills

Target Community has integrated Kibu into its daily programs, particularly in life skills and employment training. One standout example was a lesson on workplace etiquette.

“One of our classes covered how to interact with customers at work. We went through different scenarios, and our members immediately engaged,” Pennie shares. “When I would give a negative response, they’d correct me—‘No, that’s not how you talk to a customer!’ They were actively applying what they learned.”

Other key areas of focus include:

Financial Literacy: Learning how to handle money, give back correct change, and budget for shopping trips.

Job Preparation: Lessons on workplace expectations, communication, and professional habits.

Community Engagement: Practicing skills like making restaurant reservations and booking transportation services like Uber.

These lessons have made a tangible difference in members’ confidence and independence. “We’re repeating certain life skills classes for the next 13 weeks so everyone gets a solid foundation,” Pennie explains.

Kibu offers 200+ Life & Job Skill Classes, with more added weekly

🏋️‍♀️ Fitness Becoming Routine

Kibu’s fitness classes have become a staple at Target Community. Before Kibu, they relied on YouTube videos for exercise routines, but something was missing—engagement and familiarity.

“The biggest difference is the interaction,” Brandi says. “With Kibu's Live Classes, it’s not just a random video. Our members recognize and love the Kibu coaches. They call out their names and encourage them. That’s what keeps them engaged.”

Target Community members enjoying seated exercise class and live bingo on Kibu!

Pennie adds, “They love the routine. They know what to expect, and that familiarity is key. Plus, we as staff participate, which makes it even more fun.”

The impact extends beyond exercise. Through Kibu, members have also enjoyed creative activities like origami and art classes. “Origami was a huge hit. We did it multiple times because everyone loved it,” Pennie recalls.

💡 Advice for New Customers

For organizations bringing on Kibu, Pennie and Brandi assembled a list of tips:

Explore the platform thoroughly before introducing it to members.

Engage staff—if staff recognize the time savings and get enthused, members will follow suit.

Use Kibu lesson plans to save time on planning and increase participation.

Emphasize routine—repeating classes helps reinforce learning.

🤝 A Shared Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Target Community is excited for more advanced and independent living content. “We’d love to see more cooking lessons—beyond just microwave meals—to help members become more self-sufficient,” Brandi suggests. Other requests include networking opportunities with other providers, pen pal programs, and more community-based learning experiences.

Kibu remains committed to evolving alongside its customers, ensuring that its content continues to meet the needs of organizations like Target Community. We love you, Pennie and Brandi!! 💙

Are you ready to bring Kibu into your program? Let’s connect and explore how we can work together to empower your staff and enrich the lives of those you serve.