Chimes Inc

Pros

• The reviewer had a great experience.
• It is a nice place to work.
• The services were very extensive and accommodating.
• It was a very good site for folks with disabilities.
• The facilities are great and the staff is warm and kind.
• The company is nice.
• The pay was not bad.
• Music is a good thing.

Cons

• The supervisor had poor communication skills and did not stay in touch.
• The recruiter and supervisor failed to follow up after initial contact.
• They serve cold lunches with no hot meals and are understaffed.
• There is no adequate help for kids with behavioral problems.
• Management lacks training on how to treat employees and how to communicate effectively; benefits are insufficient.
• Qualified employees were fired with almost no notice, contributing to a decline after the CEO change in 2016; unqualified administrators were hired.
• The front desk staff are unprofessional and the staff are rude.
• The company is a horrible place to work, with staff not caring for residents and feedback being ignored.

Review

The collection of reviews presents a broad and sometimes conflicting portrait of experiences with Fort Meade-related employment and with Chimes, a provider noted for services to people with disabilities. Across the different comments, readers encounter both praise and sharp criticisms, often centered on management practices, communication, staffing, and the quality of care or services delivered. The threads weave together a picture of opportunities and challenges that vary widely by role, location, and leadership style.

Several comments focus on the hiring and onboarding process for a custodial position tied to Fort Meade. One reviewer describes a straightforward path: a successful background check and drug test, followed by acceptance of the offer. Yet, even here the narrative turns sour quickly due to poor supervisor communication. The person reports that their supervisor "wouldn't stay in touch," and when they attempted to reach out to the recruiter or supervisor after hearing nothing for a long period, they received no further contact. The takeaway from this thread is a pattern of onboarding gaps and inconsistent follow-through at the hiring stage, which leaves new hires uncertain and frustrated from the outset. The sentiment from this reviewer ultimately colors the job prospect as one they would not recommend.

Care for children and the quality of day-to-day operations at some of the facilities are another recurring theme. Multiple reviewers allege that lunches are cold rather than hot, with understaffing contributing to a sense that not all children receive timely or adequate support. One reviewer specifically mentions behavioral challenges among the children and asserts there is "no help" available, raising concerns about safety, supervision, and the overall standard of care. These comments imply systemic strain in some environments where staff capacity and resourcing appear insufficient to meet the needs of the clients served.

Amid the more critical assessments, there are also positive notes that speak to strong local strengths. Several reviewers describe "great experiences," praising aspects such as the atmosphere, warm facilities, and friendly or kind staff. Others celebrate the cultural or programmatic offerings - one reviewer mentions music as a beneficial element, while another highlights "great facilities with a warm and kind staff." A recurring line of rhetoric in these replies is that, when conditions align, the work can be meaningful, satisfying, and even enjoyable; some describe working for Chimes as more than just a job, calling it a lifestyle or pointing to extensive and accommodating services that can be a significant draw for people who value a mission-driven environment.

A particularly detailed critique centers on the long tenure and later decline of Chimes following a leadership change in 2016. One reviewer reflects positively on a 17-year tenure, noting that it was a very good site for individuals with disabilities. However, after the CEO change in 2016, the agency's trajectory shifted dramatically: qualified employees were fired with little notice, leading to a mass exodus of experienced staff who either left voluntarily or were terminated. The reviewer stresses that the new leadership's choices wasted money on administrators who did not perform, and that even a previously strong principal overseeing a school was removed. The implication is that leadership instability at the top cascaded into operational difficulties, ultimately eroding the confidence of longtime workers and raising concerns about the quality of care for the clients served.

Several comments voice strong distrust and dissatisfaction with frontline interactions and administrative conduct. A post complains of a front desk staffer who is unprofessional, paired with a general impression that staff are rude, advising readers not to send a loved one to the facility. Other reviewers describe late arrivals and managers who "make excuses" for not relieving staff on time, which reinforces a sense of organizational inefficiency and poor workplace culture. A darker note is struck by the insistence that the company is not a good one, and that the phone experience can be fraught with rudeness and condescension, including accusations that job listings do not accurately reflect who would be considered for a role. Taken together, these anecdotes paint a picture of poor communication, inconsistent service, and a lack of reliable professional standards in some settings.

Even in the midst of criticism, some reviewers offer glimmers of positive engagement and personal connections. One commenter recounts a positive statistical detail: the work and pay were not bad during a stint at the Ravens stadium, suggesting that compensation and workload can be reasonable in certain contexts. Others mention that the work environment can feel rewarding or pleasant when the organization is functioning well, with praise for supportive coworkers and a generally welcoming atmosphere in particular locations. A few reviews close on a more affirmative note, describing the company as a "nice" organization and a place with potential, even if there are notable caveats to consider.

Overall, the reviews collectively present a spectrum of experiences that prospective employees or clients would do well to consider carefully. The strongest takeaways center on the variability of management quality and communication - from onboarding through day-to-day operations - and the impact this variability has on morale, staffing, and the quality of care or services rendered. Potential applicants or family members evaluating these organizations are encouraged to seek up-to-date information about current leadership, staffing levels, and training practices, and to ask direct questions about onboarding timelines, supervisory communication, care standards, and how the organization addresses concerns about safety and quality. The mixed feedback underscores that outcomes can depend heavily on location, leadership, and team dynamics, making thorough due diligence essential.

Located in Reisterstown, Maryland, this area offers a range of amenities and services that cater to senior living. With a variety of restaurants such as Harryman House Grill, Chick-Fil-A, and Full Moon Pub & Grill nearby, residents can enjoy dining options within a short distance. In terms of healthcare, there are several physicians' offices including Katzen Eye Group and Koman Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, as well as pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens for convenient access to medical care and prescriptions. Places of worship like Bridgeway Community Church provide spiritual support, while parks like Northwest Regional Park offer opportunities for outdoor recreation. For entertainment, seniors can visit the AMC Owings Mills 17 theater or relax at cafes such as Panera Bread and Starbucks. With easy access to transportation at the Lutherville Light Rail Station just 10.6 miles away, this area provides a comfortable and convenient setting for senior living.

Restaurants

• Harryman House Grill (0.4 miles)
• McDonald's (0.9 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1 miles)
• Full Moon Pub & Grill (2.7 miles)
• Stanford Kitchen (3.3 miles)
• Jose Tequilas (3.6 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (3.7 miles)

Physicians

• Katzen Eye Group (0.4 miles)
• Clinical Associates (0.8 miles)
• Koman Orthopedics and Sports Medicine (0.9 miles)
• Richard J Kuntz (3.3 miles)
• Patient First - Owings Mills (4.1 miles)
• The Physicians Pavilion At Owings Mills (4.7 miles)
• Dr Pearlman Office (5.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Bridgeway Community Church - Owings Mills/Reisterstown Campus (2.3 miles)
• Greater Baltimore Temple (4.5 miles)
• Trinity Lutheran Church (8.5 miles)
• Hampstead Baptist Church (8.5 miles)
• Crossroads Community Church (10.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Jason Pharmaceuticals (3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.1 miles)
• Wegmans (4.2 miles)
• Rite Aid (4.6 miles)
• Walgreens (6.5 miles)
• Martin's Pharmacy (7.7 miles)
• Walgreens (7.7 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Owings Mills 17 (4.1 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (4.3 miles)
• Starbucks (7.8 miles)
• Panera Bread (9.2 miles)
• French Twist Cafe (10.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (10.5 miles)

Parks

• Northwest Regional Park (4.8 miles)
• Meadowood Regional Park (8.7 miles)
• Freedom Park (9.8 miles)
• Piney Run Park (10.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Johns Hopkins Medicine at Green Spring Station (8.6 miles)
• Lifebridge Health Campus Service (8.8 miles)
• Lifebridge Health (9.3 miles)
• Bon Secours Health System (10.2 miles)

Transportation

• Lutherville Light Rail Station (10.6 miles)