September 2022

The Health & Wellness Event was a great success!  The first of many Day of Caring activities!

On Saturday, August 20, 2022, several community organizations came together to hold a Back to School Community Lunch at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hagerstown. The event was coordinated by Deirdre Norris, founder of It’s A Blessing to Be A Blessing. With over 250+ people in attendance, local children and their families were able to partake of a hot meal, secure backpacks filled with school supplies, gently used clothing and shoes, hygiene supplies and more, all for FREE!

With the help of community organizations and individuals such as Lydia’s Closet, Penny Mart, New Beginnings Christian Fellowship-MD, Lions Club of Chewsville, Covenant Life Church International, United Way of Washington County, Maryland, Sabrina Morningstar and family, Little Free Library #105330, Patriot Federal Credit Union, and CASA, Inc., these families received much needed items that they might not otherwise have been able to afford. This event clearly demonstrates that by working together, we can make a stronger impact toward improving the lives of some of the most vulnerable residents in our community!

Thank you for thinking of us

Julia Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center!

We'll certainly be putting these school supplies in the right hands.

HOW TO APPLY - URGENT NEED GRANTS

Applications are available each month for nonprofits who experience unplanned expenses due to unanticipated program needs, emergencies, or underlying situations.

Applications are always due on the 27th of each month. For more information and to apply, visit:

https://www.unitedwaywashcounty.org/form/live-united-urgent-needs-grant

Spotlight ~ Success Story

Financial Stability

Financial Education Partnership

Washington County

Reach, Horizon Goodwill Industries, Interfaith Service Coalition & Lasting Change

Reach of Washington County

A student was searching for a job and now has a full-time job. He says he now can start saving.

A young lady in class was pregnant and applied for a Chime card which helps to build your credit. She received her card and started to save for the arrival of her baby.

A student in the class had problems opening a bank account. I told him about a bank in Hagerstown that does “second chances." He was able to open an account and he boasts “now I can save for a car”!

Horizon Goodwill Industries

In this quarter HGI supported thirty-four individuals in gaining community employment in Washington County at an average starting wage of $16.73/hr. and 36 hours per week.

Interfaith Service Coalition

William is a 22- year-old man who recently started a job at the Dollar General in Hancock. He does not own a car so he must live near his job. He came to Interfaith inquiring about places for rent. Initially, we were not aware of any vacancies but soon after we received notice that one of our tenants above Martha’s House would be moving out of state. I contacted William about the upcoming vacancy, and we met to discuss the possibility of him renting the unit. We worked on a plan for success that included him completing the financial literacy training. As part of the intake, I made him aware of resources available to him such as SNAP, MEAP and the Interfaith food programs. William is settled in well and remains employed at Dollar General.

Lasting Change Recovery Solutions for Women (W House)

 “I finished the financial literacy course and now I have started a new job. I am excited to open a bank account and to start saving for a car. I wish there were follow up classes that went more into budgeting because that still feels really overwhelming to me and I worry I will not have enough money.

We also learned about our credit and why it is important. I have looked at my credit report and want to start working to pay down some debt. I am grateful for this class!”

Spotlight ~ Success Story

Education

Common Cents Community Building Initiative

 Discovery Station

Washington County Free Library

 The Judy Center of Washington County

APPLES for Children

Together with Families

 Big Brothers Big Sisters, Inc.

Discovery Station at Hagerstown, Inc. is a hands-on museum that provides life-long learning experiences to thousands of children and families each year. We create an environment that stimulates curiosity for discovery, exploration, and further investigation through exhibits and programs that focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) principles.

The museum’s primary audience is children and families, and those that reside in ALICE or low-income households. The museum has created exhibits and programming to provide this population with hands-on activities that simulate real-world experiences while enabling them to have economic and educational mobility. Discovery Station focuses on supporting early learning objectives to support school readiness, including early literacy, STEAM concepts (including financial literacy), and social-emotional development using a two-generational approach that recognizes and supports parents/adult caregivers as a child’s first teacher.

With the “Common Cents Community Building Initiative”, Discovery Station has partnered with the Washington County Free Library, the Judy Center of Washington County, APPLES for Children, Together with Families, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Inc. to:

• Establish new partnerships with childcare centers to provide free resources to support kindergarten readiness
• Develop and distribute 6,000 STEAM and financial literacy kits and activities to children, and then supplementary resources for parents and caregivers to provide quality learning instruction in the home and on-site at organization centers and childcare agencies by June 2022.
• Offer families and organizations weekly ZOOM instruction support to fill in distance learning gaps through June 2022.

Each of the partners in this initiative support families and children in Washington County, MD. Many of these organizations focus on low-income and ALICE households.

Discovery Station and its collaborative partners successfully distributed the 6,000 STEAM and financial literacy kits as part of the Common Cents Community Building Initiative. The museum and its partners are compiling the feedback from parents, caregivers, and childcare support staff. The feedback has overwhelmingly been positive, highlighting the importance and impact that this initiative is having in Washington County. We have had many of our families who participated in the kits last year reach out to the museum to see if they could participate in the second year of kit distributions so that younger siblings can build on the kindergarten readiness skills as well with our kits.

“We have been getting kits from Discovery Station and to me they give us time to bond together and do fun science experiments as well as learn something new about the world around us. Each activity has been super fun and entertaining. I have kept the instructions for the kits and I really look forward to being able to do them all over again when my son is old enough to understand them and hear my daughter say "Oh man mom, I remember when we did this!" and to see how her interpretation of the kit had changed.” – Elissa Electrick

Washington County Job Opportunity

Transit Communications & Outreach Manager

Posted: August 24, 2022

Location: Washington County

Type: Full Time

Department: Transit

DEADLINE: 09/07/2022 04:00 PM

Apply Now

The American Red Cross is asking eligible individuals to ensure blood is on the shelves this fall by donating in September. 

Here is a list of drives for the Washington County in September .

• 9/06/22 Hub City Vineyard 11:30-5:00
• 9/07/22 RSMO Hagerstown 12:30-6:30
• 9/12/22 Boonsboro American Legion 12:00-6:00
• 9/14/22 RSMO Hagerstown 12:00-6:00
• 9/19/22 Funkstown American Legion 12:00-6:00
• 9/21/22 RSMO Hagerstown 12:00-6:00
• 9/23/22 Bethel UMC 11:30-5:00
• 9/28/22 RSMO Hagerstown 12:00-6:00
• 9/29/22 Robinwood Professional Center 10:30-4:30 

Your BloodLink:

https://rcblood.org/3KquPtD

Go For Bold - A Healthy Washington County

Weight is a sensitive issue for all of us, but Meritus health is dedicated to improving your health and the health of this great community! Will you join today by registering for Healthy Washington County’s free initiative: Go for Bold: Do, Eat, and Believe in a healthy Washington County? Thank you for your support in a Healthy Washington County! For any additional questions, please feel free to reach out to Douglas A. Spotts MD, FAAFP, FCPP, Meritus Health - Chief Health Officer, 301-790-9317. Flyer.

Four Future Educators Earn

“Equity in Education” Scholarship

HARC is excited to announce that four awards were given for the firsts annual Equity in Education Scholarship, totaling $16,500 in awards. $7,500 in funds were provided by Rise Up Hagerstown and generous individuals donated an additional $9,000 so we could fully fund all four recipients. Three of the 2022 winners are in the Maryland Accelerates Program with Frostburg University at USMH and, if successful, will earn a Master of Arts in Teaching degree in just one year. Meet these three incredible women: Read more

God Wanted Me When the

Foster-Care System Didn’t

By Tori Hope Petersen

Christianity Today

"America claims to not have orphanages, but our group homes are actually quite similar. Growing up, I lived in one with nine other young women who had absorbed a message of worthlessness from the foster care system." Read more.

Volunteer Tutors Needed

The Literacy Council of Washington County is looking for people who would like to become volunteer tutors!! You don't need experience teaching or tutoring!! You DO need patience, enthusiasm, dedication, a measure of organization, and cultural sensitivity. We'll provide free training via Zoom, ongoing support, free materials to use with your student, and tutor gatherings. The rewards are many!! As a tutor, you will make a difference in the life of another person, their family, the available workforce in the county, and the skill level of that workforce. Contact the Literacy Council for more info, 301-739-4208 or office@literacyofwcmd.org. Flyer.

Silent Movies - September 9

Friday, September 9, 7:00 pm

St. John’s Episcopal Church

101 S. Prospect Street, Hagerstown, MD

Silent movies - “The Haunted House” (1921) starring Buster Keaton, and “Haunted Spooks” (1920) starring Harold Lloyd and Mildred Davis; and silent cartoon - “Alice the Whaler” (1927) by Walt Disney. Performed by Dave Calendine, organist for the Fox Theater, Detroit. $10 suggested donation. Information: 301-733-2560 x 108

"Second Chances" Concert

Sunday, September 11, 4:00 pm

John Wesley United Methodist Church

129 N. Potomac Street, Hagerstown

John Wesley United Methodist Church welcomes the Christian musical group ‘Second Chances’. ‘Second Chances’ is a diverse group of singers who love to share the greatest gift, the Gospel message, through their gift of music. They sing a variety of classic, gospel, and traditional hymns to glorify God and spread his message. A freewill offering will be taken, which is used by the group to purchase gifts and support needy families at Christmas and to give back. A reception will follow. For More Information call 301-733-0391. Flyer.