Bester Community of Hope
Cultivating Hope & Well-Being in Children, Families & Communities, Hagerstown MD.
Monday, May 9, 2016
By Tamela Baker, The Herald-Mail Media
When D. Michael Piercy became director of the Washington County Department of Social Services, he knew he had big shoes to fill.
His predecessor, David Engle, had held the position for 27 years, while implementing new programs and overseeing existing ones that affected thousands of county residents.
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On Monday, March 21, social workers, educators and more filled the gymnasium of Bester Elementary School as leading trauma experts from across the nation linked findings from the ACE Study (Adverse Childhood Experiences) with staggering proof of health, social, and economic problems resulting later in life. The research, conducted over a 10-year period, by Dr. Vincent Felitti, one of the conference speakers, involved over 17,000 participants and has become influential in demonstrating the need for effectively responding to childhood traumas early.
The conference, sponsored by San Mar’s Bester Community of Hope initiative, the Washington County Department of Social Services, Washington County Public Schools, The Alice Virginia and David W. Fletcher Foundation, and Casey Family Programs had over 400 in attendance.
December 3, 2015
By Kyle Boulier, WHAG
The PTA at Bester Elementary hosted a fundraiser event called “Comfy Cozy Night” for the first time Thursday night.
October 26, 2015
By CJ Lovelace, The Herald-Mail Media
The child-welfare system in America is shifting, and the top executive at San Mar Children’s Home said Monday that research is showing that children tend to respond better to interventions when assistance is made available within existing family and community support systems.
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Monday, May 9, 2016
By Julie Greene, The Herald-Mail Media
A children’s train, a dunking booth, live music and hot dogs were among the offerings the Alice Virginia and David W. Fletcher Branch offered its neighbors Sunday during the downtown Hagerstown library’s second annual block party.
June 10, 2015
By Sherry Greenfield, The Herald-Mail Media
Don Thomas, a former NASA astronaut, touched down Wednesday at Bester Elementary School in Hagerstown’s South End to talk about his experiences in space and offer words of wisdom to the outgoing fifth-grade class.
