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“We are FAMILY”: South End Together & Thriving
“I saw so many of my neighbors here today, some I haven’t seen in a long time. We had the most fun dancing with the band and catching up. I don’t go out much anymore, but I am so glad we did! Today was just what we needed,” stated Pam, a longtime South End resident describing Saturday’s event.
The eight annual South End Community Block Party was held this past Saturday, September 16, at Hagerstown City Park, located in the South End of Hagerstown. Hosted by Bester Community of Hope, an initiative of San Mar Family and Community Services, and in collaboration with Hagerstown City Parks and Recreation and their annual Fast Fest, created an all-day family friendly event culminating in fireworks. About 2000 people were in attendance during the four-hour celebration supported by the Washington County Department of Human Services, the Alice Virginia and David W. Fletcher Foundation and the City of Hagerstown.
Headlining this year’s event was tri-state area favorite, Groovalicious, a disco tribute act playing all the hits from the days of bell bottoms, platform shoes and mirror balls! Almost forty resource vendors provided critical community resources in areas such as health, education, community services, childcare, basic needs and supplies along with local faith connections through non-stigmatizing and fun opportunities. Local non-profit ‘It’s a Blessing to be a Blessing’ provided free food to ensure cost was no factor for families looking to create great memories together. Kids and families spent quality time together playing laser tag, axe throwing, family games, and even meeting some of their favorite Star Wars characters thanks to partnerships with Joint Training Facility and Heroes for Hire. A clothing giveaway was provided through a collaboration with St. John’s Episcopal Church and Families Helping Families.
Newly hired Neighborhood Partnership Coordinator for Bester Community of Hope, Alicia Taluskie, stated, “With this being my first opportunity to participate in the South End Community Block Party, most memorable to me was seeing all the ways in which our community came together to offer positive supports and resources to families. Watching families having fun and making lifelong memories together was something to treasure.”
Bester Community of Hope is a community initiative of San Mar Family & Community Services, focused on strengthening and improving outcomes for families who live in the South End of Hagerstown, Maryland. This effort is made possible by the significant support and collaboration of the Washington County Department of Social Services, and their focus on prevention and upstream efforts as a way to make a collective impact for families. Strategic neighborhood programs and efforts are made possible by philanthropic support from the Alice Virginia and David W. Fletcher Foundation. For more information about this holistic approach to supporting families and communities, please visit www.besterhope.org.
8th Annual South End Community Block Party set for 9/16
PRESS RELEASE
***For Immediate Release***
Bester Community of Hope, a San Mar initiative (BCOH), is announcing their 8th Annual South End Community Block Party at City Park this September. Together with City Fall Fest, BCOH celebrating life in the heart of the South End of Hagerstown on Saturday September 16, 2023 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. The neighborhood festival is traditionally held each year at the beginning of Fall, and offers a free, family fun-filled roster of opportunities.
Families will have access to a vast array of local resource vendors and entertainment. “We are expecting another outrageously fun event this year with exciting family entertainment for all ages and connection with over 40 local vendors,” said Jen Younker, Director of Bester Community of Hope. For the first time, Groovalicious, a popular 70’s dance band and disco revival, will be hitting the stage during the Block Party playing all the hits from the days of bell bottoms, platform shoes and mirror ball. Attendee favorites, Heros for Hire, will be joining once again with surprise characters greeting fans and posing for fun photo opportunities. Also coming back is the Joint Training Facility providing larger than life fun with oversized games and inflatables. All activities are free!
The Annual South End Community Block Party was first held in 2016 to bring the community together and begin developing a shared vision for South End neighborhoods. After the first event at the Bester Elementary School field attendance grew each year. The following years Block Party events have been held at the Hagerstown City Park with thousands in attendance, a highlight of the South End community, allowing a greater number of children and families to attend. The event aims to honor the strong connections in the community as it celebrates the vibrancy of the families that reside in the South End community. Funding and support for the Annual South End Block Party and focused South End neighborhood efforts is provided on behalf of the Alice Virginia & David W. Fletcher Foundation and the Hagerstown Community & Economic Development, as well as an ongoing partnership with the Washington County Department of Human Services to support stronger families and thriving communities. Inquiries regarding the event can be directed to connect@besterhope.org or by calling (240) 513-6370.
ON THE WILD SIDE: WHERE FAMILIES COME TO HAVE FUN, LEARN, & GROW
Spring has sprung with Babypalooza, a free community baby shower once again hosted by Bester Community of Hope for the 8th consecutive year! This year approximately 500 young children, parents and expecting parents were welcomed at Bester Elementary for a safari themed fun-packed day. The main hallway and media room were filled with laughter and learning as families made their way through the Early Learning Carnival, where seven local early intervention agencies created an environment to explore development and growth in an enriching way. Families were able to partake in a sensory walk, safari photo booth, create animal puzzles, make sound shakers, go on a letter hunt, and listen to a story.
As families transitioned from this area and made their way to the gym, they were encouraged to participate of workshops on a variety of topics such as: financial literacy, safe sleep, reproductive help, lactation support, and father engagement. Our partners at Healthy Families curated a highly qualified roster of local speakers that were readily available to have meaningful conversations with parents.
To be strong parents and caregivers it is utmost important to practice self – care, and that was the main goal at the Parental Resiliency Room, hosted by staff of the Jack E. Barr Center for Well Being. Parents and caregivers were encouraged to take some deep breaths and build a personal “tool-kit” of simple and inexpensive techniques that can be incorporated at home without much preparation and even in the care of a very busy little one.
Another way families can remain strong and connected is by creating meaningful memories of times spent together. At Babypalooza guests were able to take a family portrait as a memento of their time at the event.
When families reached the gym, they were welcomed by close to 40 community resource vendors, all eager to provide critical information on concrete items and opportunities available in our community to expand the network of support. Everyone needs help some times and knowing where to go and how to access these services is critical for overcoming adversity.
Community partner Brittany Wedd, Executive Director of Children In Need, shared: “We so enjoyed participating in the 2023 Babypalooza at Bester Elementary School! We spoke with families about our programs and the final count on distributed items was: 2,100 diapers, 48 containers of formula, 552 baby clothes, 20 burping pads, and 81 books. Thank you so much to Bester Community of Hope for allowing us the opportunity to speak with more families about our services and to all of our adorable helpers who helped us hand out books!”
Every great event has food and prizes and this one did not fall short on that. Aetna Better Health of Maryland, CVS Health, and Patriot Federal Credit Union sponsored a healthy lunch during the event. The lunch was catered by Chef Tammy Twigg and the students of the WCPS Culinary Arts Program at the Boyd J. Michael, III Technical High School. Outside of the many knickknacks and giveaways provided by vendors, the event featured a raffle. Raffle items were donated by some of our community partners and others were sponsored by Bester Community of Hope. Every adult in attendance was given three tickets to attempt their luck at winning one of the coveted prizes. The drawing occured at the end of the event and winners will be contacted to claim their prizes if they weren’t present.
Overall, the day brought together families and stakeholders in an atmosphere of carefree celebration as we all welcomed the wildest bunch of little ones into our hearts and community.
Bester Community of Hope provides support and opportunities to families in the South End of Hagerstown through partnership and funding by the Washington County Department of Social Services and Alice Virginia and David W. Fletcher Foundation. If you are interested in learning more about these efforts and others, please connect with us at: www.besterhope.org, 240-513-6370, or connect@besterhope.org.
We are the WORLD, invest in FAMILY
On April 22, 2023, Bester Community of Hope (BCOH) was proud to sponsor the Agency’s Annual Family Day Celebration at Pediatric Movement Center in Hagerstown, MD. South End families were invited to join BCOH staff for an evening of family fun designed to highlight strengths, celebrate growth, and build social connections. The theme of this year’s Family Day Celebration was Earth Day; We are the WORLD, invest in your FAMILY.
Guests were welcomed by BCOH Director and resident Monarch Butterfly, Jen Younker. Family portraits were available courtesy of BCOH Intern Kylie Carbaugh. An Earth Day story time was provided by San Mar Family and Community Services Board President, Mr. Mark Halsey who read, “We Are All Connected: Caring For Each Other & The Earth.”
BCOH Care Coordinator Samantha Barrett provided support in the PMC Play Area. Children and families were able to engage in free-play on the colorful and exciting equipment at Pediatric Movement Center, a family-centered Agency with a passion for providing the best care to the children and families in the Tri-state region. Through individualized child-centered practices, PMC empowers children with and without special needs by providing comprehensive therapeutic, recreational, and support services to children and families in Hagerstown. PMC staff are highly trained qualified clinicians and instructors able to assist children in reaching their maximum potential in a safe, loving, and reassuring environment.
In keeping with the Earth Day theme, families navigated through a global map of nature and go-green inspired activities provided by Agency’s Family Support Team centered around the Strengthening Families Protective Factors, the research informed framework developed by the Center for the Study of Social Policy to promote practices that ensure that children and families may thrive, reducing the likelihood of child abuse and neglect.
Protective Factor Activities:
Concrete Support In Times Of Need
Family Support Worker Sarah Banks provided an activity designed to recognize the impact of surge pricing for food on families. Each family was provided an insulated lunch box containing reusable meal prep items including ice packs, a storage container, and silicone pastry liners to use to separate snacks. Attendees’ children were invited to create a healthy to-go lunch for themselves to provide an easy to replicate example of a low-cost child friendly meal. Parents learned about resources available in Washington County specifically in the areas of supplemental food and nutrition resources in addition to a list of discount grocery stores in the area.
Knowledge of Parenting & Child Development
Family Support Worker Teesha Carmon provided an activity designed to educate children about the importance of play in learning. Attendees’ children were able to participate in an activity that centered around recycling. Using a backdrop of a playground scene that was covered with examples of litter, children were able to gather the recyclable materials, sort them into categories, and place the items in the corresponding recycling bin. Upon completion of the recycling activity, children were able to pledge their commitment to making green choices by adding their handprints, name, and an identified way in which they can help to protect the Earth on a large Earth Day poster.
Social-Emotional Competence of Children
Lead Family Support Worker Teri Conrad provided an activity designed to help attendees identify emotions, promote communication, and develop healthy coping skills. Children were eager to share some feelings that might make them feel bad like being sad, angry, or afraid. The children then selected a card from the “ABC’s of Calming Down” to think of some ways to “Up-Cycle” feelings: B-Breathe Deeply, H-Hold a Pet, and parents’/grandparents’ favorite N-Nap. An “Up-Cycle” craft was enjoyed as the children turned milk cartons into windsocks. Using their windsocks, they were encouraged to demonstrate another ABC of Calming Down: D-Dance Around. Children left with the affirmation “I learned healthy ways to talk about and handle my feelings.”
Parental Resilience
Family Support Worker Crystal Maus provided an activity designed to educate parents and children about nurturing resilience. Using Tree of Life symbolism, attendees were able to identify factors which inform a person’s resilience and ways to nurture and support personal growth. Participants were able to gain confidence in sharing their personal stories and practice mindfulness techniques to support healthy relationships and the achievement of personal hopes and dreams. A “Seed Library” was provided to families to highlight the benefits of gardening for individuals including mental and physical health. The activity culminated with the message that much like in the garden, individual and family growth is possible when people are flexible, cared for, and able to adapt. To support Parental Resilience, parents were able to enjoy a 15-minute massage provided by licensed massage Therapist, Ms. Ola.
Social Connections.
Neighborhood Partnership Coordinator Joan Balbuena provided an activity designed to build and enhance social connections among families to create a support network for parents in the community. Meaningful friendships and natural supports for families are vital factors needed to thrive. Social connections guarantee that families have access to a network of people that will provide support when adversity knocks on the door, and to celebrate achievements made when balance is regained. During Family Day, parents and their children worked together to build bird feeders at the Social Connections station. With the emphasis on strengthening and nourishing relationships, families decorated and assembled the bird feeders to bring a pop of color and joy to their green spaces at home.
Every family in attendance was sent home with activity materials, household and hygiene items, and meals provided by BCOH from Chick-fil-A in Hagerstown. The evening wrapped up with Mother Nature herself sending families on their way under a beautiful full double rainbow, reminding guests of the real importance of Earth Day, and that there is beauty where there is hope. Bester Community of Hope provides support and opportunities to families in the South End of Hagerstown through partnership and funding by the Washington County Department of Social Services. If you are interested in learning more about these efforts and others, please connect with us at: www.besterhope.org, 240-513-6370, or connect@besterhope.org.
Building Bridges from ‘Surviving to Thriving’
Over 600 community members came to the Maryland Theatre on Wednesday, March 29th to learn together practices of how to best respond to the needs of children, families and communities in need. In it’s seventh year sponsored by Bester Community of Hope, a San Mar initiative, the training is designed to bring together diverse community organizations for collective impact in child welfare, through values alignment and system redesign. The training brought back by popular demand keynote speaker Father Gregory Boyle of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles who previously presented at the training in 2017, and he was joined this year by Kevin Fong of the Kahakulei Institute, Philonise Floyd of the Philonise and Keeta Floyd Institute for Social Change, Corey Best of Mining for Gold, and national author and speaker Josh Shipp.
San Mar Family & Community Services CEO Keith Fanjoy framed the context for the day as moving towards a system of care that sees building thriving communities for families proactively at the same level of priority as responding to crisis, and that In order to do “that shift from surviving to thriving means we will have to build new bridges instead of only helping families across the old ones.” The Mayor of Hagerstown Tekesha Martinez, who shared her own personal journey of childhood adversity to public leadership, introduced national foster care speaker Josh Shipp. Shipp captivated the crowd with his experience of being in the foster care system in Oklahoma and the work of his social worker Patsy, and specifically the impact of two caring foster parents in his life. He provided many examples and techniques he found helpful for himself and others, as well as shared a pivotal moment where he made bad choices and his foster father demanded, “You gotta get it through your thick head son! We don’t see you as a problem. I know you think we do, something to be fixed. We don’t. Son, we see you as an opportunity.” Shipp’s overarching message was the power of one relationship on the outcomes for children. After his talk concluded, Fanjoy shared the amazing realization that Josh’s social worker Patsy when he was a child with Casey Family Programs was in fact the first ever speaker at the Bester Community of Hope training seven years earlier. Shipp also spent the afternoon working with a small group of teachers at South Hagerstown High School regarding key concepts of working with teenagers.
Kevin John Fong spent his session teaching and coaching audience members on a journey of deeper understanding of their own natural gifts and the undiscovered strengths of those around them through the lens of his Hawaiian culture. He walked the crowd through his experiences and worked with them to begin a dialogue with their neighbor about their “kuleana, your unique contribution” and asked them to share with each other a time when they used it to make a difference in someone’s life. He provided various tools and practices to center around beliefs and priorities for healing. He also emphasized the critical importance of being in “right relationship” or “pono” with the work that is being pursued, because without it “the work is so much harder”. But these tools can lead to “getting things done” and ultimately leads to kinship.
Philonise Floyd shared his journey since his brother George Floyd’s murder and implored the audience to do more than simply think about change. “Everybody came here to figure it out and get an understanding, but I need everybody in here who is not black to put yourself in a black person’s shoes. I need you to visualize the things we have to tell our kids when they leave the house.” In their dialogue on families and communities, Corey Best challenged the status quo and the complacency that perpetuates racism not only in systems but placed that larger responsibility on the silence of the individual in key moments, as well shared his belief in the negative outcomes from diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. He also added, “Who gets to define thriving? I know in my community and [Phil’s] community there’s always been love, there’s always been compassion.”
The program concluded with a soaring talk from Father Gregory Boyle emphasizing the power of kinship and cherished belonging with community. He described the role of Homeboy as “the front porch of the house that everyone wants to live in. Sure, we help folks, and that’s a message, what if we decided not to demonize anybody and what if we chose to invest in each other.” He told one story after another of gang members in his program in tremendous adversity who benefitted from his innovative and common-sense approach to a loving support system. While on the outside some saw the rough exterior of tattooed gang member at Homeboy Industries, they saw their strengths, including a gang member named Mario whose exterior would hide the most humble and loving person to those that didn’t know him. He asked people to remember that “we belong to each other” and we need believe that “every human is unshakably good”. Boyle shared that Mario taught others that, “Only the soul that ventilates the world with tenderness, has any chance of changing the world… The only non-delusional response to everything is kindness.”
This program led by the Bester Community of Hope initiative was made possible by an ongoing partnership with multiple community stakeholders, and lead support from the Washington County Department of Social Services and the Alice Virginia and David W. Fletcher Foundation. To learn more about the work of Bester Community of Hope, visit www.besterhope.org
Photography courtesy of Kevin Gilbert
