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On Thursday, close to 100 leaders including representatives from the Governor’s Office for Children gathered at Meritus Park to announce signature investments in the South End of the City of Hagerstown through Governor Wes Moore’s signature policy, the ENOUGH Act. The award originally announced at a press conference with Governor Moore on December 12th, will be overseen by the San Mar Family & Community Services initiative known as Bester Community of Hope.

The kick-off event highlighted the history of the Bester Community of Hope effort focused on prevention and root causes, and the next steps to fill strategic community gaps. It also highlighted the need for a marriage between the needs of downtown economic development and the needs of current families living in the community with a goal to move the South End from “Surviving to Thriving”. The initial award of $3 million, will expand to $6 million in FY26, with additional funding potential the following two years, focused on tackling generational poverty and shifting long-term outcomes for families.

BCOH plans to spend the month of February finalizing contracts with partner agencies and working with partners to recruit staff and residents to join the comprehensive effort. The group will post the initial committee structure, members and leadership table to the community at the end of February and plans to aggressively pursue implementation throughout the Spring. There will be a variety of information and opportunities initially shared through besterhope.org website, social media and other outlets. The initial five areas of focus from the needs assessment include: Housing, Poverty & Concrete Supports, Workforce Development, Mental Health & Substance Use, and Child care. These areas will be targeted within a resident driven framework of neighborhood improvements of the compliment not only services to children and families but addressing the lived environment and spaces that residents live and play. Only about 15% of the grant program will support new staffing, whereas the vast majority of initial funding will go directly towards investments in families, neighborhoods and their identified needs. The initial funding and partner agencies include but are not limited to:

Resident Driven Neighborhood Opportunities – Bester Community of Hope, a San Mar Initiative

• Neighborhood Revitalization Zones – Focused on arts & culture, belonging, environmental and safety improvements. Creating spaces for families.
• Annual Special Events – South End Block Party, Babypalooza, and new signature resident events
• Annual community training and evidence-based practices
• Lead Neighborhood Ambassador
• Six Neighborhood Ambassadors/ 20 hours monthly
• Parent Peer Navigator (2 positions)
• Data & Neighborhood Impact manager
• Neighborhood Partnership Coordinator (core funding)

Housing

• Housing support moving from emergency assistance to home ownership, with a goal of serving existing South End residents to plant roots from renter to owner. Washington County Community Action Council (WCCAC)
• South End Housing Navigator (WCCAC)

Poverty

• ENOUGH Family Subsidy – Incentives for working poor between 125% and 200% of poverty to access financial assistance to support basic needs while pursuing education and workforce development for a sustainable living wage. The initial target is 150 families with focus on childcare, transportation, and food. Consultation from UMD Innovation Institute to blend access to opportunity with accountability metrics.
• After school subsidy to underwrite enrichment clubs for school-age youth in South End; Cash N’ Dreams Scholarships for SHHS

Substance Use Support and Education

• Two Care Coordinators supporting Parents and Youth impacted by Substance Use (Potomac Community Services)

Trauma and Grief

• South End Bereavement Coordinator (Hospice of Washington County)

Concrete Supports

• Mobile Resource delivery vehicle including bright start newborn supplies (WCCAC)
• South End Mobile Resource Coordinator (WCCAC)
• Bilingual Community Worker- 2 positions (Hagerstown Area Religious Council & Asian American Center of Frederick)
• Resource Wagons for Young Families (Children in Need)
• South End Hygiene Supplies for Families (United Way of Washington County)

San Mar Family & Community Services

• ENOUGH Subsidy Manager
• ENOUGH Grant Finance Manager
• Community Solutions Hub data portal – ENOUGH performance measures

Workforce Development & Child Care

Planning two new roles – Processing Coordinator, Business Development Manager to support expanded childcare resources (Partner to be decided)

Interested in learning more and getting involved? Reach out here: [email protected]

Check out today’s front page story from the Herald Mail Media by Julie Greene: Hagerstown’s South End to Benefit from Millions through Enough Act Anti-Poverty Grant

The Governor’s Office for Children funded this project under award number 2025- ENGH-008. All points of view in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of any State agency.

Photography courtesy of Wertman Photography

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has announced the inaugural class of 27 ENOUGH grant recipients for his signature anti-poverty initiative, with the South End of the City of Hagerstown and the Bester Community of Hope initiative as the identified Community Quarterback for a Track Three implementation grant. With an initial award amount of $3 million amongst a network of local stakeholders, and potential expansion in future years as implementation deepens, the San Mar Family & Community Services program joins both Cherry Hill Strong and Park Heights Renaissance in Baltimore as initial Track Three programs.

Governor Moore shared, “We know that there are many root causes of child poverty – and the solutions are unique to the challenges on the ground. So, we are directly partnering in the work to create safe and thriving communities; support healthy and economically secure families; and ensure access to high-quality education. Because partnership produces progress – and nothing else does.”

Since its formal launch in early 2014, the Bester Community of Hope initiative has focused on upstream efforts to meet the needs of families and communities in the South End of Hagerstown. “This amazing grant opportunity recognizes the unique needs facing diverse communities, such as our rural neighborhoods in Hagerstown, Maryland. We’ve been waiting a long time for a day like today,” explained San Mar Family Community Services President and Chief Executive Officer Keith Fanjoy. “ENOUGH will enable San Mar Family and Community Services to deeply address root causes of poverty such as housing and difficult living conditions. Today is about recognizing the quiet persistence and grit of parents who work to open doors of opportunity for their children. And those in the community who listen and sacrifice greatly to join them to break down those barriers to access.”

Bester Community of Hope initiative Director Jen Younker echoed those comments and said, “Thanks to the valiant and transformative leadership of Governor Moore and his administration, the ENOUGH Grant Program will dramatically change the trajectory of our children’s future in Maryland for generations to come. This funding will not only expand our place-based efforts in the South End of Hagerstown and cultivate opportunities for all children to thrive but will empower communities to lead the charge. As the community quarterback, we are eager to collaborate with local residents and community partners to solidify accessible pathways to economic mobility making dreams possible, no matter where you live.”

The Bester Community of Hope team is currently in the preliminary phase of planning a late January convening in the South End of Hagerstown open to the public to share the key details of the initial proposal with stakeholders and the community driven process that will follow. Announcements will be posted at the initiative website besterhope.org, and various other social, digital and print media outlets.

The Governor’s Office for Children funded this project under award number 2025- ENGH-008. All points of view in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of any State agency. Photography courtesy of the Office of the Maryland Governor, managed by the Maryland State Archives.

State of Maryland media releases

Governor Moore Press conference 12/12/24 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tchpSIe8KI4

Governor Wes Moore – (8:25- 27:50); San Mar CEO Keith Fanjoy (35:30-40:30); Harlem Children’s Zone Founder Geoffrey Canada (40:30-48:00)

Governor Moore Press release 12/12/24 https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press/pages/governor-moore-announces-inaugural-enough-grant-awardees.aspx

Governor Moore Press release 12/13/24

https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press/pages/what-they-are-saying-governor-moore-announces-inaugural-enough-grant-awardees.aspx

Hagerstown City Park was the site of the 9th annual South End Community Block Party this past Saturday, September 21, 2024. Bester Community of Hope, an initiative of San Mar Family and Community Services, and in collaboration with Hagerstown City Parks and Recreation’s Fall Fest, hosted a day filled with free, family-friendly activities and events capped off in the evening by a fireworks display. The event welcomed approximately 2000 people during the 4-hour celebration. “I look forward to this event every year! I know this will be a day my daughter and I can enjoy spending time together and having fun,” offered Chris, a longtime South End resident.

Cruel Summer, a live band tribute to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, headlined the event playing over 2 hours of the greatest Taylor Swift’s songs. Over 40 resource vendors attended, providing vital community resources focusing on health, early childhood education, community services, and childcare. Again this year, St. John’s Episcopal Church and Families Helping Families joined forces to provide a free clothing giveaway, while Deirdre “Mama Dee” Norris, the founder of the local non-profit It’s A Blessing To Be A Blessing, graciously provided attendees with snacks, school supplies and hygiene bags. Joint Training Facility returned with their inflatable laser and archery tag activities and the day even saw Lego Man join in on the fun of families creating long-lasting memories. New to Block Party this year was the South Hagerstown High School Marching Band, who kicked off the event marching through the park and offering guests a chance to hear several songs from their ensemble.

Maggie, a South End Neighborhood Ambassador, reflected on her first South End Community Block Party, “The Block Party was an incredible experience. As a first-time attendee and volunteer, I felt so much pride in being a part of the Hagerstown community. The generosity of the vendors, the appreciation from the community, and the all-around warmth that the community members shared with one another filled my heart. I had no idea how many different support systems were already in place and ready for those in need. The food, music, laughter, and community connections I witnessed during the event reinforced my love for this quaint town. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Hagerstown community and Bester Community of Hope. I am already looking forward to next year’s event!”

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.

 

 

Annual event slated for September 21st at City Park

Bester Community of Hope, (BCOH), a San Mar Initiative, is excited to announce their 9th annual South End Community Block Party. Together with Fall Fest, BCOH will celebrate the Hagerstown community on Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. This event offers a free, fun-filled opportunity for families to gain access to an array of vital resources. Entertainment during the afternoon will feature performances by Cruel Summer, a Taylor Swift tribute band, hailing from New York. Cruel Summer’s performances will take place in the band shell area of Hagerstown City Park. The South Hagerstown High School marching band, under the direction of Andrew Gallagher, will kick off the event with a performance beginning promptly at 11:00 am. Families in attendance will also find other fun activities including laser tag, archery tag, and a character meet and greet in the areas adjacent to the band shell. All activities are offered free of charge to those in attendance.

 

The South End Community Block Party was first held in 2016 to foster a sense of community and the development of a shared vision for the South End neighborhoods. In the years following 2016, Block Party events have been held in conjunction with Fall Fest at Hagerstown City Park, allowing more families to attend. The Block Party is touted as an annual event honoring the South End to celebrate the great strengths that exist there, as well as offer endless access and information from close to fifty different resource providers in the community to support strong and vibrant families.

Funding and support for the annual South End Community Block Party is provided on behalf of the Alice Virginia and David W. Fletcher Foundation, along with an ongoing partnership with the Washington County Department of Human Services. For more information on this year’s event, please contact Alicia Taluskie at 240-513-6370 or stay up to date on the event tab on the BCOH Facebook page.

Babypalooza is more than just a baby shower; it’s a fun-filled gathering celebrating the youngest members of our community.  This annual event, hosted by Bester Community of Hope, was held on Saturday, April 6, 2024.  Bester Elementary School welcomed approximately 186 families to the Whimsical Woodland themed event.

As families entered the school they were greeted by the opportunity to visit the Early Learning Carnival.  Here, 5 local early intervention agencies created engaging stations for families to visit. Each station featured games and activities allowing children to participate in age-appropriate developmental tasks that included water play, sensory bin exploration, as well as fine and gross motor skill movement exercises.

Babypalooza guests were also encouraged to visit the woodland themed photo booth where Bester Community of Hope volunteers provided attendees with a family photo memento to take home.

As families transitioned from the Early Learning Carnival and made their way to the gymnasium, they were encouraged to visit the Parent Resiliency room.  Realizing the importance of self-care in creating and supporting strong caregivers, the Director and staff from the Jack E. Barr Center for Well Being, curated a calm space where families could color, listen to relaxing music, enjoy snacks and be provided with mental health and meditation resources.

When event guests finally reached the gymnasium, a sea of community resource vendors greeted them, eagerly waiting to provide critical and vital supports.  Over 40 vendors were available for families to speak with in order to learn about places to go and how to access needed services, all aimed at expanding a family’s network of supports. Bonnie Downing, our community partner with Carefirst Community Health plan of Maryland shared, “I am always glad to be welcomed at this event.  This year’s turnout was the best I’ve seen in a few years.  I was happy to connect with so many people. I’ll definitely be back next year!”

Of course no celebration would be complete without great food and prizes!  A huge thank you to Aetna Better Health and Washington County Grant management who graciously sponsored this years boxed lunch meal from Chick Fil A.  Community partners and Bester Community of Hope also combined to provide 11 prize bundles that were raffled off at the conclusion of the event.  Every adult in attendance received 3 raffle tickets that allowed them a chance to try their luck at winning one of the amazing prizes offered.

For families with young children and parents to be, Babypalooza offered an afternoon focused on celebrating life, love and the incredible journey that is parenthood.  The event also served as a reminder to families that they are not alone on this journey; rather they have an entire community here to support and cheer them on each step of the way.  Community resident Nadine Thompson summed it up best when she said, “It’s amazing to see so many people coming together to celebrate and support young families in this community.  I really enjoy this event and this year’s was one of the best!”

Bester Community of Hope provides support and opportunities for families in the South End of Hagerstown through the partnership and funding by Washington County Department of Social Services and the Alice Virginia and David W. Fletcher Foundation.  If you are interested in learning more about our efforts please contact us at: 240-513-6370 or find us at www.besterhope.org.