Open House Feb. 22
Foster care program outgrows office, relocates
Boonsboro, MD - San Mar Children's Home on Mapleville Road is expanding its services and moving its offices to 10233 Governor Lane Boulevard, Williamsport, MD.
A public open house will be held February 22, from 2 to 5 p.m. in the new offices.
The program's former office space in our Learning Center is just too small to accommodate our expanding services, said Bruce T. Anderson, chief executive officer.
In recent months, the foster care program received state approval to serve 10 additional children, due to need in the local community. The program can now serve 35 children.
This is the first time a program has been moved off the San Mar campus, which was established in 1927 when the Washington County Orphan's Home moved from South Potomac Street, in Hagerstown, where it had been since its founding 125 years ago in 1883, Anderson noted.
In 1981, no longer an orphanage the home, was named after the local San Mar Community where it was located.
The move from the San Mar campus to the larger leased space in Williamsport, will be temporary, Anderson said. The program is expected to return to the campus in a few years after construction of a multi-purpose building. The new building will enable San Mar to more effectively respond to the needs of children and youth in cane.
Proceeds from San Mar's House, Car and Cash raffle now in progress will go toward that project, Anderson said. Details about the raffle can be found on-line at www.sanmarraffle.com.
"The new office space looks a bit different than when the building was occupied by Fleetwood Motor Homes, said Ellen Savory, director, who has been with the program since its inception in 1991. "The formerly neutral colored walls are now a Crayon box of colors—from purples to yellows to blues and greens," Savoy explained. "We want our offices to be as child friendly as possible."
Volunteers, community groups, fosters parents and staff did much of the painting at the new offices. Several volunteers from Leadership Washington County spent a recent Saturday painting and assembling furniture donated by Staples.
"A tremendous amount of love in action transformed this building into a welcoming home for our foster care program," Savory said, adding her special thanks to thanks to and extensive list of individuals.
San Mar established its Treatment Foster Care Program 1991. In those 17 years, nearly 200 children have been placed with foster parents.
"Our foster parents are highly trained and dedicated individuals who provide a safe, supportive, and nurturing home for children ages birth through 18," Savoy explained. "The parents come from all walks of life, including two parent or single parent households.
The Treatment Foster Care Program helps troubled children and their families heal through integrated services that include ongoing assessment, therapy, and home visits by caseworkers.
Some children in the foster care program will return to their natural homes after a period in foster care. Others may be adopted by their foster families, go on to another program, or reach the age where they can live independently.
Jone Bowman Receives Visionary Award
"Jone Bowman was the perfect choice for the first San Mar Children's Home Visionary Award," said Bruce T. Anderson, Chief Executive Officer. "The award recognizes a community leader who understands the great impact of San Mar has the lives of children, as well as the impact it has on the community."
The award was the highlight of San Mar's May 17 annual dinner attended by nearly 200 supporters of San Mar and friends of Jone.
Judy Greenwald, Senior Vice President and Business Development Officer for Hagerstown Trust presented the award to Jone. Hagerstown Trust was the lead sponsor for the dinner.
"We were delighted when Hagerstown Trust stepped forward as our lead sponsor," Bruce commented. "They are a true community leader and we are very thankful for their ongoing support."
Jone is a former San Mar board member and continues to support San Mar trough volunteer work and fundraising efforts. During her tenure on the San Mar Board Jone co-chaired a successful capital campaign to raise one million dollars to develop a shelter for girls in need.
"This was a total shock," said Jone upon receiving the award, adding that "it is also a special honor, and I'm very grateful."
"On behalf of Hagerstown Trust we were thrilled to sponsor this event for San Mar Children's Home for two main reasons," said Judy, a former San Mar Board President. "One is for our long-term relationship with San Mar and the second is due to our love and admiration of Jone Bowman."
Judy was responsible for recruiting Jone to the San Mar board several years ago.
"Jone became a very active board member and I learned that Jone is a very gracious and generous lady. She took time to visit with the San Mar girls and develop meaningful relationships with them."
"Our San Mar girls are very street-smart girls and they could tell that Jone genuinely cared about them. The importance of knowing that someone genuinely cares about you to a San Mar girl means everything. This is the biggest gift that Jone could have given."
Jone Bowman holds the San Mar Visionary Award presented by Hagerstown Trust. With Jone are (from left) Bruce T. Anderson, CEO, Judy Greenwald, Hagerstown Trust, and Robert L. May II, Board President |
CEO Bruce T. Anderson presented Meagan Langmyer with a Teddy Bear as acknowledgment of a job well done, collecting money on behalf of the children at San Mar. |
Sally Dorsey (right) holds the plaque recognizing her 30 years of dedication to San Mar Children's Home. |
San Mar Children's Home Board President Robert L. May II welcomes the crowd. |
Jone Bowman (left) rises to accept the Sam Mar Visionary Award and best wishes from all attending. |
Visionary Partner
"San Mar featured in The Baltimore Sun" (PDF FILE)
