Reach of Washington County

08/24/2026

Have you heard about the HCC Bowman Workforce Training Center? Please join us on Wednesday, August 26th at 1pm to learn about the amazing opportunities available.
Thank you Erica Siler, Workforce Navigator for Construction Careers at Hagerstown Community College, HCC Bowman Workforce Training Center, HCC Workforce Solutions and Continuing Education for sharing your time and bringing this information out in the community.
Please share this flyer with anyone who may be interested in becoming Forklift certified, electrical, plumbing, welding, CDL, IT, carpentry, diesel technology, etc. This is an exciting opportunity to expand skills, knowledge and have access to continuing education for everyone.
For those who qualify, HCC currently has funding available to provide scholarships for their trade programs, and for transportation to and from the HCC City Campus on Northern Avenue. The scholarships specifically target currently unemployed, unhoused, and recently reentered individuals.

Read more: https://www.hagerstowncc.edu/construction-trades

Have you heard about the HCC Bowman Workforce Training Center? Join us on Wednesday, August 26th at 1pm to learn more.
Thank you Erica Siler, Workforce Navigator for Construction Careers at Hagerstown Community College, HCC Bowman Workforce Training Center, HCC Workforce Solutions and Continuing Educationg for sharing your time and bringing this information out in the community.

Please share this flyer with anyone who may be interested in becoming Forklift certified, electrical, plumbing, welding, CDL, IT, carpentry, diesel technology, etc. This is an exciting opportunity to expand skills, knowledge and have access to continuing education for everyone.
For those who qualify, HCC currently has funding available to provide scholarships for their trade programs, and for transportation to and from the HCC City Campus on Northern Avenue. The scholarships specifically target currently unemployed, unhoused, and recently reentered individuals.

If you cannot make it August 26th, our friends at the Historic Jonathan Street Neighborhood of Hagerstown, MD are hosting a session on August 12th at 3pm Asbury United Methodist Church.

Read more: https://www.hagerstowncc.edu/construction-trades

08/04/2026

Have you heard about the HCC Bowman Workforce Training Center? Join us on Wednesday, August 26th at 1pm to learn more.
Thank you Erica Siler, Workforce Navigator for Construction Careers at Hagerstown Community College, HCC Bowman Workforce Training Center, HCC Workforce Solutions and Continuing Educationg for sharing your time and bringing this information out in the community.

Please share this flyer with anyone who may be interested in becoming Forklift certified, electrical, plumbing, welding, CDL, IT, carpentry, diesel technology, etc. This is an exciting opportunity to expand skills, knowledge and have access to continuing education for everyone.
For those who qualify, HCC currently has funding available to provide scholarships for their trade programs, and for transportation to and from the HCC City Campus on Northern Avenue. The scholarships specifically target currently unemployed, unhoused, and recently reentered individuals.

If you cannot make it August 26th, our friends at the Historic Jonathan Street Neighborhood of Hagerstown, MD are hosting a session on August 12th at 3pm Asbury United Methodist Church.

Read more: https://www.hagerstowncc.edu/construction-trades

07/30/2026

Happy 7th Birthday Bridge to Change! Exactly 7 years ago today we officially launched Bridge to Change!
This program has been a positive and much-needed program for the participants and our community. Program participants are gaining self-confidence and developing soft skills (reliability, responsibility, communication, and teamwork) to move towards independence. It is very rewarding to see how proud they are of their progress when they return.
We asked the current crew what they enjoyed about being on Bridge to Change. They said, it feels good to actually do something good to make the city better.” They feel like picking up trash and needles improves the community and helps keep spaces safer for all.
They feel proud when City employees, especially Public Works, business owners, and citizens, thank them for their efforts. They specifically recalled when the Director of Public Works stopped by in his company vehicle and thanked them while they were out on a shift. Thank you!

We had a busy FY26:
*12 participants
*161 workdays
*531.44 City miles covered
*79,860 GALLONS of trash removed
*4,188 needles discarded

Outcomes:
*12 participated in individualized case management to work towards goals of housing, employment, and connections to other support systems in the community.
*5 permanently housed
*4 made other significant steps towards independence

Over the past 7 years, we have learned so much as we witnessed many successful outcomes and inspiring impactful changes for many of the participants. We are honored to have someone from BHS-Washington County Health Department join our crew weekly.
We are looking forward to what we accomplish in year 8 and beyond! We are so proud of this program and so very grateful for the many individuals and organizations that made it happen.
Thank you!
The City of Hagerstown - Municipal
City of Hagerstown Department of Planning & Economic Development
Shelley Peteranecz

07/06/2026

Our Bridge to Change program had a changing of the guard this week, as we said thank you to Chip and welcome to Dave!
After 3.5 years, Chip is soaring onto great things, and passing the reins onto Dave as the next Bridge to Change Crew Supervisor! Chip has worked alongside the crew regardless of heat, cold, wind or rain; while mentoring, encouraging and building camaraderie which directly increases the motivation and successes for the participants. We are so grateful for his dedication and leadership over the last 3.5 years.
Dave learned from the best working alongside Chip over the last 18 months, as he developed into a team leader. We are excited to see the program continue seamlessly.
Welcome aboard Dave!

06/27/2026

We enjoyed participating in the annual customer appreciation/Pro Day with our friends at North Hagerstown Lowe's Home Improvement (Shank Farm Way). We got to share information about community resources, volunteering with us and our upcoming annual Taste of the Town event (Save the Date 9/27/26)! Plus a bonus surprise visit by the one and only One Room Media!
What a fun day with our booth neighbors AmeriServ Bank, Warehouse Cinemas, F&M Trust and Downtown Hagerstown.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DAx4tJa16/

06/25/2026

We were honored to join our friends and partners at the United Way of Washington County, Maryland Live United Awards and Celebration! We are so grateful to be a recipient of one of their Community Impact grants.
We hope this video brings some sunshine to your day, and shows all of our appreciation.
Thank you for your efforts to help our community Live United, and helping us resolve homelessness in Washington County!

06/19/2026

Thank you to the Hagerstown Rotary Club for your support! Our Director of Housing and Case Management was honored to attend and accept this award for Reach.
We are grateful for their support, and for everyone who supports their events that raise these funds to support our community! We are encouraged and inspired to be amoung these amazing community partners who serve Washington County.
Thank you!

Twenty-three Washington County charitable organizations were awarded a total of $55,506.00 in grants on June 17, 2026 at a celebratory lunch held at The Morris Frock Post 42 American Legion,405 Northern Avenue, Hagerstown, MD. Grant applications this year totaled $177,593.78.

With limited resources available and financial need so great at this time in our community, the grant distribution focus is on organizations that provide direct service to Washington County citizens in financial need.

The Charitable Foundation of the Hagerstown Rotary Club has awarded $2,459,842.00 to local charitable organizations since starting the Foundation.

06/17/2026

Our Executive Director enjoyed joining Rabbi Mark Perman on his Interfaith Roundtable podcast to share about Homelessness, Compassion and the Power of Community.
Please click the link to listen to the episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-interfaith-roundtable-with-rabbi-mark/id1643183820?i=1000763136730

They touched on the increase in need, the changing face of homelessness and the vital role that faith communities, local organizations, and volunteers play in making a difference—showing how compassion, collaboration, and understanding can bring real change.

This episode is a powerful reminder that while the challenges are complex, hope is found in people coming together to serve others!

Visit his website to listen to other episodes. https://listenhagerstown.com/interfaith-roundtable/

What other guests or topics should he have on the podcast?