A Better St. Mary's

09/01/2026

September is Kinship Care Month.

Kinship caregivers are relatives, family friends, or other adults with a meaningful connection to a child who step in to provide care for them when their parents are unable to. They provide stability, support, and a safe place to call home.

We’re marking the month with education, outreach, community events, and resources for kinship families across the state.

Learn more about kinship care and how you can support kinship families: https://dhs.maryland.gov/out-of-home-care/kinship-care/.

08/29/2026

👟 Help SMCPS students start the school year on the right foot!
The SMCPS Shoe Fund provides shoes to school-age children in St. Mary’s County Public Schools who need them and have limited financial resources. Requests are especially high at the beginning of the school year, but assistance continues throughout the year.
The Shoe Fund is supported entirely by community donations, and 100% of every contribution is used to purchase shoes for students.
Individuals, businesses, community organizations, and groups are all welcome to contribute. Donations can be made online through MySchoolBucks without creating an account.
Families who need assistance can also find shoe request forms in English and Spanish.
👟 Donate or request shoes:
https://www.smcps.org/shoe-fund
Thank you for helping support students in our community!

08/26/2026

📸 Share Your First Day of School Photos!

Back-to-school photos have become an SMCPS tradition, and we would love to celebrate the start of the 2026–2027 school year with our students and families.

Send your favorite first-day photos to [email protected] for possible inclusion in our online photo gallery, and tag your social media posts with .

We look forward to seeing everyone ready for a great new school year!

08/26/2026

🎒💙 THANK YOU, ST. MARY’S COUNTY! ❤️📚

Because of the incredible generosity of our community, A Better St. Mary’s, in partnership with the St. Mary’s County Department of Social Services, was able to make a meaningful difference for children in the Kinship Program through our Backpack & School Supplies Drive! 🎒✏️📓

To every community member, family, organization, and supporter who selected a backpack tag, purchased supplies, and helped fill a backpack—THANK YOU! Your generosity is helping students start the school year prepared, confident, and ready to succeed.

This shows a strong community that cares for the needs in St. Mary’s County.

We are grateful to everyone who helped make this initiative a success. St. Mary’s County, you showed up—and our children will feel the impact! 🎒📚

08/12/2026

⚠️Location updated Leonardtown & Lexington Park⚠️

🎒📚 Help Us Make This School Year Amazing! 📚🎒

A Better St. Mary’s, in partnership with the St. Mary's County Department of Social Services, are collecting backpacks & school supplies for children in the Kinship program. Here’s how you can help:

✔️ Visit your local St. Mary’s County library and select a backpack tag.

✔️ Purchase the backpack and the supplies listed for that student.

✔️ Return the filled backpack in the bin by August 24, 2026.

Drop-off locations include the public libraries in Leonardtown & Lexington Park.

Together, we can help students begin the school year with confidence & everything they need to succeed. Every backpack makes a difference 🎒📚✏️📓

05/13/2026

🌟 May is Foster Parent Appreciation Month 🌟

This month, we celebrate the incredible dedication, compassion, and resilience of our Resource Parents across Maryland. Every day, you open your hearts and homes to children and families, providing stability, love, and hope when it’s needed most.

Your impact goes far beyond what can be measured—you are mentors, advocates, caregivers, and champions for brighter futures. Because of you, lives are changed in lasting and meaningful ways.

💙 Thank you for all that you do, today and every day. Maryland is stronger because of you.

05/08/2026

04/04/2026

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a reminder that every child in our community deserves to grow up safe and healthy.

We all play a part in protecting children. Know the signs and how to help: If you have concerns, call 1-800-91-PREVENT (1-800-917-7383).

Learn more: https://dhs.maryland.gov/child-protective-services/reporting-suspected-child-abuse-or-neglect/signs-neglect-abuse/.