Howard County isn’t just keeping kids busy—it’s investing in their futures. This summer, the county’s youth programs hit record highs, and County Executive Calvin Ball says the momentum isn’t slowing down as FY26 Youth Engagement Programming (YEP!) grants open.
Three standout summer programs showcase the impact:
STAND (Stepping Towards a New Destiny): A six-day-a-week, seven-week program for at-risk youth. Students built life skills, gained mentors, and reported big jumps in confidence and support.
Teen Kick Backs: Free weekly drop-in nights with food, games, and sports. Registrations skyrocketed from 500 to more than 1,100 this summer.
Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP): 300 teens earned $16/hour working across 65 sites, including government offices and local businesses. The program’s grown from just 13 participants in 2018.
Beyond summer, Howard County has created a continuum of year-round support:
YEP! Grants: $2 million invested since 2023, reaching 13,000 youth with mentorship, arts, leadership, and academic support.
Boys and Girls Club at HCC: A statewide first, helping students thrive with healthy lifestyles and leadership development.
HoCo STRIVES: Nearly $6 million invested since 2018 to close achievement gaps through afterschool learning, food access, and mental health support.
The Source: A new Columbia community hub with gyms, studios, tutoring, and safe hangout spaces.
Elkridge Community Center Teen Zone: A co-designed space for young people to shape themselves.
YES! Council: A 27-member body aligning mentorship, conflict resolution, and violence prevention programs countywide.
From pizza nights to job sites, Howard County is proving youth investment pays real dividends.
