Celebrations are a good thing; especially when the celebration is a milestone. This year, Human Services Programs is celebrating one of those special milestones - 25 years of service to Carroll County and its almost 9,000 low income and at risk population.

On Monday evening, August 20 from 6 pm to 9 pm at Gunner's Grille in Taneytown, HSP will raise a glass and honor a quarter of a century in Carroll County. Many friends of HSP, elected officials and fellow non profits will be in attendance to help honor this incredible achievement.

It all started in 1987, when Sylvia Canon Haines, a Department of Social Services worker, identified a need that was not being met in the Carroll community. The need focused on housing homeless women and their young children. 

In the initial stages, Haines and four other staff worked together to accomplish this objective. The importance of this mission was further recognized by Carroll County government who helped Haines acquire 501(c)3 status necessary for non profit organizations.

The rest as they say, "is history," and that history has been quite interesting. HSP, 25 years later, is an agency that administers some 20 programs through 29 funding sources to address energy and emergency assistance, supportive housing, family links, job readiness training, family support, food monitoring, outreach and shelters for homeless.

Its partnerships with a variety of federal, state, local and community partners allow for the provision of productive alternatives that improve quality of life and self sufficiency.

Sooooooo.....here's to HSP! Happy 25th Birthday!!!