Our Programs
Our 3 Pillars: Awareness, Advocacy & Support
Empowering Youth. Uplifting Families. Creating Community.
At Charlene’s Circle of Support (CCOS), we believe in building circles of healing and hope for youth and kinship families impacted by parental incarceration, substance use, and mental illness. Our trauma-informed programs are rooted in compassion and powered by our three core principles.​
Our Dual-Impact Model: Whole-Family Empowerment
We recognize that youth resilience and caregiver stability are closely intertwined. That’s why our model supports both by building:
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Healing: Mental Wellness & Creative Expression Workshops
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Stability: Youth & Caregiver Care Packages
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Connection: Peer Support & Empowerment Circles
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Access: Kinship Resource Navigation with Community Partners
Our Programs:
Family Care Package Program
Our Family Care Package Program provides relief, comfort, and dignity to kinship families by meeting real, everyday needs.
Each package is thoughtfully tailored with household essentials (laundry detergent, toilet paper, etc.), food, and self-care supplies for both caregivers and youth, affirming their worth and reminding families they are not alone.
Clothing Closet Initiative
We partner with local community schools to provide youth with essential clothing and toiletries. By meeting these basic needs, we empower students to feel confident, comfortable, and ready to learn, promoting dignity and enhancing self-esteem.
“I Matter! WAI?” Mentorship Program
A trauma-informed, identity-based experience designed to empower youth ages 12 to 18 to explore who they are, strengthen how they feel, and embrace why they matter, increasing their mental well-being.
Through engaging mentorship, social-emotional learning, and guided reflection using our “I Matter” Journals, youth build self-awareness, emotional resilience, and confidence to thrive in school and life.
“I Matter” Empowerment Program
Through community partnerships, we bring kinship families together in each county we serve once a year for a day of connection, creativity, and celebration.
The “I Matter” Empowerment Program creates a safe, inspiring space where youth and caregivers build resilience, explore identity, and strengthen emotional wellness through engaging, hands-on workshops and activities.
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Program Highlights:
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Facilitated sessions for caregivers and youth focused on identity, healing, and wellness.
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Creative expression activities such as “Stitching with Care,” “Emotions Masks,” and “Words to Live By”
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Resource access from local organizations and community partners.
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Free childcare and respite for youth ages 1–6 with age-appropriate play and activities.
Kinship & Thriving Program
Free Monthly Virtual Support Group for Maryland Kinship Caregivers
​Being a kinship caregiver can feel overwhelming—especially when you're navigating it alone.
Join us for a monthly 60-90-minute virtual support group that creates a healing-centered, supportive space where caregivers come together to learn, grow, and connect with others who truly understand the journey.
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Topics Include:
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Managing difficult conversations with the youth in your care.
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Setting healthy boundaries without guilt.
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Accessing local resources and building your support network.
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Caring for yourself so you can care for others.
Our Impact
Real Change. Real Families. Real Support.
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In under two years, Charlene’s Circle of Support has made a measurable difference in Maryland:
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152+ families supported through customized care packages, providing essential household and wellness items.
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80+ kinship youth in Anne Arundel County received Christmas Gifts.
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130+ kinship youth gifted winter coats across Anne Arundel and Harford County.
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3 school-based clothing closets opened at Hillsmere Elementary, Annapolis, and Meade Middle School.
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1 kinship care pop-up closet launched in Charles County for emergency family support.
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1 mentorship group at Annapolis Middle School, now in year 2 and serving 10 seventh-grade boys.
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Dozens of caregivers were reached through community referrals.
Every number represents a child affirmed, a caregiver empowered, and a community connection strengthened.
Be part of the Circle. Be part of the change.
