ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball has announced the second round of Youth Engagement Programming (YEP!) grant recipients and programs. Thirty-three local organizations have received YEP! grants to support free and low-cost programming in Howard County. These grants promote youth activities and engagement in Howard County through accessible and supportive programming developed by nonprofit and community organizations. Programming takes place outside of school hours, meeting a critical need for accessible programs for young people after school, on weekends, and during the summertime.
“I am pleased to announce our YEP! supported programs for 2025,” said Ball. “This empowering program allows our vital community partners to provide critical services to help young people thrive. Programs encompass a wide range of interests and fields, from athletics to esports programs to agricultural education and everything in between. When we work together, we can meet our young people where they are, prepare them for a successful future, and ensure a safer and more connected community by providing positive engagement experiences for young people.”
The 33 community organizations that have been awarded the second round of grants are:
- Alpha Foundation of Howard County
- AOK Mentoring & Tutoring
- Biz Kidz Academy
- Boys & Girls Club of Metropolitan Baltimore
- Camp Attaway
- Center for Creative Life and Learning
- Chinese American Parent Association of Howard County
- Clarksville Youth Care Group
- Columbia Community Care PUSH Mentorship Program
- Community Allies of Rainbow Youth in partnership with HCPSS Pride
- Community Ecology Institute
- Every Kid Can Cook
- Get on the Bus Soccer Program
- HCC Youth Basketball Program
- HCC Youth Esports Program
- HCC Youth Track and Field Program
- Hippodrome Foundation
- Howard County Chinese School
- Howard County Conservancy – Youth Climate Institute
- Howard County Farm Bureau
- Humanim
- League of Korean Americans
- Merriweather Arts and Culture Center
- Ohana Howard County
- Pearl Foundation
- PFLAG Howard County
- Restorative Justice Partnership
- STAND Mentorship Program
- Teaching Children at Myanmar
- Thunder Hill Elementary School PTA
- Upcycled
- VolunTeens
- Wilde Lake Boosters
Launched by Ball in 2023, the YEP! initiative is intended to provide nonprofit community organizations with the necessary resources to establish or enhance out-of-school programming and engagement opportunities for Howard County’s young people at the elementary, middle, and high school ages. These programs should offer participants the opportunity to be more active and engaged with their peers in a safe, supportive and nurturing environment. Since the launch of the YEP! grants, more than $1.5 million has been awarded to support nearly 40 nonprofits, and more than 9,000 young people have participated in YEP! programs across Howard County.
To learn more about YEP! grants, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/county-
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