Sometimes, the most visible changes tell a much bigger story.
At United Way’s Family Center at Benjamin Franklin High School, children now have new play equipment to climb on, safer surfaces to explore, and a brighter, more welcoming outdoor space with new landscaping thanks to an extraordinary partnership with the ARA Foundation, The Toro Company Foundation, members of Maryland’s rental industry, and dozens of dedicated volunteers. Together, they transformed a playground that serves young families every day and presented United Way with a $20,000 grant to help continue this important work.
For the children who use the playground, the impact is immediate. They have a safer, more engaging place to learn, play, and grow. For the young parents who rely on the Family Center, the investment sends an equally important message: your community believes in you and wants you to succeed.
That’s exactly why United Way opened the Family Center in 2012.
The goal was simple but ambitious: ensure that parenting students didn’t have to choose between raising a child and finishing high school. By providing free, full-day childcare; high-quality early childhood education; and connections to help with needs like housing, food, and clothing, and baby supplies, the Family Center creates opportunities for both generations at the same time.
More than a decade later, the results speak for themselves.
Parenting who participate in the program graduate at rates that are nearly double the national average. Children get enriching early learning experiences that help prepare them for kindergarten and beyond. Parents strengthen bonds with their babies while building the confidence, stability, and support systems they need to create stronger futures for their families.
That’s what makes this playground project so meaningful. It’s not simply about new equipment, fresh plants, or improved safety surfacing. Those improvements matter, and families will enjoy them every day. But they are also part of something larger: a proven model that helps young families overcome barriers and build lasting pathways to stability and security.
“We hope the improvements made today create opportunities for families, infants, and toddlers to thrive tomorrow. While the renovated space will have an immediate benefit, the greatest long-term impact comes from community partners coming together to invest in the success of future generations.” – Judson McNeil, American Rental Association Director
The ARA Foundation’s support reflects that understanding. Their investment went beyond funding a one-day volunteer project. Along with helping create a beautiful new outdoor space, they entrusted United Way with a $20,000 grant that will help sustain and strengthen services for families. That kind of support reflects confidence in a program that has consistently demonstrated its ability to meet community needs and deliver meaningful results.
In many ways, this project captures the best of what happens when community partners come together around a shared purpose. Volunteers see the immediate results of their efforts. Children gain a space designed for play and discovery. Parents receive encouragement and support during one of the most challenging and important times in their lives. And the community benefits from stronger families.
The new playground will bring smiles for years to come, but the real legacy of this investment is measured in graduations, kindergarten readiness, stronger parent-child relationships, and opportunities created for generations. That’s the power of the Family Center model, and it’s why this work matters.
As we celebrate this transformation, we’re reminded that lasting change happens when people choose to invest in one another. We invite community members, volunteers, donors, and partners to join us in supporting young families across our region. Whether through your time, your resources, or your voice, you can help ensure that more children thrive and more parents have the support they need to build a brighter future. Together, we can continue creating pathways to opportunity, one family at a time.
