Child & Family Foundation

The Child & Family Foundation was created to support children and families on Maryland’s Eastern Shore by developing programs that address important needs within our community. Today, the Foundation is home to two projects that serve children and families in different but equally meaningful ways: 1 Year to Empowerment and Crossroads Early Intervention & Training.

1 Year to Empowerment was created in 2014 by local child psychologist Dr. Samantha Scott as a year-long program for middle and high school-aged girls. The program is built around principles of psychology, mental wellness, and intrinsic motivation and is designed to help girls strengthen their confidence, self-esteem, self-respect, and self-reliance while learning to make healthy choices and prepare for their futures. 1 Year to Empowerment is completely free for our Empowerees and their families, allowing girls to participate regardless of their family's financial circumstances.

Throughout the year, our girls, known as “Empowerees,” participate in a wide variety of meaningful, hands-on experiences. Activities have included aerial yoga and meditation, self-defense and boxing, learning how to change a tire and perform basic car maintenance, CPR/First Aid and babysitting certification, career exploration, personal finance, college tours, visits to women-owned businesses, community service projects, and much more. Each experience is intentionally designed to expose our Empowerees to new skills, opportunities, people, and possibilities while encouraging personal growth and independence. At the end of the program year, we celebrate their accomplishments and growth at our annual Transformation Banquet.

Crossroads Early Intervention & Training was created to help meet the growing need for prevention and early-intervention services for children and families, particularly those who are high-risk or underserved on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Crossroads focuses on identifying concerns early and connecting children and families with the support, education, and resources they need during critical stages of development. Services include developmental evaluations, assessments, behavioral, play, trauma, and occupational therapy, school-readiness support, parenting education, and services addressing childhood trauma and adversity.

By intervening early, Crossroads works to strengthen children and families before challenges become greater barriers to a child’s development, education, relationships, and overall well-being.

While 1 Year to Empowerment and Crossroads Early Intervention & Training serve different needs, they share the same goal: helping children and families on the Eastern Shore build healthier, stronger futures.

Support through Shore Gives 365 allows us to continue growing both projects, reaching more local children and families, and ensuring that important programs and opportunities remain accessible within our community.