Category Archives: Hope Story

Impression of Howard County by a new resident

I have been in Howard County for about a year. My family and I moved from VA. When we came house hunting, we loved our neighborhood because it was vey cosmopolitan. I understand that not all neighborhoods in HC are like this. However, the equity and racial justice training facilitated by HCLS gives me hopeContinue reading “Impression of Howard County by a new resident”

No follow-up

Our school staff were assigned to read The Little Book of Restorative Justice in Education last year. Unfortunately, there were no students physically in school, so there were no opportunities to practice the lessons. There has been no follow-up this year. This lack of follow-up feels all too familiar. Our School Improvement Plan has AfricanContinue reading “No follow-up”

Heartwarming return

I had the pleasure of welcoming back a customer to the library that I haven’t seen for years because this black gentleman moved away for other opportunities. He was surprised that I remembered him even though he remembered me as a HCLS Instructor. I said to him that I remembered his kind eyes. Politely andContinue reading “Heartwarming return”

Plant a Seed

As a children’s instructor I have the opportunity to teach a very diverse population. This opportunity provides me with a way to bridge commonalities between these populations through the content I share. It allows me to plant a seed of understanding and friendship in my classroom.

Hope in the Judiciary

My car was hit in 2019 by a man who was under the influence of many things, and I had to attend court for his hearing. My brother-in-law has worked for the county judiciary for many years, and he mentioned that the judge hearing the case was a friend of his. My case went last,Continue reading “Hope in the Judiciary”

BLM march

My spouse and I attended the Black Lives Matter march that began at the Columbia Mall last year and was stunned by the turnout. My 16yo son came with us. He was very moved and inspired. We were able to stay in our car due to COVID safety, but still felt part of the community,Continue reading “BLM march”

A garden grows hope

I feel a little sheltered these days with limited experience in the wider world of Howard County. That said I continue to report to work and that work takes me to a garden. In the garden I meet people from numerous place in HC and the world. In the garden conversations grow around flowers, vegetables,Continue reading “A garden grows hope”

I Maintain Hope

I live in a very racial and culturally diverse Ellicott City neighborhood. I have lived there for ten years now. I see children of different races and cultures play together, families meet together for lawn picnics. Neighbors stop and chat with each other at our cars as we come and go. In my small buildingContinue reading “I Maintain Hope”