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Department of Recreation and Parks
Division of Community Services
The Community Services Division of the Department of Recreation and Parks provides prevention and intervention programs and social services to at-risk youth and families.
Located in Rockville Town Center at 30 Courthouse Square, Suite 100, Rockville, Maryland 20850, we are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Services are free and confidential. For more information, please call 240-314-8310.
Financial Assistance General Assistance Linkages to Learning Support Services Staff Directory Youth Development Programs Additional Resources
Emergency Assistance
Emergency financial assistance is available for eligible City of Rockville residents experiencing financial crisis such as eviction, foreclosure, or utility shut-off or who need one time only prescription medication. Referrals for emergency food, clothing, financial/employment counseling, and income tax assistance are also available.
Bay Restoration Fee Exemption
The City of Rockville provides an exemption program for residents who receive their water from the City. This exemption is based on financial hardship.
General Assistance
Information and Referral
Our staff can help residents find resources for fiancial assistance, housing and temporary shelter, emergency food, child care, treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, health care and many other needs.
Hispanic/Latino Community Outreach
The Hispanic/Latino Community Outreach program is intended to inform members of Rockville’s fastest-growing diverse population about programs that can help improve their lives.
Housing Counseling
This program teaches first time homebuyers about the process of purchasing a home and assists them in identifying housing resources in the region. For example, they will learn about the numerous incentives that are available to first time homebuyers. The program also helps renters stabilize their current housing situation in order to become potential homebuyers.
STEP/Teen (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting)
Everyone wants to be a better parent. Don’t let poor communication with your child result in delinquency, alcohol/drug abuse, poor school performance, or other household conflicts. Through this course our staff helps parents overcome their concerns and create a more positive and rewarding relationship with their child/teen.
Support Services
Counseling
Our staff is trained and qualified to provide short term counseling for young people and their families. What you discuss with your counselor remains confidential. We offer formal counseling with a staff member for a specified time period and informal counseling where drop-ins are welcome to talk with a counselor.
Outreach
A concerted effort is made to inform all people in Rockville of our services and to invite their participation in ongoing groups and classes. Our staff is culturally diverse and able to reach out to linguistic minority residents and businesspersons to assure they are aware of City services.
Our programs are designed to prevent youth from engaging in delinquent behaviors, specifically drug and alcohol abuse, gang involvement and other criminal activities. If you as a parent, teacher, or school counselor would like to refer a child for any of these programs or for individual counseling, please call 240-314-8310.
Achievers
An afterschool program for middle school students, Achievers meets weekly after school at the Lincoln Park Community Center during the school year. Participants will gain powerful tools such as problem solving strategies, conflict resolution and leadership skills. In addition, students go on fun trips and earn community service hours through volunteer projects.
Mentoring Program
Mentoring is a one-on-one relationship over a period of time between a youth and an older person who provides consistent support, guidance, and concrete help. Research has shown that mentors can have a significant positive impact on the life of a young person! Mentoring programs are currently operating at Beall Elementary, Twinbrook Community Recreation Center/Meadow Hall Elementary and Ritchie Park Elementary schools. If you are interested in being a mentor, please call 240-314-8310.
SISTERS
Self-image, Strength, Tenacity, Empathy, Responsibility and Success (SISTERS) is designed to empower pre-adolescent and adolescent girls by providing positive peer support and constructive coping skills through education and leadership activities including decision making practice, role playing and volunteer community service. SISTERS meets weekly during the school year at Julius West Middle School and twice a week at Twinbrook Community Recreation Center in the summer. Activities are free.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the programs listed above, youth must live or attend school in the City of Rockville.
For more information call 240-314-8310.
Staff Providing Services for Youth and Families
Name and Position Telephone Cynthia Bangali
Community Services Program Coordinatorcbangali@rockvillemd.gov 240-314-8317 Maritza Boekhoudt
CaseManager, Linkages to Learningmboekhoudt@rockvillemd.gov 301-279-8510 Mariella Correal
Community Services Outreach Workermcorreal@rockvillemd.gov 240-314-8313 Sarah Dickinson
Community Services Office Managersdickinson@rockvillemd.gov 240-314-8311 James M. Miller
Community Services Youth and Family Counselorjmiller@rockvillemd.gov 240-314-8318 Lynique Murray
Site Coordinator, Linkages to Learninglmurray@rockvillemd.gov 301-279-8508 Katie Showers
Counselor, Linkages to Learningkatie_showers@mcpsmd.org 301-279-3788 Alfred Thompson
Community Services Resource Coordinatorathompson@rockvillemd.gov 240-314-8319
Division of Community Services
30 Courthouse Square • Suite 100
Rockville, MD 20850
240-314-8310
