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.
General Assistance Linkages to Learning Support Services Staff Directory Services for Youth and Famlies Additional Resources
Emergency Assistance
Emergency 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 counseling, and income tax assistance are also available.
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.
The Charlas Program provides informational seminars to Hispanic parents on services and resources available in the Rockville area. Residents are invited to participate in regularly scheduled meetings where information on community resources is provided in Spanish. Meetings are held at Twinbrook Elementary School.
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
Information and Referral
Our staff can help residents find resources for financial assistance, housing and temporary shelter, emergency food, childcare, treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, health care, and many other needs.
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.
Programs and Services for Youth and Families
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 increase their skills in areas such as problem solving, emotion management and career exploration. Youth can also earn community service learning hours through participation in volunteer projects and credits toward Recreation and Parks activities based on their participation in the program. Activities are free.
Fab Five A summer program offering fun, fitness and field trips for middle school students, Fab Five meets Mondays and Wednesdays, July 6 through August 5, at the Lincoln Park Community Recreation Center. Each week features a studio hip hop dance class and a field trip. Free for Rockville residents; registration required. Contact Cynthia Bangali at 240-314-8317 for more information.
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, College Gardens 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.
Youth Development Programs
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 Antony Adams
Case Manager, Linkages to Learningaadams@rockvillemd.gov 301-279-8510 Cynthia Bangali
Community Services Program Coordinatorcbangali@rockvillemd.gov 240-314-8317 Carlos Aparicio
Site Coordinator, Linkages to LearningCarlos_E_Aparicio@mcpsmd.org 301-279-8508 Toula Candanedo
Family Services Aide, Linkages to Learning, and Community Services Outreach Workertcandanedo@rockvillemd.gov 301-279-8508 James M. Miller Community Services Youth and Family Counselor jmiller@rockvillemd.gov 240-314-8318 Katie Bean
Counselor, Linkages to Learningkatie_bean@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
