LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — Community leaders, nonprofit partners, volunteers and residents gathered Friday morning to celebrate a major milestone for Building Bridges as the organization officially opened its new Seeds to Success Program Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Lexington Park.
The event marked more than the opening of a new facility at 21760 Great Mills Road. For founder and Executive Director Patrice Campbell, it represented years of faith, perseverance and dedication to helping families overcome barriers, connect with resources and build pathways toward long-term stability and success.
Surrounded by supporters, local officials and community partners, Campbell welcomed guests to what she described as the next chapter in Building Bridges’ mission to serve children, youth and families throughout St. Mary’s County.
“This is more than a ribbon cutting,” Campbell told attendees. “It is a celebration of faith, perseverance, partnership, growth and the power of a community coming together to support children, individuals and families in need.”
A Vision Built On Service And Perseverance
Building Bridges was founded on the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive. Through years of serving local families, Campbell has worked to create programs that address not only immediate needs but also the root causes of instability.
During her remarks, Campbell spoke candidly about the personal influences that shaped both her life and the organization.
One of the most emotional moments came as she honored her late husband, whose encouragement and belief in her vision helped Building Bridges grow from an idea into a community resource.
“During the times when the vision felt bigger than the resources, he reminded me to keep going, dream bigger and never lose sight of the purpose behind the work,” Campbell said. “I carry his memory with me in every success Building Bridges achieves.”
Campbell also recognized her parents, who are celebrating 60 years of marriage this year, crediting their example of integrity, compassion, hard work, faith and service for helping shape both her character and the mission of Building Bridges.
Planting Seeds For Long-Term Success
According to Campbell, challenges rarely happen in isolation.
A child struggling in school may also be part of a family facing housing instability. A parent searching for employment may need transportation assistance, food resources or case management support.
To address those interconnected needs, Building Bridges utilizes a holistic, wraparound approach through two primary programs.
Bridges To Tomorrow
Bridges to Tomorrow supports school-aged children and youth through tutoring, mentoring, academic support and summer enrichment opportunities. The program is designed to strengthen educational foundations, build confidence and equip young people with skills necessary for future success.
Caritas Bridges To Hope
Caritas Bridges to Hope provides support for parents, caregivers and families through housing assistance, homelessness services coordination, employment readiness programs, individualized case management and connections to community resources.
Together, the programs help families move from crisis toward stability, independence and long-term success.
“We are not only responding to crisis,” Campbell said. “We are helping prevent future crisis. We are helping families build a foundation for lasting change.”
Seeds to Success: Expanding Impact Across St. Mary’s County
The newly opened Seeds to Success Center will allow Building Bridges to expand its reach and serve more families throughout Southern Maryland.
Campbell explained that the program’s name reflects the organization’s philosophy that meaningful change often begins with small acts of support.
“A seed may look small at first, but when it is planted in the right environment, nurtured with care and given what it needs to grow, it can become something strong, fruitful and life-changing,” she said.
She described the organization’s work as planting seeds of hope, education, stability, opportunity, healing, confidence and success.
Through the new center, Building Bridges hopes to provide greater services, create additional opportunities and deepen its impact on families throughout the region.
“As we cut this ribbon today, we are not simply opening a space,” Campbell said. “We are opening doors to greater service, greater opportunity and greater impact.”
Commissioner Colvin Highlights The Power Of Partnership
St. Mary’s County Commissioner Eric Colvin addressed attendees during the ceremony and emphasized the importance of partnerships in achieving long-term success.
Looking around the event filled with supporters, Colvin noted that the turnout itself reflected the impact Campbell and Building Bridges have already made throughout the community.
“When Patrice says something, people move,” Colvin said, drawing laughter and applause from the audience.
Colvin also reflected on one word he heard repeatedly throughout the ceremony: partnership.
“I have the opportunity to see a lot of different groups and a lot of different things happening,” Colvin said. “The only ones that succeed are the ones that understand the term partnership. Patrice Campbell does, and Building Bridges does.”
He reminded attendees that the ribbon-cutting represents a beginning rather than a finish line.
“Today is a step. It is not the culmination. It is not the finish,” Colvin said. “It is a step in the process. It’s an exciting one. It’s a big one. But we’ve got to keep moving forward.”
Chamber Of Commerce Celebrates Milestone
St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Holly Meyer also attended the event and presented Campbell with a special recognition on behalf of the chamber.
Meyer noted that she recently had the opportunity to recognize Campbell’s work during the chamber’s annual gala and praised the organization’s ongoing contributions to the community.
“We’re so thrilled to be here today,” Meyer said. “Congratulations on opening Seeds to Success.”
The recognition highlighted Building Bridges’ commitment to strengthening families and creating opportunities for residents across St. Mary’s County.
Looking Toward The Future
Campbell concluded the ceremony by thanking the many people who helped make the organization’s growth possible, including Lexington Park United Methodist Church, the Local Management Board, Building Bridges’ Board of Directors, staff members, volunteers, donors, community partners and supporters.
She also welcomed new staff members who will help lead the organization’s next chapter.
As guests toured the facility following the ribbon-cutting, the sense of optimism was evident throughout the room.
For Building Bridges, the new center represents more than a building. It is a place where families can find support, children can discover opportunities and community partnerships can continue creating lasting change.
“Together, we are creating a stronger network of support for children, families and individuals across St. Mary’s County,” Campbell said. “Thank you for being part of this special moment and for helping us continue to build bridges that connect people to resources, opportunities and brighter futures.”
About Building Bridges
Building Bridges Corporation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening children, families and individuals throughout St. Mary’s County through educational support, mentoring, housing stabilization assistance, employment readiness services, case management and resource navigation. Through its Bridges to Tomorrow and Caritas Bridges to Hope programs, the organization provides holistic support designed to help families move from crisis toward long-term stability and success. The newly opened Seeds to Success Program Center in Lexington Park will expand Building Bridges’ ability to serve residents across Southern Maryland.
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