LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — Residents, local leaders and community partners gathered at the Lexington Park Library on April 21 for a collaborative effort aimed at strengthening support systems for families and youth across St. Mary’s County.
Hosted by Due East Partners in collaboration with the St. Mary’s County Human Relations Commission, the Lexington Park Neighborhood Strategy Meeting brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to map community resources, identify gaps and develop local strategies for long-term impact.
Building Connections Through Community Input
The evening began with introductions and a “Beachball Connections” exercise, designed to encourage conversation and build rapport among attendees. Participants then transitioned into a deeper discussion centered on mapping community resources and evaluating how effectively those services reach families in need.
Facilitators guided small-group discussions focused on identifying strengths, gaps and opportunities within Lexington Park. The goal: to ensure that future strategies reflect the real experiences and needs of the community.
Key themes that emerged included improving communication between agencies, increasing awareness of available services and creating more accessible pathways for families seeking support.
Spotlight On Building Bridges
A highlight of the evening was a presentation from Building Bridges, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization based in Lexington Park that is community-focused and dedicated to connecting youth and families with opportunities for growth and stability.
The Building Bridges presentation brought both urgency and heart to the evening, offering a closer look at the grassroots effort supporting youth and families across the community.
Founded during the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization emerged from a simple mission: meet needs where they exist.
“I started Building Bridges in 2020, right in the heart of COVID,” the founder, Patrice Campbell, shared.
What followed was years of persistence and teamwork.
“We were on the phone sometimes until 1 in the morning trying to make a dollar out of 15 cents,” she said.
She credited her core team for standing by her from the beginning.
“When I called and said, ‘Guys, I want to do a thing,’ they said, ‘OK.’ No questions, and they’ve been here ever since.”
That commitment now translates into direct support for families in crisis.
“Families could call us and say, ‘I’m homeless… I need food… my kids need coats — whatever,’” a team member said. “We find a way. We make it happen.”
Youth Voices Lead The Way
A standout moment came when the Building Bridges Youth Action Committee addressed the room, speaking candidly about the challenges facing local teens.
“We are here to… work together and transform ideas while serving the community,” Jamari McClure-Hewitt said.
He emphasized the need for safe spaces, stronger support systems and more opportunities.
“There can be more activities… more places for teens to hang out… to help them stay out of the streets,” McClure-Hewitt said.
A Call To Act
The discussion quickly turned toward solutions, with community members offering ideas and support and even volunteering to be mentors to the youth.
Organizers pointed to mentorship as a critical next step.
“We still need support. We need mentors from the community willing to step up,” organizers said. “They just need a safe space… a place to talk through what they’re dealing with.”
Many attendees offered their mentorship during the event to help guide and set up the youth in many different fields, including military recruitment to just being someone to talk to.
Strategies For Growth And Support
Participants reviewed initial suggested strategies aimed at increasing access to services and supporting youth development.
Proposed ideas for Lexington Park included:
- Strengthening collaboration among local agencies
- Expanding outreach through schools and community groups
- Hosting regular partner meetings to improve coordination
- Additional recommendations focused on increasing access to behavioral health resources, supporting out-of-school programs and creating more opportunities for youth engagement and leadership.
Attendees also explored the development of a comprehensive community asset map provided by Due East Partners, which gives residents a tool designed to help easily locate services such as health care, food distribution, housing assistance and youth programs.
A Collaborative Path Forward
The meeting is part of a broader Community Asset Mapping and Planning process led by Due East Partners, which began earlier this year and is expected to conclude in May. The initiative includes research, stakeholder input and ongoing updates to refine a communitywide strategy plan.
Due East Partners, a consulting organization specializing in community engagement and strategic planning, is working with local agencies and residents to ensure that solutions are both data-driven and community-informed.
Organizers emphasized that the process is ongoing, encouraging continued feedback from residents as plans are refined and implemented.
Looking Ahead
Next steps include updating the community asset map, incorporating feedback from the meeting and presenting a finalized strategy plan in the coming weeks.
For many in attendance, the event underscored the importance of collaboration in building a stronger, more connected Lexington Park.
As one message displayed during the presentation summarized: “It takes a village — and we are one.”
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