Page 8 - July 2021 Issue.indd

Shore United Bank Gift Launches Channel Fund are proud to be a part of this
effort,” John R. Valliant, President of
Marker Caroline Youth Center Campaign the Grayce B. Kerr Fund, Inc. said. “We
recognize the acute call for this facil-
A gift from Shore United Bank is able naming opportunities including ity – in Caroline County more than 80
launching the public phase of an excit- the center itself, the main recreational
children are receiving rehabilitation for
ing new $250,000 fundraising effort, room, a technology laboratory, a teach-
challenging mental illness while others
The Campaign to Build Trust, Hope, ing kitchen, the supervisor’s office, a are often relegated to the waiting list.”

and Dignity in Caroline County, to large group room, the front entrance,
create a new youth center for children and a small group room, among other Founded in 1982, Channel Marker
ages 5 to 18 suffering with mental spaces. promotes health and wellness through
illness. prevention programs, rehabilitation,
Leadership donors to the campaign and community services; our work is
The $5,000 grant supports the purchase include the Grayce B. Kerr Fund, the widely recognized across three Mid-

of a new home and necessary renova- Van Strum Foundation, and Win Trans- Shore Maryland counties as a valued
tions to transform the lives of Caroline port. Nearly 50 individuals and busi-
community asset. Launched to teach
County children. Located in Denton, nesses have also supported the eff ort. independent living and vocational skills
this new center will provide children to a handful of people whose lives had
with critical life-altering support, help- “Shore United Bank is pleased to been upended by mental illness when
ing children acquire the necessary skills support the important work Channel there were few community-based
to cope with mental health challenges at Marker does and especially this much- resources in the area, today Channel
home, at school or out in the commu- needed new center in Caroline County,” Marker is staffed by 60 and has an
nity. At the Caroline Youth Center, they said Debra Rich, Chief Marketing and annual operating budget of $4.6 million.
will learn about their diagnoses, manag- Project Offi cer. “Channel Marker makes Channel Marker provides program-
ing behavioral triggers while setting an enormous difference on the Mid- ming promoting independent living
achievable goals toward wellness, and Shore and this new facility will provide skills, social skills, and coping strate-
making better real-life decisions. critical support for families and youth gies for clients with mental illnesses
in our community.”
including depression, bi-polar disorder,
With this gift, early investors in this
project have committed more than “Compelled by the mission of Channel schizophrenia, ADHD, and mood disor-
$150,000 toward the $250,000 goal. Marker and the pressing need for this ders. Channel Marker also provides
The new center features many avail- new center, the trustees of the Kerr modern daytime rehabilitation facili-
ties in Talbot, Dorchester, and Caroline
Counties as well as seven residential
properties offering much-needed low-

income housing supporting rehabilita-
tive efforts in a home setting.

An open house in the Fall will mark the
launching of the campaign.

For more information about Chan-
nel Marker and the Caroline Youth
Campaign, visit ChannelMarker.org.
For more information about Shore
United Bank, visit ShoreUnitedBank.
com.

If you are in need of food,
Aaron's Place Pantry is open
Tuesday thru Thursday from 9
am to 2 pm, no appointment
Shore United Bank grant launches Channel Marker’s “Building Trust, Hope and needed. Please call 443-243-
Dignity in Caroline County” youth center campaign.Pictured left to right: Cathy

Cassell, Executive Director at Channel Marker and Debra Rich, Chief Marketing 5906 if any questions or need
and Project Officer at Shore United Bank. emergency food.

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