Who We Support | TowerCares Foundation

Examples of Your Donation Dollars at Work

The TowerCares Foundation supports charitable organizations that serve children in need, as well as brave and heroic veterans, active military, and civilian service personnel who sacrificed while protecting our freedom and their impacted families.

Generous cash and in-kind donations from businesses allow us to direct the vast majority of donations from individuals to supporting worthy charities aligned with our mission. We invite you to get to know more about a few of the charities we have supported thus far.

Gigi’s Playhouse

Gigi’s Playhouse, located in Annapolis, Md., seeks to change the way the world views Down syndrome through national campaigns and educational programs, and by empowering individuals with Down syndrome, their families and community. The TowerCares grant will fund Gigi’s Math Tutoring Program, which supports the learning styles of individuals with Down syndrome ages 3 and up, and helps them apply new learned math skills to real-world experiences. The tutoring program helps boost students’ self-esteem and confidence, and supports the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills, greater independence and autonomy and increased inclusion in general education classes. The TowerCares grant will go towards the purchase of teaching materials and student take-home kits, the cost of learning lab space and ongoing supply replenishment costs.

Melwood Horticultural Training Center – Operation Tohidu (OpT)

Operation Tohidu (OpT) is a five-day intensive retreat for Veterans and active-duty service members who are experiencing service-related trauma. OpT applies adventure-based activities and mindfulness techniques to help participants achieve peace with the past through power in the present. The program helps participants reframe their past experience and trauma by learning new coping strategies and skills. The TowerCares grant will help offset the cost of meals, uniforms, and materials for one Veteran.

BellXcel – After School Middle School Program

The TowerCares grant supports BellXcel’s After School Middle School Program in Baltimore, Md. The program prepares middle school students from impoverished Baltimore City neighborhoods for college and career success. Students in low income families, ages 10-16, participate in the program free of charge. Program goals include maintaining daily attendance in school, increasing literacy/math scores, growing self-confidence and social skills, and encouraging parent involvement.

A Sanctuary for Military Families – Project Sanctuary

Project Sanctuary is a therapeutic program that addresses specific needs of at-risk heroes and their families. The program includes marriage guidance, financial sustainability training and PTSD field guide classes. Through a six-day retreat and two years of pre- and post-retreat assistance, families make long-term progress toward self-sufficiency, which helps strengthen the family unit, community, military and country. The TowerCares grant will support a retreat in Reisterstown, Md., for multiple families.

Tri-County Council Foundation – Project Opportunity

The TowerCares grant supports Project Opportunity, a free ten-week entrepreneurship program for Veterans and active duty/reserve personnel who wish to start a small business or expand a currently operating one. Classes are held in four locations throughout Maryland, including Howard and Prince George’s counties, and are taught by experts in the fields of marketing, law, accounting, banking and sales. Participants in the program learn how to write and implement a formal business plan. Eligible candidates are referred to the program by the State of Maryland, the Maryland Unemployment Office and the Veterans Administration (VA).

Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation was founded in memory of firefighter Stephen Siller who was killed in the Twin Towers on 9/11. The TowerCares grant to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation is designated for the family of Senior Petty Officer Shannon Kent, a Navy Chief Cryptologic Technician stationed at Fort Meade who was killed in the line of duty in Syria. The TowerCares funds will help to pay down Officer Kent’s mortgage so that her husband and two small children can stay in their family home.

Partners in Care Veteran Support

Among other programs, Partners in Care provides Veterans 50 years and older with mobility buses, house repair services and the Ride Partners program. Coordinators, staff and volunteers connect Veterans to a range of Partners in Care services. The TowerCares grant will help provide transportation for Veterans to medical services and recreational activities, and will help with respite care for Veterans’ caregivers and family members. Partners in Care provides a hands-on social support network for Veterans to deter isolation and depression.

Fisher House Foundation – Heroes’ Legacy Scholarship Program

Fisher House builds comfort homes at military and VA medical centers so that our heroes and their families have a place to stay when dealing with medical treatments. Among other programs they provide, Fisher House supports a Heroes’ Legacy Scholarship program for dependent, unmarried children under the age of 23, whose parent has fallen in battle, died or were disabled through active military service. TowerCares grant funds will be used to help provide Heroes’ Legacy Scholarships.

Baltimore Research and Education Foundation, Inc. (BREF) – Baltimore Vets & Pets Foster Program

The Baltimore Vets & Pets Foster Program encourages and supports Baltimore-area Veterans to become foster caretakers for animals housed at the Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter (BARCS). The goal is to increase the physical and psychological health of Veterans and to help guard against suicide. Companion pets can provide Veterans with stability and strength, unconditional love, emotional health and physical activity. The TowerCares grant will help purchase pet supplies and provide veterinary care.

Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating

Located in Annapolis, Md., the mission of Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB) is to bring the thrill, freedom, and therapeutic value of boating to people with disabilities, recovering warriors, and youth from at-risk communities. The TowerCares grant supports the Recovering Warrior/Family Sailing Clinic, which brings together recovering military and their family members to learn how to sail. Sailing instruction is provided by a professional USCG Masters licensed skipper covering sailing basics to racing strategy and tactics. The TowerCares grant will be used to help fund the cost of sailing, instruction materials, housing, transportation, and more.

Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation

The mission of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation is to seek a cure for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life for children and adults affected by these diseases. The TowerCares grant supports Camp Oasis, a summer camp that enriches the lives of pediatric IBD patients by providing a safe, supportive camp community among their peers. The camp offers an environment of self-empowerment for patients giving them a sanctuary where they can simply be kids and have fun. The TowerCares grant will help cover food, camp staffers, equipment, and supplies for three local children that could not otherwise afford camp.

Literacy Council of Carroll County

The Literacy Council of Carroll County is a non-governmental, non-profit, primarily volunteer organization that provides one-on-one tutoring for clients in need of reading, writing, and mathematical skills improvement. TowerCares’ grant will help support the Carroll Veterans Career Assistance Program, which provides veterans residing in Carroll County the opportunity to develop skills, competencies, and strategies for successful transition from military service to a position within their desired career field.

Resiliency & Education Center

The renovation of Kuhn Hall on the Fort Meade base will create a new 9,000 square foot Resiliency & Education Center to help soldiers, veterans, DOD civilians, and their families connect to resources and empower them to be the best that they can be. The new center will help connect Fort Meade community members to local wellness programs, mental health services, education and transition services, substance abuse counseling, and legal assistance. As the first designated check-in facility for new military families, the center will provide services for transitioning military families to link to area schools, housing, and other services. The TowerCares grant to the Fort Meade Alliance Foundation will help provide a kiosk in the lobby of Kuhn Hall with a directory of available services and programs.

Operation NPLB Outdoor, Inc.

Operation NPLB Outdoor, Inc., affiliated with Operation Second Chance, is committed to serving wounded, injured and ill combat veterans. The organization supports veterans while they recover in military hospitals, including Walter Reed Medical Center and their families, by building relationships and identifying and supporting immediate needs. The TowerCares grant will fund outdoor events designed to help veterans who are having trouble adapting to life after being wounded. They can learn to deal with their physical and mental injuries, see that they can still do things they did before they were injured, get back out in society, and feel accepted.

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

The mission of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is to help find missing children, reduce child exploitation, and prevent child victimization. Since 1984, the center has served as the national clearinghouse and resource center for families, victims, private organizations, law enforcement and the public. The TowerCares grant will help fund the center’s Volunteer Engagement Program, to increase the potential of reaching more families and children with recovery assistance and critically important safety education. Volunteers will be trained to assist with missing and exploited children and their families, with the hope of reaching a larger audience by increasing the number of volunteers both locally and nationally.

Hope for Warriors

Hope for Warriors provides comprehensive support programs for service members, veterans, and military families that are focused on transition, health and wellness, peer engagement, and connections to community resources. The TowerCares grant will help fund Couples Wellness Retreats for post 9/11 military combat-injured veterans and their spouses. The retreats provide time for relaxation and reconnection with the ultimate goal of improving well-being, both as an individual and a couple.

Camp Attaway

Camp Attaway is a summer day camp program in Howard County, Md. for children ages 7-13 with emotional and behavioral challenges. The three-week camp offers a variety of activities designed to ensure a safe, therapeutic environment, and most importantly, fun-filled days for children, along with a weekly support and education group for parents. Campers learn life skills like coping, self-control, positive image, and making friends. TheTowerCares grant will help provide scholarships/tuition assistance.

Maryland Family Network

The Maryland Family Network (MFN) ensures that children ages, birth through five, years and their families have the resources to learn and succeed. MFN is the only statewide early childhood advocacy organization. The TowerCares grant will provide funding for a two-day Parent Café at or near Fort Meade. During the Parent Café, parents of young children learn strategies to increase their knowledge and skills, reduce stress/increase peace and well-being by building family strengths to help reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect, and build a peer-to-peer process which engages parents in meaningful conversations and provides significant opportunities for parent leadership to create Parent Cafés in their communities.

TowerCares is partnering with the Maryland Family Network to provide a free Strengthening Families Maryland Parent Café Facilitator Training Workshop on September 12-13 in Linthicum, MD. Details.

A Wider Circle

A Wider Circle provides basic needs such as furniture and other household items for families living in poverty. TowerCares’ grant funds will be designated to help 100 veterans and their families transform their homes into comfortable, dignified spaces helping them take the first steps on their journey out of poverty toward independence.

Our Military Kids

Families of National Guard, Reservists and wounded warriors from all branches of service face unique challenges: they live in civilian communities, but lack the support of a military base. Our Military Kids helps children ages 5 through high school to improve their physical health, and reduce the stress and accompanying psychological symptoms observed in children of service members who are deployed or severely injured. The TowerCares’ grant will be used to fund extra-curricular activities in sports, the arts and tutoring.

Operation First Response

Operation First Response offers assistance to wounded military members and their families facing financial difficulties due to injury or illness. Support is provided throughout recovery and the transition from military to civilian life. Financial assistance is available to cover emergency basic needs such as groceries, utility bills, rent and clothing. TowerCares’ grant will help assist 20 wounded military heroes and their families in our service area.

No Warrior Left Behind

No Warrior Left Behind is committed to honoring, saluting and supporting members of the military and first responders. Their Operation Hidden Wounds program focuses on education and training for law enforcement and first responders who are frequently called upon to handle escalated situations with veterans who suffer from PTSD and traumatic brain injuries, as well as those at risk of committing suicide. The program seeks to identify appropriate remedies, alternative therapies and best practices to obtain a peaceful resolution. Veterans participate in the training by sharing their experiences.

National Military Family Association

The National Military Family Association has assisted military families for close to 50 years. The Association hosts Operation Purple Camp, a week-long camp that brings together children of wounded, deployed or reintegrating service members to help them learn effective communication skills and build relationships with peers that have shared military experience. TowerCares’ grant will be used to send 100 military children living in our service area to camp.

Travis Manion Foundation

The Travis Manion Foundation works to empower veterans and families of fallen heroes to help develop character in future generations, and to assist veterans in their transition from service. The Foundation hosts Veteran Transition Workshops, which provides resources and training to help post-9/11 military service members and their families to flourish personally and professionally.

Comfort Cases

Comfort Cases provides overnight bags for youth, newborn to age 21, entering the foster care system in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. Each bag is filled with new items including pajamas, blanket, stuffed animal, book, fun activity, hygiene kit and dental kit. Entering foster care is a chaotic and scary experience, and Comfort Cases helps to provide basic needs, comfort, and a sense of dignity by providing children a special bag they can call their own.

To view Comfort Cases’ wishlist of donated items, click here.

Comfort Cases was recently featured on NBC News! Click here to watch the video.

STARS Foundation of the Reserve Officers Association

The STARS Foundation of the Reserve Officers Association supports the mental and physical well-being of those serving in the National Guard and their families. The National Guard and Reserve continue to have high numbers of suicide and problems with post-traumatic stress disorder. TowerCares sponsored a mental health seminar for those serving in the National Guard and Reserves in June 2017. Attendees included Congressional members and staff, Pentagon senior leaders, and service members from Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Warrior Canine Connection

Warrior Canine Connection offers a unique program in which veterans train companion animals for fellow veterans who suffer from brain injuries or post-traumatic stress. The organization currently operates in three states, and has been recognized at the highest levels of the Department of Defense. Their Mission-Based Trauma Recovery Therapy Program is part of the medical protocol at many military hospitals.

Patriot Point

Patriot Point provides a relaxing and safe environment to enjoy outdoor recreational activities for our nation’s wounded service members and their families. It gives a much needed respite in a country setting to active and retired military personnel. Located near Cambridge, Md., Patriot Point provides activities, accommodations, meals, and therapeutic services. TowerCares donated several new kayaks and paddleboards for use by guests, and is funding the addition of a guesthouse wheelchair lift to provide needed access for disabled veterans.

Hero Dogs

Located in Brookeville, Md., Hero Dogs trains and provides service companion animals for disabled veterans. It takes almost three years to complete the training/placement process at a cost of almost $40,000 per placement. TowerCares helps fund the last phase of training, where the veteran and service dog are matched and begin their lives together.

Final Salute, Inc.

Final Salute, Inc. provides emergency housing programs for women veterans and their minor children. TowerCares supports Project H.O.M.E. (Housing Outreach Mentorship Encouragement) which provides transitional housing, food, clothing, transportation, child care assistance and other essential support services for homeless women veterans and their children in Final Salute’s Emergency Housing Facility in Virginia. TowerCares also provided funds to assist with much-needed renovations of the homeless shelter.

Boys & Girls Club of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County serves more than 2,200 youth, 6-18, through five full-service Clubs in Anne Arundel County. Clubs are open every day after school and whenever school is out, when youth most need productive outlets and a safe place to learn and grow. TowerCares provides full support for the Keystone Club leadership program within the Freetown Village Clubhouse. This program is for teens, 14-18, focusing on community service, outreach, academic success, and career preparation.

Y in Central Maryland

TowerCares supports the U.S. Naval Academy Beyond School Walls Program, which pairs midshipmen with at-risk elementary school-aged students in Anne Arundel County. Each month, students in grades 3-5 at Germantown Elementary are transported to the Naval Academy to spend two hours with their mentors engaged in STEM and other enrichment activities designed to promote positive youth development.

Paul’s Place

Paul’s Place works to help improve the quality of life in Southeast Baltimore communities through programs, services, and support that strengthen individuals and families, fostering hope, personal dignity, and growth. TowerCares helps fund after-school programs for students in grades 1-12 at which they can enjoy a hot meal and personal support while pursuing academic interests, recreation, and job skills in a safe and nurturing environment.

Maryland Center for Veteran Education & Training

The Maryland Center for Veteran Education & Training, located in Baltimore, MD, empowers homeless veterans to achieve economic self-sufficiency and residential stability. TowerCares is helping to provide a Study Room/Computer Café at their facility for veterans in need to use for workforce development, college endeavors, and to connect with their families and other students.

To watch a video about MCVET’s services, click here.

MCVET is holding a winter coat drive through Nov. 1 to help homeless veterans. Click here for details.

Zachary Hebda Foundation

Zachary Hebda Foundation provides support and programs for children battling cancer. TowerCares supports Camp Sunrise, an annual summer camp in Annapolis, Md. that provides a normal camping experience for young cancer patients. Camp Sunrise is 100% cost free to campers and provides 24-hour pediatric oncology medical support, all meals, daily activities, lodging, prizes and a lifetime of memories.

Fort Meade Alliance Foundation

The Kenneth O. McCreedy Scholarship Fund

The first initiative of the Fort Meade Alliance Foundation, this scholarship assists students who have a financial need and are graduating from Meade High School with plans to study science, technology, engineering, math (STEM subjects) or linguistics in college.

Hospice of the Chesapeake

We Honor Veterans

This program includes the annual Veterans Day event that honors veterans for their service, and the Honor Salute Program that provides a final tribute to veterans in hospice care.

Do you like to quilt or crochet? Click here to learn about a volunteer opportunity with the Hospice of the Chesapeake.

Johns Hopkins Children’s Center

The Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, a local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, offers one of the most comprehensive pediatric medical programs in the country, with more than 92,000 patient visits and nearly 9,000 admissions each year. It is Maryland’s largest children’s hospital and the only state-designated Trauma Service and Burn Unit for pediatric patients.

Maryland Therapeutic Riding

Military Ridership Program

This specialty therapeutic riding program provides equine therapy for military personnel and veterans. TowerCares’ donation will provide an entire year of ridership for one injured military member.

Sarah’s House

Our grant supports licensed daycare for the children of families staying at Sarah’s House, a transitional homeless shelter. Through access to this childcare, parents are able to seek employment or job training that can ultimately help them escape homelessness.

USO Metropolitan Washington / Baltimore, Fort Meade

The grant supports a variety of programs meant to bring joy to military families associated with Fort Meade.