Our Mission, History & Community Needs
Our Mission:
“HSP gives HOPE, inspires CHANGE, and provides OPPORTUNITY
by mobilizing our community in the fight against poverty.”
Hope, change, and opportunity are the driving forces behind everything we do at Human Services Programs of Carroll County, Inc.
We believe that with the right support, everyone can embrace hope, make meaningful changes, and take advantage of opportunities that will lead to a fulfilling and self-sufficient life.
Our History:
Our founder, the late Sylvia Canon Haines, outside her home in Westminster.
(Photo Courtesy of Tom Canon)
Human Services Programs of Carroll County, Inc. is a non-profit Community Action Agency that was originally founded in 1987 by Sylvia Canon Haines.
In the 1980’s, Sylvia worked for the Department of Social Services in Carroll County. She noticed that there were people who needed services that were not being provided – mainly shelter for homeless women and children. In 1985, she started the women’s shelter under the umbrella of the Department of Social Services. In 1987, taking a huge leap of faith, she made the decision to break away from Social Services and create the non-profit entity – Human Services Programs of Carroll County, Inc.
Sylvia had a gift for seeing the gaps in services available to the community and rallying the right people to address those needs. She knew that a non-profit agency would have more flexibility and creativity for solving the unique needs of those who were falling through the cracks. She and her agency even played a role in creating and incubating several other area non-profits. She was truly an inspiring force in the Carroll County community and her legacy will leave ripples of hope in the Carroll County community for decades to come.
Over the past 30 years, HSP developed programming to meet the unique needs of Carroll County residents struggling with poverty. Each of our eighteen current programs was created in response to an unmet need in our community.
HSP continues to honor Sylvia’s legacy by embracing the philosophy of “filling in the gaps” for our Carroll County neighbors and “mobilizing the community” to join us in our fight against poverty. Will you help us make sure that those who are struggling don’t fall through the cracks? Click DONATE NOW to join the movement to end poverty.
We are proud members of the Maryland Community Action Partnership and the national Community Action Partnership: America’s Poverty Fighting Network.
We are proud partners of many state and local agencies, foundations, and local organizations, and we assist thousands of Carroll County residents each year.