Harford County is, in many ways, a wonderful place to live. Our parks, schools, and strong sense of community make it a place many of us are proud to call home. But for too many of our neighbors, the soaring cost of housing, the struggle to earn a living wage, and the unexpected challenges life brings make homelessness an ever-present reality.
At Harford Family House, we are deeply aware of how homelessness affects every member of a household, but especially children. Over the past 36 years, we’ve helped transform the lives of more than five thousand people, including over 850 families, breaking cycles of poverty and planting seeds of hope. And yet, this issue persists.
Homelessness is not just a personal crisis; it’s a community crisis. It affects economic stability, public safety, education, and overall public health. Whether we see it or not, its impact ripples into classrooms, workplaces, and neighborhoods across Harford County.
Imagine the child who cannot focus in school because they slept on the floor of a cousin’s basement last night. Imagine the teenager frustrated after moving three times in one month, carrying the weight of instability no young person should bear. Imagine the single father who desperately wants to keep his job but has no one to care for his child while he works. Imagine the veteran, who once served our country, now struggling alone in an encampment without access to the mental health services they urgently need.
These are not strangers. These are our neighbors. Their circumstances are often shaped by forces beyond their control, job loss, medical emergencies, family conflict, or simply the high cost of housing that outpaces wages.
Children, in particular, feel the emotional and developmental consequences most intensely. Uncertainty interrupts learning. Instability disrupts friendships. Stress erodes confidence. But when families find safety, stability, and support at Harford Family House, everything begins to change. Parents can focus on employment. Children can return to routines and classrooms. Families can rebuild, not just for today, but for generations to come.
This holiday season, as we reflect on what it means to care for our community, we invite you to remember the families who are still searching for a safe place to call home. Together, we can ensure that every child in Harford County has the chance to grow, learn, and thrive, no matter what their starting point.
Because when we lift our most vulnerable neighbors, we strengthen our entire community.