Community resources
Covid-19 has impacted all of us. We hope this page will connect you with those who can help.
Food Assistance
HCPSS Meal Services: HCPSS will be give food to all students regardless of family income. Meals can be picked up at SFES. If you have children in multiple schools, you can pick up all meals at one location, just provide your child(ren)'s name(s). Meals may be pre-ordered and you may assign a designated person to pick up the food for you.
Columbia Community Care has food pantries in three locations on Wednesdays and Saturdays: Oakland Mills Middle School, Swansfield Elementary School, and Howard High School. Visit their website for more details.
Free and Reduced Meals Program: Many families are eligible to participate in the FARMs program, which helps families save money and opens access to many resources and discounts, including testing fees, tuition, internet and much more. FARMs enrollment and participation is confidential. Families must reapply each year. Find more information and apply online.
Howard County Library System
The HCLS website has a large listing of local agencies offering assistance as well as links to the most up-to-date information on the pandemic. There is information about borrowing library materials with contactless pickup, lists of available digital resources and tools, and connections to online tutoring.
Tutoring and Learning
Oakland Mills Online (OMO) is an online social learning platform founded by Oakland Mills families in March to keep our community connected while we are socially isolated.
For the Fall, OMO will have
Oakland Mills United is a community group started by recent OMHS graduates. They will be offering FREE tutoring sessions with high school and college student tutors. They are also building an OM advocacy group with students from OMHS, OMMS, and with parents from the OM elementary schools.
A-OK (Assist Our Kids) Mentoring & Tutoring exists to help Howard County elementary and middle school students who are struggling to succeed. This FREE service connects elementary (and middle) school students with adults for mentoring and to help with school work.
Food Assistance
HCPSS Meal Services: HCPSS will be give food to all students regardless of family income. Meals can be picked up at SFES. If you have children in multiple schools, you can pick up all meals at one location, just provide your child(ren)'s name(s). Meals may be pre-ordered and you may assign a designated person to pick up the food for you.
Columbia Community Care has food pantries in three locations on Wednesdays and Saturdays: Oakland Mills Middle School, Swansfield Elementary School, and Howard High School. Visit their website for more details.
Free and Reduced Meals Program: Many families are eligible to participate in the FARMs program, which helps families save money and opens access to many resources and discounts, including testing fees, tuition, internet and much more. FARMs enrollment and participation is confidential. Families must reapply each year. Find more information and apply online.
Howard County Library System
The HCLS website has a large listing of local agencies offering assistance as well as links to the most up-to-date information on the pandemic. There is information about borrowing library materials with contactless pickup, lists of available digital resources and tools, and connections to online tutoring.
Tutoring and Learning
Oakland Mills Online (OMO) is an online social learning platform founded by Oakland Mills families in March to keep our community connected while we are socially isolated.
For the Fall, OMO will have
- Toddler Tuesdays with support from the HCLS East Columbia Branch Librarian Miss Chris with a Preschool Story Time at 11am and a Baby/Toddler Story Time at 10am
- Academic Support Wednesdays with free tutors (retired teachers) available each afternoon, journaling in the morning, and other student-focused sessions
- Afternoon after-school clubs at 4pm (Spanish Club on Wednesdays with HCLS Librarian and Dungeons and Dragons Club on Thursdays)
- Book Groups at 5pm, from Harry Potter to popular adult fiction and nonfiction
- Evening Sessions include study groups and community forums that engage our community in conversation about topics and issues that are impacting us
Oakland Mills United is a community group started by recent OMHS graduates. They will be offering FREE tutoring sessions with high school and college student tutors. They are also building an OM advocacy group with students from OMHS, OMMS, and with parents from the OM elementary schools.
A-OK (Assist Our Kids) Mentoring & Tutoring exists to help Howard County elementary and middle school students who are struggling to succeed. This FREE service connects elementary (and middle) school students with adults for mentoring and to help with school work.