Washington County Council Of Churches

Refugee Welcome Network helps to settle refugees fleeing violence or persecution in their home country and seeking to rebuild their lives in the United States. In 2024, HARC welcomed and supported 24 families/individuals - a total of 70 people. Eleven of those families are now independent.

Lighthouse After-School Program, launched in September 2024, offers fun educational and enrichment programs for more than 200 children in multiple schools. Programs include financial literacy, cooking, songwriting, astronomy, learning through games, arts and more.

Equity in Education Scholarships, a partnership between HARC and WCPS, aims to increase the diversity of educators in our public school system and support retention efforts. Scholarships of $1,500-$7,000 are awarded annually to local racially minoritized students who are pursuing a degree in education or a related field. Since 2022, HARC and WCPS have awarded $45,000 in scholarships, with $15,000 in awards in 2024.

Additionally the work of the Washington Council of Churches for racial justice supported a Black Professionals Network, our interest in a healthy community lead to our support of a Parish Nursing program and we continued the practice of passing donated funds through to the work of local food pantries

HARC supported the work of the Parish Nursing program, the work of local Food Pantries and various justice initiatives