Oakland Mills Village
Oakland Mills High School is a small school where students are known by name. OhanaHC fits in naturally, a close circle of mentors and students who show up for one another and stay.
Oakland Mills High School
ScorpionsColumbia, Maryland
Where students find their voice
An Ohana belongs in a small, close community, and that is what our club meetings are built to be.
No two of our meetings open the same way. What holds steady is the focus on connecting with one another. Different adults and mentors join us at every meeting, so there is always a fresh chance to ask a question or hear an idea you have not come across before.
One day the group goes around the room, each person sharing a thing or two while the others ask questions. The next it is a game tied to the topic of the day, or a look at the events ahead. From there we settle into a discussion or a presentation, with a wrap-up if there is time.
This year the students will be helping to run the meetings themselves, which gives them room to put what they learn into practice. After a talk on self-advocacy, a student might name a few specific things to try that week and beyond, then come back to a later meeting and share how it went.
Join us
Students are always welcome to stop by a weekly club meeting, meet the OhanaHC community, and get a feel for the program firsthand.
Who We Are
- Village Coordinators
- Andrea Marthinus and Jose Ward
- School Liaisons
- Juana Vanderpuye Orgle and Veronica Gimpel (HCPSS staff)
At club meetings, you’ll find our Village staff greeting students at the door, taking a turn leading a lesson or a game, sharing what is coming up, and checking in with each young person about how they are really doing.
The wish they hold for every student in the village is simple: that they feel heard, valued, and supported.
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Juana Vanderpuye Orgle
School Liaison
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Veronica Gimpel
School Liaison
See OhanaHC Through Their Eyes
Every student, mentor and family brings something different to OhanaHC. Read their stories to see the relationships, milestones, and everyday moments that make the experience meaningful.
I felt so proud when a parent shared that they believed the reason their son graduated from high school was because of his involvement in the program.
What our village has changed for youth
The strongest relationships are often built through small moments like these from the Oakland Mills Village.
A first step toward independence
One student spent much of his time alone, with a single parent working long hours. His mentors kept in close contact and made time to get together with him. They encouraged him to open his first bank account and went with him to do it. He came into the next club meeting beaming, showing everyone his new bank card.
A setback that became a lesson
One student turned in the paperwork for a school sport too late and missed the season, even with a mentor offering advice and rides. That taught him how to follow through. The next year he had everything in on time. He made the team he wanted and had a strong season.
A celebration that made her day
After hearing good news about one student, her Ohana filled her phone with cheerful messages. She told them those simple words of encouragement made her entire day.
Join the Oakland Mills village
Oakland Mills is a village that stays close. The mentors and students here keep their relationships going and keep showing up for each other.
Make a connection opens in a new tab Become a mentor opens in a new tab
We may be small, but we remain mighty. Go Scorps!