What Young People Gain From Experiencing Different Cultures and Perspectives
Experiencing different cultures, customs, and perspectives can broaden how young people see the world, communicate with others, and understand what is possible.
A Career Built Around Young People
StoryMentoring
The story
For Chris Matthews, mentoring feels like a natural extension of the work he has spent more than two decades doing with students and families across Howard County Public Schools.
Before moving to the district’s central office, Chris taught special education, where building relationships and helping young people succeed were at the center of his work.
“I’m part of the Wilde Lake Ohana, which is especially meaningful because my wife works at Wilde Lake and currently serves as the school liaison.
I’ve been involved with OhanaHC for about a year now, and it has far exceeded my expectations. I truly value being part of an Ohana (family) and making a difference in our community.”
Today, Chris continues to bring his experience, encouragement, and commitment to young people as a mentor, helping them feel supported as they work toward their own goals.
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What to Know About Neurodiversity and Supporting Young People
Every young person thinks, learns, communicates, and experiences the world a little differently. For some, those differences may be connected to autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or another form of neurodivergence.
Refer a student
Every story here started with an introduction
Somebody told a ninth grader about OhanaHC. If you know a young person in Howard County who could use more adults in their corner, connect us.