A 501(c)(3) youth mentoring nonprofit · Howard County, MD 501(c)(3) · Howard County, MD
Volunteer Application Refer a Student Partner Contact
Become a Mentor Donate

Wilde Lake Village

Wilde Lake High School is where OhanaHC began. As the first school, it set the standard for every one that followed. Students and staff are proud to be part of the Wilde Lake community, a place where, as one of the school’s own once put it, the staff would not want to be anywhere else. That pride still shows up in real ways, including at the 5K.

Become a Mentor opens in a new tab Refer a Student opens in a new tab
The Wilde Lake High School crest

Wilde Lake High School

Wildecats
Columbia, Maryland
Our Story

Relaxed and always there

Five Wilde Lake students in the school atrium, holding trays of cupcakes they brought to the club meeting

Club meetings start easy, usually over food someone in the village brings. The group checks in on how everyone is doing, and from there a meeting might follow a planned activity or a guest speaker, or simply let the conversation go where students need it to that day.

Between meetings, mentors connect with school counselors to support students who are struggling, and show up at games and cheer events to cheer them on. The idea is a steady one: someone is always there.

Read stories from Wilde Lake

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.

Refer a student opens in a new tab

Who We Are

Now in a fifth year leading the Wilde Lake village, Francine is a retired teacher who knows the school system inside out and loves being in on the action, working with mentors, students, families, and school liaisons alike.

Much of the role is helping mentors connect with their students and planning the get-togethers that keep the village close. The Village Coordinators also connect with students’ school counselors to support students who are struggling in their classes, and attend sporting events, including cheerleading.

The wish here for every student is simple: that they take hold of the support around them, from OhanaHC and their mentors, and use it to reach the goals they set for themselves.

Village Coordinators
Sharon Cantor (teacher) and Francine Henderson
School Liaisons
Claire Mathews and Renelle Burgess (HCPSS staff)
In Our Words

See OhanaHC Through Their Eyes

The most rewarding part is being in on the action! I get to work with all members of the community, to include mentors, students, families, and school liaisons.
A Wilde Lake village coordinator
Impact

What a mentor can change

The Wilde Lake village in front of the OhanaHC backdrop at the Ohana 5K, several of them holding their awards

  • Back-to-back champs

    Wilde Lake is proud to bring the most participants to the OhanaHC 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run & Walk year after year.

  • Showing up at games

    Between meetings, mentors connect with school counselors to support students who are struggling, and show up at games and cheer events to cheer them on.

A few moments that made a difference in our Wilde Lake Village.

  • Ready for her first opportunity

    One student applied for her first job at the mall and had never sat for an interview. Her mentors practiced with her until she was ready. The interview went well, and she got the job.

  • The encouragement to graduate

    Another student was at risk of not graduating. With the Village Coordinator’s encouragement, she accepted the help needed to complete her classes and went to summer school so she could graduate.

OhanaHC’s community impact

Help keep the Wildecats going

Wilde Lake started something. You can help it grow.

Refer a student opens in a new tab Become a mentor opens in a new tab