Brooklyn, NY – Beam, a civic tech organization that powers digital infrastructure for resilient communities, today announced a partnership with San Mar Family & Community Services through their Bester Community of Hope initiative to launch a new Family Scholarship program. Funded by a state grant, the two-year initiative will enroll 150 families in the South End of Hagerstown, Maryland into a program that blends financial education and goal development with a monthly scholarship of $700, delivered via prepaid cards to support their economic well-being and stability.
Addressing Critical Needs
This program is a key component of the state’s groundbreaking Engaging Neighborhoods, Organizations, Unions, Governments and Households (ENOUGH) initiative. The ENOUGH initiative, which was officially announced by the Governor's Office for Children on December 12, 2024, is the first-of-its-kind state-led, community-based strategy to fight poverty. It's designed to surge resources directly into neighborhoods that have been disproportionately impacted by systemic barriers to wealth creation and economic mobility.
For too long, childhood poverty has denied many children in Maryland the ability to reach their full potential. The ENOUGH initiative and this new Family Scholarship recognize that people who live in a community are best positioned to lead change. By putting funding and power directly into the hands of neighborhood organizations and residents, the program aims to create a new model for poverty reduction—one that is community-led and transparent.
“At Beam, we've long understood that a truly just and resilient community is built not just with good intentions but with transformative, thoughtful policy. The community led passage and implementation of the ENOUGH Act under Governor Moore’s leadership is a powerful example of what is possible when government, organizations like San Mar, and communities work together to untangle and deconstruct the layers of complexity that stand in the way of progress,” said David Helene, founder and CEO of Beam. “This partnership isn't just about delivering financial assistance; it's a testament to the fact that the most effective and dignified solutions are the ones designed to meet people where they are, trusting them to lead the way to a more prosperous future”
San Mar Family & Community Services, the identified Community Quarterback for the ENOUGH initiative’s Track Three implementation grant, is committed to authentic community engagement throughout this process. Residents and stakeholders of the South End community are encouraged to get involved and drive these investments in their community.
“For too long, our important neighborhood work has had to focus on immediate crisis, rather than having enough resources to implement strategies that could bring about sustainable change for families. We believe the Family Scholarship, which is one part of a larger neighborhood wide strategy, will be a way to build bridges from surviving to thriving,” said Keith Fanjoy, CEO of San Mar Family and Community Services. “It balances necessary resources, with long-term goals and programmatic support from staff and other neighborhood residents, to ensure we are starting with the end in mind. We’re very thankful for the wisdom and proven systems in place from Beam, a nationally recognized organization to help us not only carry out this effort but also support us as a thought partner.”
This two-year program uses a randomized selection model to identify participants on the benefits cliff not currently eligible for important resources through other government programs and will use pre-paid cards as the sole method of payment, ensuring funds are delivered securely and efficiently. The program aims to serve as a model for how states can partner directly with community-based organizations to provide a streamlined, transparent, and dignified way to deliver financial assistance. In addition to the direct financial support, an additional $300 per month will be transferred via Beam to a savings account to create a strong transition at the conclusion of participation.
About the Organizations
About Beam
Beam is a civic tech organization that powers digital infrastructure for more resilient and just communities. Founded in 2016, Beam enables governments, institutions, and nonprofits to quickly and securely deliver cash assistance to people and organizations experiencing an urgent need for support. By supporting programs that catalyze economic development, we help create pathways to prosperity and communities that thrive.
Beam’s configurable cloud-based software helps organizations manage human services and social support programs with complex workflows, from collecting applications to quickly delivering flexible payments to those in need. Our approach helps agencies streamline program administration while addressing common challenges in cash assistance programs, like administrative burden, inefficiency, caseworker capacity, compliance risk, and lack of transparency. Since 2020, we’ve helped organizations deliver more than $375 million in cash assistance to over 350,000 people across the U.S. Learn more about our impact at https://bybeam.co.
About Bester Community of Hope
Bester Community of Hope (BCOH) is an initiative of San Mar Family & Community Services, a 142-year-old organization with its roots in serving children and families connected to child welfare. After several years exploring best practices of how to support prevention and family well-being, BCOH formally launched in 2014 with the support of Casey Family Programs as a technical assistance partner. Today, BCOH leads two key efforts, direct family support and catalyzing neighborhood progress as a neighborhood umbrella entity. Voluntary family services to keep families intact in their neighborhood are done in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Human Services in Washington County. Comprehensive community change is supported by a substantial implementation grant through the Maryland Governor’s Office of Children and the ENOUGH act.
