Gatekeepers

Our Mission is to Motivate, Empower, and Encourage
Washington and Baltimore County's Returning Citizens
(1)

08/24/2026

Join us on September 14th for Gatekeepers Plant Bingo at Veva’s on Potomac! Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and games begin at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $35 and include 10 bingo games and a small plant, with live plants as prizes throughout the evening, a rare plant grand prize, raffles, and door prizes. All proceeds benefit Gatekeepers and help us continue the work we do in our community. A special thank you to The Garden at Creep Hill for putting together this fun event and supporting our mission. We hope to see you there!

08/16/2026

Gatekeepers is proud to sponsor a team in the Ruth Ann Monroe Summer Basketball League Ruthann V. Monroe Sbl.

Today, our founder Bill Gaertner and Operations Director Julia Smoot had the opportunity to come out and support our players from the sidelines.

Programs like the Ruth Ann Monroe Summer League give young athletes a place to build teamwork, discipline, confidence, and positive relationships—much like the Business of Living.

We’re proud of our team and grateful to everyone who continues to make this summer tradition possible!

08/12/2026

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our dear friend and Gatekeepers family member, Howard Coleman, who passed away peacefully on Friday, July 17, after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

Born in Baltimore, Howard proudly served our country as a military veteran before facing his own journey through incarceration. Like so many of the individuals we serve, Howard's story became one of redemption and purpose.

Howard eventually found his calling at Gatekeepers. For years, he faithfully transported our participants to and from work, picked men and women up upon their release from prison, drove clients to medical appointments, and made sure no one was left behind. His phone was always on, and no matter the hour, if someone needed help, the answer was often, "Call Howard." Day or night, he was ready to answer that call.

Through treatments and difficult days, he remained committed to the people he cared so deeply about and continued to play an essential role in our ministry. He understood what it meant to receive a second chance, and he spent the rest of his life making sure others had one too.

Howard, thank you for every mile driven, every phone call answered and every life you touched. Your impact on Gatekeepers and our community will never be forgotten.

Rest in peace, Howard. You will always be a part of the Gatekeepers family.

07/28/2026

Gatekeepers was honored to attend the United Way of Washington County Award Ceremony and celebrate the incredible impact being made throughout our community.

We are incredibly grateful to United Way of Washington County, Maryland for awarding Gatekeepers a grant to support the relaunch of our Next Steps Program.

Next Steps was created to support our clients beyond immediate basic needs assistance by providing the tools and resources necessary for long-term stability and success. Through this program, participants will have access to meaningful programming focused on areas such as financial literacy, parenting skills, conflict resolution, personal development, and other essential life skills that strengthen individuals, families, and our community.

At Gatekeepers, we want our clients to thrive and not just live to survive.

Thank you, United Way of Washington County, Maryland, for investing in our mission and helping us continue to provide opportunities that empower individuals to move forward and thrive.

06/30/2026

Join us for Gatekeepers Annual 4th of July Cookout as we celebrate 250 years of the United States of America.

Come enjoy great food, fun, and fellowship with the Gatekeepers family. Whether you’re a participant, volunteer, community partner, or friend, we’d love to celebrate with you.

Date: Saturday, July 4
Location: Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall
Time: 10:00 am, usual meeting will begin and end early for the cookout.

Bring your family, friends, your appetite, and your patriotic spirit! We can’t wait to spend the holiday together.

06/17/2026

🍓🍓🍓ATTENTION: WOMENS GROUP PICNIC WILL HAPPEN RAIN OR SHINE TOMORROW 6/18

Our weekly women’s group is taking things outdoors to Hagerstown City Park. If you have been considering joining our cohort of women, tomorrow is the perfect day to join in fellowship. Sandwiches, fruit and cake will be provided🍓🍓🍓

06/15/2026

Congratulations Vicki Cressell, Donell Bellamy and Carl Brown for securing employment! Getting a job is often one of the biggest milestones in the reentry journey, and we are so proud of the hard work, determination, and persistence each of them showed to get here.

We also want to thank our employment partners who continue to give individuals a fair chance. These opportunities truly change lives.

If you or someone you know is looking for work, Gatekeepers offers employment assistance Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Whether you need help with a resume, applications, interview prep, or connecting with employers, we’re here to help.

05/29/2026

We are incredibly honored to announce that Gatekeepers has been awarded the Women’s Giving Circle Grant through the Community Foundation of Washington County Maryland Incorporated.

Gatekeepers recognizes that females face unique challenges both inside the system and during reentry. This funding will allow us to continue expanding our women’s and female juvenile programming, ensuring that more women and young girls impacted by the justice system have access to The Business of Living program.

We are deeply grateful to the Women’s Giving Circle and The Community Foundation of Washington County for believing in our mission and investing in the future of the women and girls we serve.

05/26/2026

At Gatekeepers, our inmate mail program continues to grow every single day. Since expanding nationwide through the tablet systems inside correctional facilities, we are now receiving letters from incarcerated individuals all across the United States.

Our team works to pull resources specific to the area they are returning to and sends them a personalized reentry packet filled with support services to help them successfully transition home.

This work is changing lives, but we can’t do it alone. We are always looking for volunteers to help us respond to mail, gather resources, organize packets, and support our growing nationwide outreach efforts.

05/20/2026

Gatekeepers went on a field trip!

Our clients, staff, and families had the opportunity to come together outside of programming to enjoy community, connection, and a well-deserved day of fun. Experiences like these remind us that reentry is also about rebuilding relationships, creating positive memories, and feeling connected to the community.

We are grateful to everyone who helped make this field trip possible and thankful for opportunities that allow the individuals we serve to experience fellowship, encouragement, and new beginnings.

Address

223 N Prospect Street 4th Floor
Hagerstown, MD
21740

Telephone

+18145744354

Website

https://www.gatekeepersmd.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Gatekeepers posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Gatekeepers:

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Hagerstown?