12/29/2025
Important Message!
Side by Side, Inc., our 17-year-old Laurel-based nonprofit organization that provided elementary-school parents with ways they could help their children get a strong start in school, is sad to announce that it is shutting down the organization.
Our work inside local schools came largely to a halt when the covid pandemic hit in 2020 and, despite intense efforts after that, we did no regain enough traction to continue.
We do take much comfort in the knowledge that we, through your support, were able to equip thousands of parents with ways that they could help their elementary school children build strong foundations in reading, writing, math and behavior. Parent testimonies at our annual fundraising breakfasts provided evidence that our work together changed lives.
We also are encouraged that Side by Side could embody the compassion and concern of churches in reaching out to help local parents and children.
We take further comfort in the fact that Prince George’s County Public Schools has recognized the value of equipping parents to help their children by placing parent engagement assistants at many schools. Their primary focus is to better inform and involve parents and to enrich the school experience for the families in their communities, a purpose largely like ours at Side by Side has been.
The Board thanks its grantors, especially Prince George’s County and the County Council, hundreds of individual donors, and hundreds of volunteers for supporting Side by Side in its vital educational mission for a decade and a half.
We can not thank you enough for making this mission and ministry possible.
With gratitude,
Side by Side, Inc.
