Extreme Family Outreach: Harford County nonprofit says it reaches more than 400 children a week with neighborhood-based programs

Harford County — Marlon Gambrell, executive director of Extreme Family Outreach, and Steve Gambrell, the organization’s president and co-founder, told Harford Magazine that the group brings faith-based after‑school programs and year‑round supports directly into neighborhoods where children live, aiming to remove transportation and access barriers.

"We're a faith based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and we go directly in the neighborhoods right where kids live and do programs after school," Steve Gambrell said, describing the group's strategy of meeting children at bus stops and public spaces rather than requiring families to travel to a central site.

The organization, which the guests said has operated for roughly 22 years, runs two nine‑week after‑school semesters in the spring and fall across nine Harford County communities. "Throughout the year, we do our after school program, which is a 9 week semester in the spring and in the fall, and we go out consistently for 9 weeks," said Debbie Wilhelm, director of operations.

Marlon Gambrell said the programs include a "Backpacks for Success" initiative that supplies school materials, summer camps, and a "Holiday of Hope" program that delivers Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas gifts to participating families. The host announced that the organization "sees over 400 kids per week" during programming.

To gather and hold children's attention before teaching, Steve Gambrell described using hands‑on demonstrations: "When you do something with your hands while you're speaking, it holds their attention so much longer," he said, explaining how simple magic tricks, balloons and puppets help staff assemble groups for short lessons on safety, bullying prevention and life skills.

The group also runs a youth leadership program that trains older participants as peer mentors; staff reported about 50 young people currently in the leadership program who help teach and mentor younger children. Wilhelm said there are no prerequisites to attend: "They just come as they are. We love everyone."

Local businesses are a major support source. Chris Randlett, owner of Quick Kitchens, Bathrooms and More, said his company helps sponsor the organization's annual gala and golf outing and rallied employees and contacts to raise about $7,000 this year. He said the organization typically helps feed 150–200 families at Thanksgiving and this year prepared roughly 175 turkeys, as discussed on the program.

"We've raised ... over $7,000 this year," Randlett said. "We normally feed a 150 to 200 families." Peter Anastasi, owner of Pat's Pizzeria in Edgewood, described hosting seasonal events—breakfast with Santa, face painting and volunteer opportunities—that give children hands‑on experience and sometimes lead to work placements or volunteer roles at local businesses.

Former participants who are now staff credited the program with changing their lives. "It has been the most joy to be able to give back into a program that has helped me become the woman I am today," said Alyssa Perry, who said Extreme Family Outreach helped her earn a GED, attend college and gain employment with the organization.

The organization traces its outreach model to a street‑level boot camp the founders attended in New York and adapts that approach locally; staff described their local brand as the "Scooby Doo" program. For more information, staff directed listeners to extremefamilyoutreach.com for ways to volunteer, donate or contact the office.

The report was recorded for Harford Magazine and closed with the host noting upcoming segments featuring program alumni and additional discussion of community partners.