Springboard Brand Book

Together, we are setting hope in motion.

We have a legacy of making positive changes.

Across centuries, Family and Children’s Services has woven common threads of hope and transformation into the communities we serve.

Our commitment to transforming lives started long ago.

In 1849, we made a promise. To bring positive momentum

This is our time to shine and to light the way forward.

As we take a fresh look at what our brand means to those around us, we bring vibrant leadership, renewed energy, and increased clarity. FCS has always initiated true progress in the world, and now we’re applying that transformative power to ourselves. With a new name, new identity, and new awareness, Springboard Community Services is now poised to carry our impact forward in even more powerful directions. This is a critical time to drive awareness of the full and far-reaching continuum of our services. As we strengthen our brand, we extend the opportunities we have to advocate for positive change in the world around us.

to families, individuals, and those in need—even in the most difficult of times. We build bridges to hope for individuals and families in response to instances of trauma, psychological distress, financial strain, and every hardship in between. But confusion surrounding our name and identity has historically kept some of our efforts in the shadows.

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Every interaction matters.

The way we communicate counts. Whenever we face a challenge, we listen until we truly understand. When we encounter a new situation, we support our clients with trauma-informed care so we can address their individual needs and lead them on a path toward progress and happiness. We know that the services we provide are every bit as important as the conversations we have. Everything leaves an impression. As Springboard Community Services, we are driven by the power of hope, the spirit of collaboration, and our backbone of agility and expertise.

These characteristics are what we rely upon to support the communities we serve.

Everything we do reflects our commitment to celebrating our core strengths.

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HOPE COLLABORATION AGILITY EXPERTISE

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Springboard Community Services is our direction forward.

Our move away from “Family and Children’s Services” Because our previous name highlighted “family” and “children”— it often led to incorrect impressions and a limited understanding

“Springboard” The movement of a springboard mirrors the way our organization is in constant action. There is no stronger metaphor for the way we help people bounce back from adversity. We exist to create momentum and progress where it is so urgently needed. Small steps and big leaps forward. People healing. Breaking cycles. Owning our stories and choosing a new direction. We are constantly setting hope in motion.

of our full range of services. In the past, some have confused us for Child Protective Services or the Department of Social Services, yet in no way are we linked to government or to law enforcement. Beyond that, our former name spotlighted families and children, so it did not create an approachable feeling for the many individuals we serve. With great intention, we have built our new name on a foundation of all-encompassing positivity that is a true reflection of the meaningful work we do.

“Community Services” This part of our name is intentionally broad because the spectrum of services that we offer is vast and far-reaching. A general descriptor allows us room to grow and to expand our services far into the future.

By preserving “services” inside our core nomenclature, we build in a distinct nod to our ongoing legacy. We also shift our focus from “family” and “children” to a larger, more inclusive group that encompasses a greater variety of constituents inside a larger geographic reach.

By reframing our name, we find newfound freedom to grow.

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NEW LOGO

Our new identity provides the freedom we need to extend our impact.

As we expand our efforts in new directions,

OUR ICON Our brand icon emphasizes the essential way we connect people to people in two distinct ways. In the first sense, through the visual lens of a spring, we show interconnected people joined seamlessly together within our looping spring that builds momentum as it expands outward. This signifies how intertwined we are with our clients and with one another. In another sense, we demonstrate personal growth by increasing the scale of a person from left to right. Viewed as one person moving through a journey, we show how the power we build and the hope we set in motion can expand an individual’s opportunities and take their life to new heights.

we want people to know how hard we work to spark positive momentum in the communities around us. When our partners and clients connect with us, they gain access to an entire array of people-powered support services.

When we work with you, we’re in it together.

When you succeed, we succeed. Our new brand creates powerful ways for us to communicate the full breadth and depth of who we are in clear, consistent ways across all geographies.

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LEGACY LOGO

OUR WORDMARK The hierarchy of our brand typography puts clear emphasis on “Springboard” as the energetic focal point of our brand name and supports it with “Community Services” as our descriptor and visual foundation. Set in title case, our “Springboard” font conveys solid, geometric letterforms but adds an extra coil and jumping-off element by showcasing a springlike, looping lowercase g. For “Community Services,” we maintain an all caps approach to showcase credibility, authority, and strength.

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We are able to provide a uniquely transformative experience for our clients. These are the reasons why.

SPAN & OUTREACH

Our wide spectrum of care addresses the whole person.

From counseling and social services to basic human needs, we provide a breadth of services from six locations and counting.

We focus our efforts on meeting our clients where they are and working together to find a positive path.

INCLUSIVITY & EXPERTISE

Our support knows no boundaries.

With open minds and full hearts, we provide assistance for people of all ages, income levels, and backgrounds. Inclusivity isn’t just our commitment—it’s our daily experience. We are focused on translating our expertise to all circumstances in order to create hope and successful collaborations.

AGILITY & INNOVATION

Our agility has kept us relevant for centuries.

For over 170 years, we have put our flexibility and responsiveness to work in order to continue serving the true and changing needs of our community. We pride ourselves on our ability to effectively collaborate with our partners to problem-solve and arrive at novel solutions that deliver new pathways and solutions in innovative, comprehensive ways.

ACCESSIBILITY & PROGRESS

We transform lives every day.

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HOPE & HEALING

What motivates us is seeing the changes we inspire inside our communities.

We are able to see the difference we make in the lives of the people whom we help every single day. To offer support during the hardest times of life, you must begin with hope. It’s more than just a safe environment that makes a difference—it’s the passion for healing that we have in our hearts.

We make our services accessible to all in order to serve all people.

In time, we steadily aim to help families and individuals move from crisis and despair to a state of self-sufficiency and stability.

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OUR VISION INSPIRES US.

Our aim is to make mental health services accessible to all.

Why do we need a vision?

Our vision guides our goals for the long term. It is our North Star. It shows what we are working toward when we think about the big picture. It shapes the future of our organization.

OUR MISSION FOCUSES US.

We transform the lives of children and adults by providing opportunities to build self-confidence, resilience, and hope.

Why does our mission matter?

Our mission keeps us focused on what, who, and how we can make constant progress toward the future of our brand. We use our mission to make daily decisions that support our future vision.

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OUR CORE OPERATING VALUES SUPPORT OUR CORE SERVICES.

Everything we do starts with our values. These are the beliefs that we share and that strengthen our team. Our values shape our thoughts and actions every day.

Prevention

Intervention

Counseling

Advocacy

OUR CORE OPERATING VALUES KEEP US ALIGNED.

• We approach every person with respect and dignity.

• We do not tolerate violence and abuse.

• We foster a sense of hope and purpose.

• We rely on the power of partnership.

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Our many layers of service combine to set hope in motion for Maryland children, adults, and families.

As Springboard Community Services, we function as a vital source of collaborative strength, safety, and hope.

We are a non-profit that provides case management, counseling, and trauma-informed care to a range of clients in Baltimore and surrounding areas. We work with families and individuals at their pace to help move them from crisis and despair to a state of self-sufficiency and stability. We lead with hope and healing, and we set our hearts and minds to delivering exceptional services. What brings us together is our distinct combination of personal commitment, infinite resourcefulness, and the expertise we have in creating life-changing opportunities where they didn’t exist before. Together, we set hope in motion.

For more information, contact us: 4623 Falls Road Baltimore, MD 21209 fcsmd.org | 410.669.9000