About The Blue Ribbon Project

The Blue Ribbon Project was founded in 2013 by Taylor Pyles. Taylor is an adult survivor of physical abuse. At a young age, Taylor was removed from his home by the Department of Social Services and placed into Foster Care, where he eventually "aged out" of the Foster Care system. Later in life, Taylor joined the Annapolis Police Department and became a Detective in the Violent Crimes Section of the Criminal Investigations Division. Here, Taylor investigated homicides, shootings, robberies, sexual assaults, and other violent crimes. Taylor also had a passion for working with children who were the victims of abuse, neglect, and child sex offenses. 

As an adult, Taylor observed very poor outcomes of those he had grown up within the Foster Care system. In a short period of time, several passed away from fatal drug overdoses and suicide. Because of this, Taylor designed The Blue Ribbon Project as a resource for adult survivors and built a website that contained resource articles on mental health, drug addiction, and suicide prevention. This was the foundation of The Blue Ribbon Project

In 2014, Taylor decided he wanted to do more to serve the community, especially victims of child abuse and neglect and those entering Foster Care. Taylor reflected on his own childhood and when he entered Foster Care. On that day, Taylor was in elementary school having lunch with his friends. A school administrator appeared and requested Taylor come to the office where he found a Social Worker and a Police Officer wanting to speak with him. What Taylor did not know at the time was that someone observed that something was terribly wrong in the home and made a report. Even though many questions were asked, Taylor refused to answer as he was afraid of both getting a family member in trouble and being removed from his home.

Taylor thought back to the day he entered care. He did not have the opportunity to go home and get clothing or other items important to him. What he wore  to school that day were his only possessions as he entered Foster Care. This was something Taylor wanted to change for victims of abuse and neglect that were entering the Foster Care program. These painful memories planted the seeds for what would become the first major Blue Ribbon Project program for youth, Backpacks of Love. A meeting was held with Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services and the details were discussed.

In January of 2015, Taylor received word that Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services had approved things on their end and the program was officially launched. On the day of the official launch, two young brothers in Anne Arundel County were about to enter Foster Care. These boys were the very first recipients of Backpacks of Love.

Also early in 2015, word about The Blue Ribbon Project began to spread and people within the Anne Arundel County community wanted to get involved and to donate items for the program. This is when The Blue Ribbon Project became an official 501(c)(3) and Taylor established three cornderstone criteria in the formation of the organizaton that would remain until today. First, Taylor wanted to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect occurring in our communities. Not just from his personal experience as a child, but as a police Detective, Taylor saw these cases almost daily. This same scenario is repeated throughout the United States. Taylor found it very important that the general public, no matter their profession, were aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and knew what to do when abuse or neglect is suspected. Thousands of reports are made to Maryland Department of Human Services or through local county agencies; however, many cases of child abuse, neglect, and child sex offenses go unreported for a variety of reasons. These include a child being fearful of disclosing, people not recognizing the signs and symptoms, or adults being fearful of making a report. To help correct these problems, The Blue Ribbon Project works to raise awareness about child abuse, neglect, and child sex offenses occurring in our community.

The second cornerstone established was volunteerism. The Blue Ribbon Project offers various ways that people of all ages and backgrounds can become involved in serving the community. The Blue Ribbon Project's Leadership Team is a core group of volunteers that work tirelessly and passionately to support the mission of The Blue Ribbon Project. Leadership Team members work with each of our programs, at events within the community, and with public volunteers who wish to become involved.

The third cornerstone in The Blue Ribbon Project is flexibility. There are many needs within the child welfare system. The Blue Ribbon Project works to identify the particular needs of child victims and to fill in service gaps. Each program offered by The Blue Ribbon Project was specifically designed based on those needs. Each of our programs is flexible in nature and can be adjusted as needs change.

Over the last few years, The Blue Ribbon Project has added additional programs to support and provide resources for children and youth in Foster Care. Mirah's Closet is a foster closet that affords children and youth in foster care (and those that represent them) with a shopping experience to get needed items. Mirah's Closet is set up very much like a small store or boutique, however, all items and clothing are free for those in care. All clothing and items are brand new and this gives the child or youth to pick out items they need and in styles they want. 

The Blue Ribbon Project also launched it's Foster Friends and Celebrations Club that both work hand in hand together. These programs provide various events throughout the year, such as movie nights, bowling nights, holiday parties and many other fun events. These programs also serve individual children in youth with celebrating their own milestones and accomplishments. This could be from birthday parties to high school graduation celebrations. These programs also helps to support children and youth in care with extra-curricular needs..such as sports equipment, musical instruments, paying for fees for sports or other programs. 

Going back to it's very foundation, The Blue Ribbon Project also hosts support groups for Adult Survivors of Childhood Trauma. These include virtual and in-person support group meetings. 

There are many ways to get involved with The Blue Ribbon Project...from volunteering to spreading the word. The Blue Ribbon Project relies heavily on public and community support and our mission could not be accomplished without your support.