Meet Amy Holbrook

Meet Amy Holbrook - a lifelong Severna Park resident of over 40 years, single mom to a rising high school senior, and the Director of Community Outreach and Marketing at the Severna Park Community Center.

With a passion for working with children, Amy earned her degree in Early Childhood Education while working part-time at a daycare. She went on to lead preschools across Anne Arundel County for 15 years, but after becoming a mom, she realized the long days were time away from what mattered most - her son, Griffon. Seeking a better work-life balance, Amy made a career pivot that brought her to the Severna Park Community Center, just steps away from Griffon’s school, allowing her to be more present both before and after the workday. 

Now, she gets to blend her love for children, creativity, and community by organizing FREE family events like the Halloween Spooktacular and Cookies & Cocoa with Santa. The Severna Park Community Center has become more than a workplace - it’s a place where health, connection, and belonging come together. 

Amy shares that choosing balance is a powerful act of motherhood, that community can change your life, and that letting go of perfection is the first step toward finding joy in everyday moments. 

Tell us a little bit about you and your family! Where did you grow up? How long have you lived in the area? How many kids do you have?

Hi there! I’m Amy Holbrook, and I’ve been lucky enough to call Maryland home for my entire life, spending over 40 wonderful years in Severna Park. I have an amazing son named Griffon, who's 17 and gearing up to graduate from Annapolis Area Christian School in May 2026. Time flies!

You work for the Severna Park Community Center. How did you get to your career today? Tell us how you got started!

I’ve always had a passion for being around kids, so naturally, I went for a degree in Early Childhood Education, dreaming of becoming a kindergarten teacher. While I was studying, I took on a part-time job at a preschool, and that’s when I fell in love with the preschool environment! 

After I graduated, I was excited to become a preschool director and spent time at different centers throughout Anne Arundel County for over 15 years. I truly enjoyed working with the little ones and overseeing the preschool, but I realized that the long days meant I was spending more time at work than with my son. That sparked my search for a job that offered a better work-life balance. I felt lucky to find a fantastic opportunity at the Severna Park Community Center, and I couldn’t be happier!

I can’t believe it’s already been seven years since I joined the Severna Park Community Center! I started out booking events, and now I get to be the Director of Community Outreach and Marketing. At first, I missed being around kids every day, but I quickly realized that the community center was the perfect place to fill that gap. We offer so many awesome aquatics and dance programs for children of all ages, and I still get to enjoy the fun and energy of being around children every day!

One of the best parts about working at the community center is that I was able to take my son to school each morning and spend more quality time with him. Since he went to St. John the Evangelist, it was a blessing to work right across the street from his school!

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career?

The Severna Park Community Center serves as a hub for connection and social interaction and a place for all to improve their health and wellness. Working there allows me to be a part of a community that supports its community and fosters a sense of belonging. Seeing individuals overcome challenges, achieve their goals, find support and guidance, and celebrate life's passages can be incredibly rewarding. 

One of the things I love most about working at the community center is the chance to create and host fun, free events for families throughout the year! Events like our Halloween Spooktacular and Cookies & Cocoa with Santa bring so much joy. Seeing families and their kids come together really warms my heart! There’s nothing quite like the sight of little ones in their adorable Halloween costumes or the pure happiness on their faces when they get to sit on Santa's lap. It truly makes my day!

How has your job shifted your perspective on Motherhood?

Balancing full-time work and being a single mom is challenging but rewarding. Working at the community center has empowered me to manage my job while fully embracing my role as a mother. Over the past seven years, I have joyfully participated in school events, cheered for Griffon at every baseball game, and treasured every moment we share. As the years fly by, I strive to cherish and celebrate each precious moment with him.

What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

I channel my energy from embracing the present and carving a path through chaos! I thrive on the excitement of generating new ideas at the last moment and turning them into success.

What’s something you love that’s just for you?

Drinking iced coffee after dinner and watching any type of crime show that is on TV.

Best mom hack that makes your life easier.

Being a mom is a beautiful challenge. Embracing the support around you—asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. You don't have to do it alone.

Name something you hope your children look back and remember about their childhood and you as their mama.

I hope Griffon remembers the depth of love that surrounded him, not just from me, but from our entire family. I treasure every moment watching him grow through various stages of his life, and I am immensely proud of the remarkable person he is becoming.

Best advice for mom guilt.

Don't strive for perfection. Accept that you can't do it all, and that's okay. Be kind to yourself, especially when you feel overwhelmed, and self-care is NOT selfish. Make time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation. Prioritizing your well-being is essential for being a good mom. 

What have you learned from your son?

Embrace patience and listen intently to your child. Their thoughts and feelings deserve to be heard.

The greatest gift about being a mom.

The joy of witnessing your child's growth, accomplishments, and the laughter they share can be incredibly fulfilling. 

Who has most influenced you to be the mom you are today?

My mom! She has been an extraordinary influence in my life, and she will always be. She is the kind of mom who selflessly dedicates her time and care to her three children, never letting her hardships affect us. Her strength and resilience serve as a powerful role model, and growing up with someone like her has profoundly transformed my life.

The Severna Park Community Center is a swimming center, gymnasium, dance studio, fitness space, a place to celebrate life’s passages, a place to learn, a place to heal, and so much more.

Our vision is to create a healthy, connected community. We strive to achieve this through our mission, which is "to serve as the community gathering place that enhances individual and family well being, guided by Christian values, and open to all." The Board of Directors have developed a strategic plan, establishing a solid direction for the Severna Park Community Center as we move forward. We identified three key areas of focus: community service, visibility & engagement, and organizational excellence.

Within those focus areas, the Board set five goals:

• Connect our community inside and outside the center
• Enhance and expand our ability to deliver quality programming for individuals and families
• Build visibility and awareness to increase engagement
• Diversify and expand revenue for long-term sustainability
• Develop holistic health and wellness initiatives

We love supporting local businesses! What are your favorite places in the Anne Arundel County area to:

Get coffee: BD Provisions, Big Bean & Rise Up

Go out for a girls’ night: Any new restaurant in Severna Park, Annapolis, or Edgewater!

Go out to dinner as a family:  JB’s & Squisito

Get your hair done: I am lucky enough to have my hair done by my sister-in-law, who works at Creations Hair Salon in Pasadena.  

Get your nails done: Bella Luxe, Beaute Nails & Spa

Have fun as a family: Downtown Annapolis 

Want to meet other Moms like Amy? See all the Meet a Mom profiles! Or reach out to be a featured Meet a Mom.