ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today announced a historic $12 million investment in more than 60 community non-profits in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget. The funding expands support to 19 additional non-profits with a focus on assisting smaller organization that have been hardest hit by the pandemic and provide services to the most vulnerable populations. Photos of the event can be found here.
The pandemic has put tremendous strain on all of us. Our organizations were called upon to do more and help more. As we put together our current budget, we knew we needed to invest even more in the services our non-profits provide – and to make sure that those on the edge have the help they need. I made a commitment to make sure that the grant funding going to our non-profit organizations reached a higher level than ever before – and we achieved that goal, together.
County Executive Ball also included nearly $1.5 million towards the Plan to End Homelessness - the largest increase in 5 years. This additional support will allow expansion of street outreach and sheltering operations for Howard County’s unhoused population. Additionally, funding for the Human Services Transportation program grew by $50,000, improving access for adults with disabilities to health care, employment, and social services.
“These CSP grants not only provide vital support for our local nonprofit partners, to help meet the basic needs of our residents “, said Jackie Scott, Director of the Department of Community Resources and Services. “They also create opportunities for these individuals and families to have an improved quality of life and to thrive and live with dignity.”
“Nonprofits are businesses, and we are seeing the same increases in costs and the same competition for qualified employees,” said Joan Driessen, Executive Director of the Association of Community Services. “Our County must continue to invest in our nonprofits to keep them strong and responsive. My sincere thanks to all of you here today who are committed to ensuring the well-being of everyone in this amazing community.”
“Through the use of the CSP funds and CAC’s no wrong door approach, CAC has had a TOTAL of 50,685 points of service with citizens in need between July 2021 and the end of May 2022,” said Tracy Broccolino, President of the Community Action Council. “The Community Services Partnership makes it possible for CAC to serve as many of our Howard County neighbors as possible – and for that, we are grateful.”
“During the past fiscal year Grassroots served 499 people in its shelter programs and 837 individuals at the Grassroots Day Resource Center. Our counselors answered 58,429 calls on the Hotline, and provided 2,324 face-to-face counseling sessions. The Mobile Crisis Team provided 1,023 community responses, and 502 clients were enrolled in the Substance Use Crisis Stabilization Program,” said Dr. Mariana Izraelson, Executive Director of Grassroots. “Without the support of a compassionate County Executive and his team of caring professionals, Grassroots would not have been able to provide these essential crisis intervention services.”
“Without CSP and the support from Dr. Ball and his staff, Luminus and nonprofits like it would be a mix of instruments before a concert - out of sync and out of tune - but thanks to CSP support we can support Howard County residents To the tune of an orchestra. Thank you Dr. Ball and Howard County,” said Luminus Executive Director/CEO Mike Mitchell.
“Bridges is grateful for the county support we receive that allows us to help households experiencing homelessness find and keep stable housing,” said Jen Broderick, Executive Director of Bridges to Housing Stability. “We work with other community organizations to make sure homelessness in Howard County is rare, brief and nonrecurring.”
“We’re so grateful for the funding and support from CSP to help us provide services, without these funds we would not be able to provide these services to the more than 4,000 people we served last year,” said Interim Executive Director of Hopeworks Elisabeth Olds.
“The County's CSP grant is a critical funding source for The Arc of Howard County as it enables us to provide diverse transportation needs to over 200 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said The Arc of Howard County Executive Director Cindy Parr. “We are extremely appreciative to Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and the County Council for their support of our agency and the people we serve throughout the Howard County community.”
“The Autism Society is grateful for the ongoing support of the Howard County government throughout the pandemic,” said Melissa Rosenberg, Executive Director of Howard County Autism Society. “Over the last two years, we nearly doubled the number of individuals we assisted and, already this year, have seen a 40% increase in the number of requests for support. Clearly the need continues, and County leadership is a critical partner in ensuring that we can appropriately serve Autistic residents of all ages and their families.”
“Howard County strategically invests in a diverse group of nonprofits that provide essential services to its residents through its CSP Grant Program,” said Sue Ann Shafley, Executive Director, Camp Attaway. “In doing so, innovative nonprofits receive funding, which allows them to provide critical services that ensure that the needs of Howard County residents are being met where they are. Without this CSP funding, Camp Attaway would not be able to provide its therapeutic summer camp and mental health services that Howard County parents who have a child with complex special needs rely on.”
“NAMIHC provides education, advocacy, and support to individuals and families affected by mental illness. Our programs are all offered free of charge,” said Mary Nalepa, NAMI-Howard County Board Member. “Without this critical grant, we would not be able to offer the array of mental health programming that we do -- or we'd have to charge for it. NAMIHC is so grateful for the County's support.”
"The operational funding from the Community Service Partnership Grants Program is instrumental to the day-to-day operation of Neighbor Ride and so many of our great non-profits in the community serving our residents every day,” said Neighbor Ride Executive Director Bruce Fulton.
“This grant will go a long way in empowering the Asian Indian community and integrating them into the wider society we live in,” said Pravin Ponnuri, Founder, Indian Origin Network. “This grant is an acknowledgement of the contributions of the Asian Indian community by the county, and acceptance of the culture and values they bring to the county.”
"The Community Service Partnership grants are critical to Rebuilding Together Howard County,” said Rebuilding Together Howard County Executive Director Ann Heavner. “The newest grants will allow the organization to expand our Home Modifications Program and to fund staffing levels. Without these grants, Rebuilding Together would not be able to grow our program and meet the needs of low-income Howard County homeowners in need. Special thanks to Dr. Calvin Ball, the Howard County Council and Jackie Scott and her team at the Department of Community Resources and Services. Thank you for this funding!"
“This grant will greatly impact our big upcoming Maryland Korean festival that’s held on September 23th and 24th. During the Maryland Korean festival, our goal is to spread the values and beauty of Korean cultures to our community,” said Korean Society of Maryland President Helen Won. “We are getting prepared and excited for the event and hope that everyone from all different backgrounds come and enjoy Korean food, music, and get to learn about Korean culture. Thank you to our Howard County Executive for granting KSM funding to help our organization as it strives its best to be a positive impact on society.”
“Chinese American Parent Association (CAPA) has received support for our Achieve Success Together program and this year we will also be doing a liaison program for our Chinese seniors,” said Jodie Wang, Past President of CAPA. “During this pandemic, it has been challenging, but we are here for Howard County. Serving our community is very important to us and we want to thank County Executive Ball for the support to do this great work.”
“Springboard Community Services is delighted to continue working in partnership with the Howard County Government to provide life-changing behavioral health, case management and housing services to the community’s most vulnerable,” said Springboard Community Services CEO F.T. Burden. “Our reach and impact have increased under the leadership of County Executive Ball and his results driven team.”
"The Howard County Veterans Foundation, Inc. is humbled by the continued support from the County Executive, the County Council and the Department of Community Resources and Services,” said Robert Gillette, President of the Howard County Veterans Foundation. “We look forward to working with each of them and all our community partners as we continue our efforts to bring the Howard County Veterans and Military Families Monument to reality."
"Since that first case, Howard County has been committed to the fight against human trafficking and helping survivors reclaim their lives,” said Amanda Rodriquez, Executive Director of Turnaround. "We are privileged to be a dedicated partner in Howard County's fight against human trafficking and are grateful for the opportunity to advocate for and empower survivors."
“Since 2020, the support from the County Executive’s Office has enabled VolunTeens' student members to help the community through dozens of activities and develop their leadership and skills,” said Jason Zhao of VolunTeens.