What They Are Saying: Governor Moore Announces Inaugural ENOUGH Grant Awardees

ANNAPOLIS, MD - Governor Wes Moore yesterday announced the inaugural grant awardees of the Engaging Neighborhoods, Organizations, Unions, Governments, and Households (ENOUGH) initiative, a first-of-its-kind, community-based strategy to address concentrated child poverty in Maryland. The $13.1 million in grants will fund 27 entities across all 12 statutorily eligible counties as part of the historic $20 million in total investment to support communities most in need as they work in partnership to develop solutions to deeply rooted challenges.

Bridging a diverse set of organizations, awardees include partnerships made up of community-based organizations, local government actors, community schools, and other local entities. Grantees span western to eastern Maryland, representing rural, urban, and suburban communities. Recipients will work with a coalition of partners across the public and private sectors.

Here’s what the inaugural grant awardees are saying about partnering with the state through the ENOUGH initiative: 

“Receiving this grant award from the ENOUGH Act Initiative will greatly assist us with our current work in moving our most vulnerable community one step closer to ending childhood poverty,” said Caroline Human Services Council. Inc. Local Management Board for Caroline County Executive Director Susan Runnels. “Thank you Governor Wes Moore for your vision of ending childhood poverty in Maryland.

“Child First is deeply grateful to the Moore Administration for its leadership in championing innovative solutions that prioritize children and families,” said Child First Authority Executive Director Ojeda Hall. “The ENOUGH grant is a game-changing investment that will empower us to strengthen collaborative efforts in Central West Baltimore, addressing the economic and social pressures facing our communities, because Baltimore and Maryland succeed when every child has the resources to overcome challenges and the opportunities to thrive.”

“Each of the partners on our team brings a deep knowledge of Central Gaithersburg and Montgomery Village, as well as lived experience and a passionate dedication to ensuring all community members prosper,” said Identity Executive Director Diego Uriburu. “Our partnership is founded upon the shared values that to serve others is a privilege and requires excellence and community members are equal partners in the design and delivery of our work to reduce child poverty and increase economic mobility. We are very grateful to Governor Moore for this unique opportunity to work together to advance the prosperity of one of the most culturally, ethnically and racially diverse areas of the United States.”

"When our team first read the Enough Grant, I was overcome with emotion—it was as if my leadership vision had come to life right there on the page. The grant's alignment with the ‘collaboration over competition’ approach we champion in Park Heights made it clear that we are ready for this transformative moment. I want to deeply thank Governor Moore for his remarkable leadership and for recognizing that community residents, with their lived experiences, hold the key to building vibrant, thriving neighborhoods,” said Park Heights Renaissance Chief Executive Officer Yolanda Jiggetts. “As CEO of the quarterback organization, Park Heights Renaissance, I am honored to work in collaboration with community partners in this effort to end childhood poverty and redefine the economic future of neighborhoods like this. This grant is more than funding; it’s a powerful step toward equity and empowerment for communities long overlooked. Together, we are proving that real change happens when those at the table reflect the heart of the community itself. Together we are reaching Bold New Heights"

“CAN is proud to be selected to partner with the Essex community in southeast Baltimore County and looks forward to continuing its 60 year mission of working in partnership with the community to develop, operate, and support programs that reduce vulnerability and promote personal growth, stability, and self-sufficiency among low-income residents,” said Community Assistance Network, Inc. Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer William Wells. “The ENOUGH Act directly targets a generational aspect to poverty and family stability that is rarely discussed. Changing the course of poverty by addressing the gaps in supports for children and families will allow communities that are experiencing disproportionate levels of poverty to have a voice and leading role in how their communities become healthier and more equitable. CAN looks forward to continuing its work, engaging with the Essex community and leading the development, coordination, and technical assistance for the ENOUGH project.”

“Urban Strategies, Inc. (USI) is excited Governor Moore’s office has selected us to become a part of the ENOUGH Initiative. The opportunity to create and strengthen intentional partnerships that address the underlying needs of families and children living in poverty speaks to the commitment of this administration,” said Urban Strategies, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Esther Shin. “USI is grateful to the administration for the opportunity to provide a positive impact on community outcomes and works in service towards our mission, ‘All Children and Families are Stable and Thriving’.”

"The Y in Central Maryland is excited to be a recipient of the Governor's Office of Children's ENOUGH grant, particularly given that it supports what is central to our mission and work— building healthy, connected and inclusive communities,” said The Y in Central Maryland President and Chief Executive Officer John K. Hoey. “It's in the Y's DNA to actively partner with a myriad of people and organizations across the communities we serve, and we're looking forward to the collective impact we can make in the Greater Waverly community with the support of this grant." 

“We extend our gratitude to Governor Moore and his administration as we proudly join the first cohort of ENOUGH grant recipients. These resources will enable us to take a proactive approach in addressing the needs of Brooklyn and Curtis Bay,” said South Baltimore Community Land Trust Executive Director Dr. Meleny Thomas. “Together with our partners, we will collaborate with the community to create comprehensive plans that confront systemic injustices and dismantle barriers to success and liberation.”

"Prince George's County Department of Social Services looks forward to working with our partners in Hillcrest Heights to build community, capacity, and collaboration as we work to mitigate poverty and risk factors for the community,” said Prince George's County Department of Social Services Office of Strategic Partnerships and Community Solutions Senior Manager Robert Murphy. 

"Through the efforts of community-based grassroots organizations, this little neighborhood in East Baltimore called McElderry Park is on the rise,” said McElderry Park Collaborative Member Elijah Miles. “We are honored to receive the ENOUGH grant as we continue to grow our collaborative and strengthen our impact on youth, families and generations to come.” 

“This award affirms the work of the partnership and our neighborhood leaders as we build a community of hope for Brooklyn Park in which every child and their family have the opportunity for success,” said Anne Arundel County partnership for Children, Youth and Families Executive Director Pamela Brown. “We thank Governor Moore for highlighting the importance of the power of place as we address child poverty, and for his bold action plan to address geographical and racial inequities in communities across Maryland through the Enough Act. We are proud to stand with Governor Moore, unequivocally, in this important work.”

“On behalf of the communities of Sandtown-Winchester and Harlem Park, Elev8 Baltimore is proud to stand with Governor Moore as part of the first cohort of the historic ENOUGH grant program,” said Elev8 Baltimore, Inc. Executive Director Alexandria Warrick Adams. “Communities that have been long oppressed by systematic racism and redlining have been overlooked, but through this investment, together we look to a future where our children’s future is not determined by the zip code they live in.”

"Thanks to the valiant and transformative leadership of Governor Moore and his administration, the ENOUGH Grant Program will dramatically change the trajectory of our children's future in Maryland for generations to come. This funding will not only expand our place-based efforts in the South End of Hagerstown and cultivate opportunities for all children to thrive, but will empower communities to lead the charge,” said Bester Community of Hope, a San Mar Family and Community Services Initiative Director Jen Younker. “As the community quarterback, we are eager to collaborate with local residents and community partners to solidify accessible pathways to economic mobility making dreams possible, no matter where you live.”

“The Central Baltimore Partnership is honored to join the inaugural cohort of the ENOUGH initiative which will significantly enhance our work to craft a strong web of partners who, together, can eliminate child and family poverty in Central Baltimore,” said Central Baltimore Partnership Executive Director Ellen Janes. “We and our communities send our gratitude and our congratulations to Governor Moore and the team who have created this ambitious and important new resource.”

“On behalf of Moving Dorchester Forward, the Local Management Board for Dorchester County and our Community of Hope Partners, we would like to extend our sincerest thanks to the Moore Administration for awarding our collaboration and partnership with funds through the ENOUGH Initiative,” said L'Arche an International Federation of Communities Founder Jean Vanier. “ ENOUGH funding will allow us to become more community (place-based) specific in our work.  In order for our community to reverse the cycle of poverty, we must be engaged as a community and committed to developing and implementing sustainable change.  "THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY LIES IN OUR SHARED PURPOSE"

Community Health and Empowerment Through Education and Research (CHEER) and our team of partners are excited and honored to be a recipient of the ENOUGH Grant, bringing together a diverse set of stakeholders to realize our shared vision of a safe and thriving community in the Long Branch area of Montgomery County,” said CHEER Executive Director Kent Sovine. “This funding and technical assistance will aid CHEER in strengthening and creating new partnerships, updating our community assets and needs assessments, and continuing CHEER’s community-building work with youth and families.  The ENOUGH grant will support the use of strategies identified from our previous work, including interactive planning and training sessions with youth and members of the community leading to more meaningful participation, greater outreach to local schools, and increased engagement with community members and potential partners. CHEER would like to thank Governor Wes Moore and the Governor’s Office for Children for the opportunity to take our work to the next level for the benefit of the community we serve.”