Action Blog

COMMUNITY ACTION UNDER THREAT: MCAP HOSTS VIRTUAL TOWN HALL ON MARCH 27TH TO PROTECT CRITICAL SERVICES FOR HARDWORKING FAMILIES In response to recent federal budgetary cuts jeopardizing funding for essential Community Action Programs (CAPs), MCAP is hosting a Statewide Town Hall for Community Action. The event will spotlight the immediate threats facing Community Action Agencies (CAAs) and the critical services they provide, such as housing [...]

Here’s how nonprofits can use that extra time to prepare Right now, there’s a great deal of financial uncertainty for nonprofits that hold federal grants and contracts. What’s your plan for resilience?  Our latest article explores how nonprofits can prepare for disruptions, manage financial risk and help ensure operational continuity. From securing reserves to strengthening vendor relationships, this resilience checklist provides actionable steps to help your organization [...]

MCAP Communications Release Is The ENOUGH Act Enough? The ENOUGH Act marks a significant leap forward in Maryland's fight against poverty, addressing systemic issues such as education, employment, and essential services. The legislation aims not only to alleviate the symptoms of generational poverty but to forge a path of opportunity and promise for children, families, and entire communities. It echoes the spirit of historical anti-poverty [...]

Energy and Weatherization Partnerships To Serve The Most Vulnerable Communities August is the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Action Month.  And October is Energy Awareness and Weatherization Month.  MCAP is partnering with the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC), Chaberton Energy and Maryland Office of the People’s Counsel to provide free resources to our Community Action Network.  We work together to identify opportunities to support our programs [...]

Emerging HR Tech Trends You Need to Know for 2025 and Beyond Welcome to the exciting world of Human Capital Management (HCM) technology, where innovation and evolution are transforming how we work and manage talent! As we look toward 2025 and beyond, the HCM landscape is set to undergo significant changes. HCM Industry Growth and Challenges Market Size and Growth The HCM market is booming! Valued at $37.66 billion [...]

The Difference Between Wellness and Well-Being While wellness and well-being are often used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings and refer to different aspects of an individual’s health and quality of life. Wellness and well-being both have the end goal of being as healthy as possible, but they take different approaches to get there. What are the key differences between wellness and well-being, and how can you promote both in [...]

Montgomery County Community Action Agency, Diaper Distribution We have taken steps in assisting her to rebuild her life by registering her child in a new school and making sure she has all of the home essentials, including furniture and clothing.  By staying connected and seeking support at the encouragement of our opportunity coach, she knows she is not alone in this journey and has people she can rely on for [...]

Harford County Community Action Agency, Diaper Distribution We continued building the relationship with the family and after some encouragement and check-ins, we learned that father is now employed and working at a job he enjoys. The family is thriving – baby and parents. Team Member Perspective One of the families I worked closely with at Hall’s Cross Roads Elementary expressed that they were seeking out resources during one of [...]

United Planning Organization, Diaper Distribution Since the diaper program began, two families have been able to return to work due to being able to spend money on transportation instead of diapering materials. The DDDRP will continue to be impactful in our neighborhoods for our families and beyond. UPO Team Member Perspective Distribution day is always an event that I am excited to experience. Usually, this is the time when [...]

CAC, Howard County Partner on $5M Weatherization Project Community Action Council of Howard County has partnered with the Howard County Housing Commission to weatherize the 300-unit Columbia Landing apartment complex.  The CAC’s Weatherization Program is the largest nonprofit program in the state of Maryland, and provides services that result in more energy efficient homes and utility savings for eligible individuals and families throughout the state. Read More at https://bizmonthly. [...]

National Digital Inclusion Week Is October 2-6National Skills Coalition (NSC) in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta released Closing the Digital Skill Divide, a real-time snapshot of demand for digital skills in the US labor market. The analysis finds that 92% of jobs analyzed require digital skills. Previous NSC research found one-third of workers don’t have the foundational digital skills necessary to enter and thrive in today’s jobs. Together, [...]

Homelessness in Delaware has surged massively since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in winter 2020.

Anne Arundel County Community Action Agency Turnaround Thursday prepares returning citizens and underemployed persons who are seeking to reenter the workforce as leaders — prepared and trained to begin gainful, living wage employment in opportunities. "Unlike a typical re-entry program, Turnaround Thursday is a movement that wants to make sure that we returning citizens are all given a fair opportunity to get it right," one classmate said. Inmates learn [...]

A Case-Making Playbook for Leaders Everywhere Building the Public and Political Will for Ending Homelessness and Creating Communities Rich with Abundant Housing We agree!  We as leaders must have a toolbelt full of will-building skills and strategies that invite others to join — and stay — with us on our journey not just to ending homelessness but to ensuring abundant housing for everyone. To build long-term support for the [...]

Economic Mobility For Maryland’s Most Vulnerable Serving the best interest of the poor serves the best interest of all people. The Family Prosperity Act puts this premise into action by offering the permanence of one of the most effective strategies for addressing poverty, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Permanently extending the state’s EITC and expanding the CTC puts money into the pockets of [...]

A family enrolled into the Allegany County HRDC Head Start/Early Head Start Program, they were young parents of a 4-year-old, an infant, and a baby on the way. Together with their Family Advocate, the parents set goals to help their family advance.

Homelessness in Delaware has surged massively since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in winter 2020.

When single mother Latanya Christopher came to SHORE UP’s Early Head Start Program, she was struggling to carve out a life for herself and her three children.