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 initiatives like the historic War on Poverty of 1964.

Opportunity was the hallmark of the War on Poverty, which successfully established the nation’s, federally, designated
poverty-fighting network of Community Action Agencies (CAAs). These Agencies are central to the fight against poverty
in Maryland and serve as frontline warriors in the ongoing battle, championing economic mobility and community change.
“The ENOUGH Act seamlessly aligns with the mission of Community Action Agencies, reflecting Maryland’s commitment
to promoting economic mobility and driving positive community change,” said Angela Martin, Executive Director of
Maryland Community Action Partnership (MCAP). It addresses the full potential of human capital and offers holistic
solutions that tackle the root causes of economic hardship.

This legislation is innovatively crafted to address modern challenges while echoing historic anti-poverty efforts. Mitch
Posner, Executive Director of the Community Assistance Network, a notable Community Action Agency in Baltimore
County, offers an insightful perspective. Posner champions the ENOUGH Act’s place-based, community focused
approach as a pivotal strategy. His experience underscores the significance of this legislation in addressing the economic
challenges of intergenerational families and their communities holistically. Posner states, “The ENOUGH Act, is spot on
as a meaningful and effective approach to helping intergenerational families and their communities deal wholistically with
their economic challenges.”

While the legislation targets child poverty, it will also transform distressed communities. “We are proud to stand in support
of the ENOUGH Act, the rural areas of the state report the highest rates of poverty as a percentage of population. Efforts
to address poverty in these areas will provide economic prosperity to all,” said Rural Maryland Council Executive Director,
Charlotte Davis.

The fight against poverty requires bold and comprehensive action. Claudia Wilson Randall, Executive Director of
Community Development Network of Maryland, echoes this legislation is an effort in the right direction and states,
“Government, nonprofits and philanthropy will have to act differently if we want to break the cycle of intergenerational
poverty and create new opportunities so children, families, and our community can thrive. The ENOUGH ACT is a step in
the right direction toward alignment of resource and strategies.”

Whether the ENOUGH Act will prove to be “enough” remains to be seen, but its introduction marks an important milestone
in Maryland’s ongoing commitment to creating a more equitable and prosperous future for all residents. The legislation
has the potential to transform lives and communities across the state.
Authored by Angela Martin, Executive Director of Maryland Community Action Partnership (MCAP)

The Maryland Community Action Partnership (MCAP) is a statewide non-profit organization comprised of Maryland’s 17
Community Action Agencies, which collectively serve every Maryland county. Together, we work toward eradicating
homelessness and poverty to realize our vision of ensuring that all Maryland individuals and families are stable,
economically secure, and live in safe and thriving communities. For more information, go to www.maryland-cap.org.
MCAP media inquiries should be directed to Amy Mininger at amymininger@maryland-cap.org.