"Helping People Changing Lives"

BGE Resumes Utility Disconnections

The Energy Assistance Crisis Season officially ended on March 31, 2025. As of April 1, 2025, customers facing utility disconnection, already disconnected, or low/out of heating fuel must submit all required supporting documentation for their applications to be processed.  

BGE has resumed issuing disconnection notices following the temporary suspension of late fees and service interruptions on customer accounts during the months of February and March. The Agency can place a 55-day extension on the BGE account if applicable to prevent service interruptions.

Customers may complete an application online through the MDThink portal, visit one of our local offices to apply in person, or contact our office to request that an application be mailed to them.



For more information, please contact Ms. Tasker at jtasker@aaccaa.info.

Early Head Start Update 

Staff members from Community Action’s Early Head Start staff recently participated in an outreach opportunity at Lothian Elementary School’s Early Childhood Education Resource Fair. The focus was to provide resources for families with children from birth to five years of age, including free diapers, medical access, special education, and childcare resources. EHS was able to provide patrons with information about Community Action’s programs, including Housing Assistance and Services, Energy Assistance, Youth Development Services and, of course, Early Head Start.

The Early Head Start staff is planning a Spring Celebration for the infants and toddlers at the center, which will be filled with activities such as a scavenger and egg hunt, a parent-child art project, and a pizza lunch. The staff is also planning a celebration for transitioning three-year-olds in August, which will consist of a graduation ceremony and an End of Summer celebration.



For more information about Early Head Start, please contact Ms. Turner at lturner@aaccaa.info.

Community Action Participates in Mary Moss Career Day

On April 10, 2025, staff from the Community Action Agency’s Annapolis Middle School program, which is funded through a Maryland Community Health Resources Commission grant, were honored guest presenters at the Mary Moss @ J. Albert Adams Academy Resource Fair. This dynamic event served as an inspiring platform to expose students to a wide range of career opportunities and help them explore pathways toward future employment and success.

The Agency’s team shared their unique career journeys, highlighting the training, challenges, and accomplishments that shaped their professional paths, and resources that are available within the Agency. Their participation gave the students a firsthand look into meaningful careers rooted in service and advocacy – particularly in the areas of behavioral health and wraparound support.



For more information about the Agency’s CHRC Annapolis Middle School program, please contact Mr. Johnson at ijohnson@aaccaa.info.

Community Action Hosts Mental Health First Aid Certification Workshop

On April 4, 2025, the Community Action Agency hosted a Mental Health First Aid Certification Workshop at Church of Severn Run. Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based course that teaches how to identify and respond to mental health and substance use challenges. Attendees at the 8-hour workshop included staff members from local agencies and non-profits serving the homeless population in Anne Arundel County including Arundel House of Hope, Department of Social Services, Light House Shelter, and Sarah’s House. All attendees earned a three-year certification as Mental Health First Aiders.

The Community Action Agency wishes to thank Raymond Medley, Keith Fielder, and Alex Bravo from the Anne Arundel County Department of Health for facilitating the workshop. The training session maintained a high level of energy with attendees participating in conversations and break-out sessions. The Agency also extends appreciation to the Church at Severn Run for the use of their facility.



The Agency is hosting another workshop on May 2, 2025, at the Anne Arundel County Career Center, which is currently at capacity. If you are interested in attending a workshop tentatively scheduled for May 16, 2025, please contact Ms. Snyder at jsnyder@aaccaa.info.

Congratulations to Early Head Start Teachers Tianna Witherspoon and Sharon Chen



The Community Action Agency would like to congratulate Tianna Witherspoon and Sharon Chen, two of our Early Head Start teachers! Ms. Witherspoon has completed all requirements and has obtained her Child Development associate’s degree and Ms. Chen has completed her Infant and Toddler 45 certification. Congratulations to Ms. Witherspoon and Ms. Chen as they continue to provide quality care and instruction in our Early Head Start classrooms.

Community Health Ambassadors Reach Residents Through Outreach Activities

Since 2021, the Community Action Agency has been proud to be part of the Anne Arundel County Health Department’s Community Health Ambassadors program. Our current Health Ambassadors, Shajuan Morgan and Virgil Wells, joined the Agency in 2022 and have been reaching local residents to discuss health topics, such as COVID-19, Mental Health, NARCAN use and administration, and Community Safety ever since. They also provide people they meet with any needed referrals and resources offered by Community Action and our community partners. 

We are sharing three stories that portray the importance of community outreach and the benefits of the training they have received from the Department of Health.

Recently, the team was canvassing in the Glen Burnie area where they had the opportunity to talk to a senior citizen who was concerned about the high costs of living, and had received a disconnect notice from BGE. The team referred her to Community Action’s Energy Assistance program to receive help with her bill and followed up with her the next week. The woman expressed her appreciation that they checked in with her. She shared that normally if she is seeking help, people just give her a name and number or address. Our team made sure she had everything she needed to apply when they initially meet with her and in the follow up ensured she had submitted her application and supporting documentation and didn’t have more questions. Ms. Morgan stated that this experience solidified the importance of follow-up.

The team attended the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Annapolis and encountered a woman sitting on the ground against the rear bumper of a car. She appeared to be intoxicated, but after speaking with her and drawing from the lessons they learned through their Mental Health First Aid courses, they realized she was having a mental health episode. They asked the woman if there was someone they could call for her or if she needed 911 – she asked them to call her husband, which they did. They waited with the woman until her husband arrived, and he was very grateful that they cared enough to call and to stay with his wife until he got there.

Gun-violence incidents have impacted the Clay Street neighborhood over the past few weeks, including a shooting that took place at an elementary school bus stop at a time when children were waiting for their ride to school. That day, Ms. Morgan and Mr. Wells visited the neighborhood offering resources that were needed. They had an opportunity to speak with a young woman who was at the bus stop with her young child but sent him back into their home because he forgot something. Thankfully, her child did not see the shooting, but she did and talked about her experience, almost in tears. The mother stated that it was helpful to speak about it and get her feelings out with people who actually listened to her. The team informed her about available mental health services to help get long-term assistance. She was especially happy to find out she could call 9-8-8 to speak with someone. The mother appreciated that the team cared enough to visit the neighborhood on the day of the shooting, providing resources for those who needed them.



For more information about the Community Health Ambassadors program, please contact Ms. Morgan at smorgan@aaccaa.info.

The Agency’s Energy Assistance program recently received an application from a customer seeking assistance with an outstanding BGE bill, a critical step toward securing stable housing for herself and her two children. Although she was gainfully employed, she revealed to her client service representative that her family had been experiencing homelessness since 2024. After temporarily living with her brother in January 2025, she was asked to leave. With no other options and unable to continue to pay for hotel stays, she and her children spent two weeks sleeping in her car.



While our customer was unfortunately found to be ineligible for energy assistance due to income guidelines, her story did not go unheard. Recognizing the urgency of her situation, Ms. Clark connected her with our Housing Assistance and Services program. Thanks to that referral, she received support for the full security deposit needed to move into a safe and stable home.

Since 1992, April has been recognized as Stress Awareness Month to focus on the causes and cures for the modern stress epidemic. The theme for Stress Awareness Month 2025 is Lead with Love – a powerful call to action rooted in the principles of Unconditional Positive Regard. This theme encourages us to approach ourselves and others with kindness, compassion, and acceptance, no matter the challenges we face. 

 In today’s world, where stress often thrives in the midst of conflict, tension, and division, there is a belief that love is the universal force capable of shifting the narrative. By choosing love as our starting point, we can embrace empathy, prioritize understanding, and create positive change in every interaction. 



Stress affects everyone, but together, we can make a difference. By participating in Stress Awareness Month 2025, you’ll experience numerous benefits:

• Inspire Others: Your participation can motivate others to lead with love and take action toward better mental health.

• Increased Awareness: Learn about the root causes of stress and how it impacts your mental health.

• Practical Tools: Access resources, tips, and techniques to manage stress and improve your well-being.

• Build Connections: Join a community of like-minded individuals all working to reduce stress and promote healthier living.

The Community Action Agency is seeking volunteers who are ready to come help and make a difference in our community! Volunteers are needed to assist with a variety of tasks.

For more information, please call 410.626.1900 x1024.