"Helping People Changing Lives"

Agency Launches Summer Therapeutic Enrichment Camp for Second Year

We are excited to announce the return of the Community Action Agency’s Summer Therapeutic Enrichment Camp for its second year, which is being held at Riva Trace Baptist Church in Davidsonville! This transformative Therapeutic Leadership Program offers a dynamic 6-week experience designed to equip students with essential skills for success with behavioral and mental health.

Participants will engage in structured sessions and workshops focused on Trauma-Resilience, Social-Emotional Learning, and Team Building. Each morning begins with affirmations, journaling, and yoga mindfulness sessions to set a positive tone for the day. The program emphasizes trauma-informed practices, empowering students to navigate challenges while building resilience through self-regulated behaviors.

Through evidence-based approaches rooted in social learning and self-efficacy theories, participants will develop crucial skills while enjoying therapeutic enrichment activities and engaging with guest speakers. Join us for a transformative summer that fosters growth, confidence, and leadership!

For more information about the program, please contact Ms. Phillips at dphillips@aaccaa.info.

Health Ambassadors Wrap Up a Busy Year

Since 2021, the Community Action Agency has participated in the Anne Arundel County Department of Health’s Community Health Ambassadors program. Since its’ inception, the program has offered information about COVID, but has expanded its focus into mental health, NARCAN training, and community safety. Health Ambassadors also refer people they meet during outreach activities to Community Action programs, such as Energy Assistance and Housing Assistance and Services, as well as providing referrals to other local agencies and non-profit organizations serving Anne Arundel County residents.

Shajuan Morgan and Virgil Wells have represented the Health Ambassadors team on behalf of the Agency since 2022. Aaron Butler joined the team this spring to assist with administrative tasks and survey input.

During FY2025, the team has reached over 2,500 county residents, with 638 completing surveys to help the Department of Health determine the needs of people living in the community. Over 50% of the people reached were engaged during community events. The events included Mental Health Awareness Fair at Center of Applied Technology – North, Juneteenth Fair, Community Resource Fair at Van Bokkelen Elementary School, My Life Foundation Community Resource Fair at Church at Severn Run, Community Fair at North County High School, and Department of Social Services Community Resource event at Brooklyn Park Library. The team also represents the Health Ambassadors and the Agency on a regular schedule at Severn Center and Brooklyn Park Library.

The Health Ambassadors have also held two sessions with approximately 40 attendees where mental health, NARCAN training, and community safety were the topics. The team also facilitated a Soul Box Project for 30 5^th graders at Annapolis Elementary School, where community safety information was shared. The Health Ambassadors also hosted three Mental Health First Aid certification workshops, an 8-hour course, for 45 people.

The team has already kicked off their work for FY2026! For more information about the program, please contact Ms. Morgan at smorgan@aaccaa.info.

Youth Development Services Staff Receive Mental Health First Aid Certification

On June 26, 2025, Community Action’s Youth Development Services staff members gathered to undergo Mental Health First Aid certification training, with a focus on working with youth. The training was offered through the Agency’s Health Ambassadors’ program. 

Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based early intervention course that equips individuals with the skills to recognize and respond to mental health and substance use challenges, fostering supportive environments in communities and workplaces.

Key components of Mental Health First Aid training include:

·      Recognizing Signs: participants learn to identify common signs and symptoms of mental health issues and substance use challenges.

·      Providing Support: the training covers how to interact with individuals in crisis and how to connect them with appropriate professional help.

·      Community Specific Scenarios: the course includes activities and videos tailored to the community context, enhancing the relevance of the training.

The training will be beneficial to our Youth Development Services staff members and the families and youth they serve through the Maryland Community Health Resources program at Annapolis Middle School, the Summer Therapeutic Enrichment Camp, and other programs serving youth in our community.

Support Community Action’s 5^th Annual Taste of Anne Arundel!

The Community Action Agency is pleased to announce the launch of the 5^th Annual Taste of Anne Arundel! This year we have 22 restaurants who have donated gift cards to support the Agency’s mission. The restaurants are a combination of long-time favorites and new arrivals to the Anne Arundel restaurant scene. 

Each $5 raffle ticket offers purchasers three chances to win prizes! The first prize winner will receive $750 in restaurant gift cards, second place receives $500 in gift cards, and third place will receive gift cards totaling $250. That sounds like a lot of good eating!

The restaurant sponsors of our raffle include: Arturo’s Trattoria, Ashling, Betty Lou’s, Brian Boru, Carpaccio Tuscan Kitchen, Carrol’s Creek Café, Cypress, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, Galway Bay, Harvest Thyme Kitchen, Killarney House, Leo, Pirate’s Cove, Robiolina Amore, The Farmhouse, The Grill at Quarterfield Station, The Point Crabhouse and Grill, The Social, Timber Pizza, Two Rivers Steak and Fish House, Vin 909 Wine Café, and Wharf 38. 

With restaurants located throughout our community, winning ticket holders will have the opportunity to taste their way through Anne Arundel County!

Tickets can be purchased online by clicking here or by visiting https://go.rallyup.com/tasteofannearundel5. You can also scan the QR code in the graphic below. If you prefer to purchase raffle tickets using cash or check, please contact Ms. Snyder at jnsyder@aaccaa.info.

The drawing for the winners will be held on August 27, 2025. Get your tickets before it's too late!

The Community Action Agency’s CEO, Dr. Charlestine R. Fairley, recently received an email from Myra Glover, the Community School Program Manager at North County High School:

Dr. Fairley,

I just wanted to say thank you for your leadership of your awesome team!

First, thank you for appointing Ms. McGowan to the North County Steering Committee. I really appreciate her attendance, and she ensured the Agency was represented at our Community Fair on May 3^rd where we had almost 1000 people in attendance.

But what your team did last week was just remarkable. I reached out to Ms. Clark, who immediately connected our team with Ms. Smith who then saved a mother and 5 children from eviction, finding the last $625 to stop the eviction. The mom had most of the money but not all.

Ms Clark: Thank you for your quick response in connecting us with Ms. Smith on Thursday. You have always been so responsive and once again, you didn’t hesitate to jump right on this request.

Ms. Smith: Words are not enough to extend appreciation for saving the home of this mother and her five children. The children had no idea that they were literally days away from losing everything. When I heard the Sheriff’s Office confirm the cancellation of the eviction, I thanked God and I thanked the kindness of you to work so diligently and urgently on this situation.



As usual, the Community Action Agency is changing and literally saving lives.

July is recognized as UV Safety Awareness Month and serves as a reminder that exposure to ultraviolet rays is the most important preventable risk factor for skin cancer. UV rays come not only from the sun, but also from sun lamps and tanning beds. There are two types of UV rays that can reach and damage your skin: UVA and UVB.

Here is how you can minimize your risk of skin cancer:

·      Minimize your exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the hours when UV rays are strongest.

·      Apply a generous amount of sunscreen before you go outside. Use a water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Apply it to all areas of your body that will be exposed to the sun.

·       Reapply sunscreen every two hours, even on cloudy days. Reapply after swimming or sweating.

·       Wear clothing that covers your body and shades your face.

·       Wear sunglasses with a UV coating (the label should say 100% UVA/UVB protection)

·       Avoid using sunlamps and tanning beds

It is very important to protect children from UV rays as skin damage from rays early in life can lead to skin cancer later in life. Keep children from too much sun exposure between the peak hours of 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Apply sunscreen often to children 6 months of age and older. Keep babies under 6 months of age out of direct sunlight. Dress babies in hats and lightweight clothing that covers most of their skin.

Sand and water reflect UV rays, even under a beach umbrella. If you’re on a beach, cover up and use sunscreen. Snow is also good at reflecting UV rays, so cover up and wear sunscreen while outside in snowy areas.

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.