"Helping People Changing Lives"

Community Action Serves Youth!

Community Action's Pathways 2 Peace Program Wraps Up a Successful Year

Annapolis High School Pathways 2 Peace (P2P) program just wrapped up it’s third successful year under the Project Ignite grant that is administered by CAA.  

Pathways to Peace is a program for students that have been involved in incidences of youth violence, have been impacted by youth violence, and/or have ideas on how to mitigate youth violence. P2P students are engaged in relationships to provide supports and opportunities that help them become ready, willing and able to succeed in education, employment, and life.

In support of this mission, 24 P2P students representing all of the low income neighborhoods in Annapolis experienced a fun year of team building, goal setting, college visits, job shadows, and more.

Highlights from this year:

• Watching a high school boy trust other group members enough to be lifted up and over a 12 foot wall. Some of the people helping to lift him are from historically opposing neighborhoods.
• Knowing that each student in the group has a resume, personal statement, and a vision for their future that they can articulate and ask for help with.
• Twenty students asking their own supportive adults to help them achieve their short term goals, including getting a job and drivers license, improving self esteem and communication skills, and being a better person.  
• Experiencing so many “firsts”... first time making Honor Roll, first time trying sushi and pupusas, first time trusting others to overcome obstacles, first time trying extra-curricular activities, first time leaving Maryland, first time seeing a Broadway show in NYC

These experiences not only expanded the students’ horizons but also deepened their belief in themselves and each other. As the Pathways 2 Peace program continues to grow, it stands as a powerful example of what’s possible when young people are given the space, support, and encouragement to reimagine their futures—and take bold steps toward them. We can’t wait to see what next year brings!

Dragon Night Brings Families Together at Annapolis Middle School

Annapolis Middle School’s recent Dragon Night was a wonderful success, thanks to a partnership with the Community Action Agency! Parents and families gathered for an evening of creativity and connection, starting with the Colors of Emotion craft activity led by art influencer Sandra St Leger. This hands-on workshop encouraged parents to explore and express their emotions through art, fostering self-awareness and emotional well-being.

Following the art session, Community School Coordinator Amy Beller led an engaging Social Media Awareness and Safety workshop. Parents learned valuable tips and strategies to help keep their children safe online and support responsible digital citizenship.

Dragon Night is a monthly Friday event designed to unite families and the school community for fun, learning, and meaningful engagement. This month’s activities sparked lively conversations and genuine connections, with parents enthusiastically participating and sharing their experiences. We’re proud to see our school community growing stronger together.

Community Action's program at Annapolis Middle School is through a partnership with the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission.

Agency Health Ambassadors Bring Soul Box Project to Annapolis Elementary School

Community Action’s Health Ambassadors were invited to Annapolis Elementary School on June 11, 2025, to facilitate a Soul Box project with fifth grade students. The school was selected because many students were personally impacted by gun violence when a shooting took place at their bus stop while they were waiting to get picked up for school.

The Soul Box Project is an art-based, community-building initiative designed to raise awareness about the gun violence epidemic in the United States. Participants create hand-folded origami boxes, which they can decorate to honor and commemorate lives lost to gun violence. Each box is a deeply personal tribute, representing the victims of gun violence is a visually powerful way. One student shared that she was making her box in memory of her aunt, who was driving her car when a stray bullet went through the windshield of her car.

The students enjoyed the time spent making and decorating their boxes. Each student was able to make as many Soul Boxes as they wished and were given the choice of keeping their box or donating it to the library.

The Community Action Agency is honored that we were able to work with a group of children from our community who have dealt with gun violence in a personal way and hope the project helps children with their healing process.

Early Head Start Prepares for Graduation!

Community Action’s Early Head Start program is on a roll preparing for our 3-year-olds to transition into the next level of their educational careers. The center is preparing a graduation celebration for 10 children, which will take place on August 15, 2025. The children will march in with their caps and gowns, and will perform songs to showcase what they have learned, especially in the last year. The event will be open to all Early Head Start families. The celebration will include food, fun, and activities for children and families.

With ten children leaving the program, this opens opportunities for other children to join the Early Head Start family! The center is committed to the education of infants and toddlers living in South County and Annapolis. The team is currently enrolling children from 6 weeks to 3 years of age. For more information, please contact the center at 443.951.5553.

Energy Assistance Application Period for FY2026 Begins July 1, 2025

Community Action’s Energy Assistance program will begin accepting applications for Fiscal Year 2026 on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. All customers are encouraged to complete an application beginning on that date, even if they submitted applications within the past few months. 

Applications can be submitted by visiting one of our full-service offices located at 251 West Street in Annapolis or 613 Global Way in Linthicum Heights. Applications can also be submitted online at https://mymdthink.maryland.gov. Customers must provide the following documentation to complete their application: photo ID of applicant, Social Security cards for each member of the household, proof of residence, BGE bill, and proof of household income for the previous 30 days (for all members of the household 18 years of age and older).

Household income eligibility requirements for Energy Assistance is as follows:

Number of Household  Monthly

Members                           Income

1                                             $2608

2                                             $3525

3                                             $4441

4                $5358

5                                             $6275

6                                             $7191

7                                             $8108

8                                             $9025

For any additional household members over a total of 8, please add $917 to monthly income

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

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

Community Action is pleased to announce that our 5^th Annual Taste of Anne Arundel will be launching in early-July! Here's a way to support the mission of the Agency while also having the opportunity to win some tasty prizes!

To date, twenty-one restaurants have jumped on board to support the fundraiser, and we have over $1,500 in gift cards for our fundraising raffle. The Grand Prize winner will receive a minimum of $75o of gift cards; 2nd Place will win $500 of gift cards; and the 3rd Prize winner will receive $250 of gift cards.

The sponsoring restaurants are: Arturo's Trattoria, Ashling, Betty Lou's, Brian Boru, Carpaccio Tuscan Kitchen, Cypress, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, Galway Bay, Harvest Thyme Tavern, 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 Winecafe, and Wharf 38.

Our annual fundraiser is very easy concept – the Agency receives donations from Anne Arundel County restaurants in the form of gift cards, which we raffle off to raise money to support our programs. As in years past, we will have a combination of new restaurants and older favorites. We’ll be announcing our launch date and restaurant sponsors soon! 

For more information, or to donate gift cards, please contact Ms. Snyder at jsnyder@aaccaa.info.



Fundraising never tasted so good!

A returning citizen, Ms. G., contacted the Community Action Agency in search of assistance obtaining her personal needs. At the time, she was living in a sober home, where she was expected to purchase her own necessities. She was referred to the Turnaround Thursday (TAT) caseworker who ensured a package was delivered to her the next day. Ms. G. was immediately invited to attend the next Turnaround Thursday meeting, which was the beginning of her TAT story.

Since registering for TAT, Ms. G. has received a variety of services facilitated by the Community Action TAT team. The Agency initially provided funds she owed to the Motor Vehicle Administration so she could obtain her drivers license and later assisted her with obtaining automobile insurance after she was awarded with a car from Vehicles for Change. She received her new car live on the local news on May 7, 2025!

Although Ms. G. spent time incarcerated, she took advantage of the benefits that were available to her while she was inside, and continued to do so once she was released. She took Office Management I and II and enrolled in a Legal Writing course with Georgetown University, gaining knowledge of court documents, petition writing, resources, and opportunities tailored to justice impacted individuals. She also worked in records management and environmental management.

Ms. G. involved herself with the church, increased her spiritual knowledge and understanding. She wrote developed written plans and goals, understanding that her sons had become men, therefore empowering herself with the tools to collaborate with them. She realized she had a lot of soul searching and work to do.

Recently, Ms. G. contacted the Agency after learning of an open position at Community Action transition house. She submitted her resume and interviewed with the Agency’s Vice President. She had been seeking employment for months and shared that she prayed daily for an opportunity to come her way. Her prayers were finally answered and everything came full circle! A door opened for her at the place where she received multiple blessings.

Ms. G. worked with several organizations throughout her journey, but ended up at the Community Action Agency as the House Manager and Outreach Coordinator with a reliable vehicle, a place to sleep, and no financial obstacles. She is now focused on her sons and giving back to the community.

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. It is observed as an opportunity to spread the word about and discuss Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias. Throughout the month the Alzheimer’s Association encourages people around the globe to support the movement by wearing purple and training their brains to fight the disease.

Here are ten science-based recommendations to help build a better brain:

Breathing, focus, and mindfulness: Often, remembering something first requires our attention. Taking a deep slow breath can focus our minds, lower stress, and enrich our brain oxygen level.

Exercise and build strength: Regularly increase your heart rate, keep joints moving and lift weights or use resistance bands. Brisk walks and dancing have been shown to improve cognition.

Watch food, beverages, and more: We are what we eat, drink, and inhale. Consider adopting the Mediterranean diet to your lifestyle (to learn more, click here www.healthline.com/nutrition/mediterranean-diet-meal-plan). Lower consumption of sugary foods and drinks, processed meals, and carbohydrates (ie. white breads and pastas). Diabetes and smoking are top risk factors for cognitive decline.

Ensure better sleep: Rest in a dark, cool room. Reduce reading and eating in bed. Limit electronic distractions and blue-light emitting devices.

Understand your chemistry: Have your pharmacist check for any possible medication interaction. Consider using genetic counseling to inform how certain drugs might work in your body and reveal little known aspects about your health and family medical history.

Protect your head: Traumatic brain injury and concussions are problematic. Wear a seatbelt, get help with climbing ladders, watch for trips and falls, and avoid full-contact sports (or wear protective head gear).

Aid your senses: What you don’t hear or see is hard to remember. Plus, straining to listen or see forces the brain to allocate resources away from cognitive tasks. Look up, listen up! Test your hearing and vision.

Stay socially active: Engaging in conversation works diverse regions of the brain to respond and remember. Gather with others through your faith, work, hobby, or other common interests.

Challenge yourself: Do new activities. Try different foods, travel to new destinations, practice other languages, and take up a new hobby.

Be curious: Ask questions. Why? Learning is your #1 brain health building block.



To learn more about Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias, click here , or visit www.dementiasociety.org.

Community Action Invites You to Stop by our Table at the 5th Annual Juneteenth Festival!

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.