"Helping People Changing Lives"

Community Action Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month!

The Anne Arundel County Community Action Agency proudly joins the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Anne Arundel County is home to a vibrant Hispanic community whose rich traditions, culture, and economic contributions greatly enhance our shared quality of life. From arts and cuisine to entrepreneurship and community service, our Hispanic neighbors help shape the inclusive and dynamic spirit that defines our county.

The Agency is honored to stand alongside and support our Hispanic community, reflected in their representation across our Board of Directors, staff, and programs. We celebrate their invaluable contributions that help make Anne Arundel County one of the best places to live—for all!

Community Action Receives Award from Atlantic Union Bank

On September 17, 2025, Chief Executive Officer Dr. Charlestine R. Fairley and Vice President Joshua Hatch represented the Anne Arundel County Community Action Agency at the Coffee and Communities Celebration honoring Atlantic Union Community Impact Grant awardees from the DC and Maryland region.

Held at the Four Seasons in Baltimore, the event brought together nonprofit leaders and changemakers dedicated to strengthening communities and creating lasting impact across the region.

The Agency is honored to receive a $5,000 Community Impact Grant from Atlantic Union Bank in recognition of its ongoing work to empower and uplift Anne Arundel County residents.

Community Action Board of Directors Member Jesse Raudales Honored

Olympic artist Jesse Raudales was honored at a reception hosted by Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman on October 14, 2025, at the Maryland Treasury Building located in Annapolis. The Art in Treasured Spaces reception celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month.

In addition to showcasing the artwork of Jesse at the reception, Special Secretary Y. Maria Martinez of the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority and Women’s Business Affairs, Delegate Joseline Pena-Melnyk, Delegate Ashanti Martinez, and JRI Communications Director Michelle Morrissey shared powerful reflections and stories that enriched the celebration.

The Community Action Agency wishes to congratulate Jesse on the celebration of his work and many contributions to our community!

What’s New at Early Head Start

The Community Action Agency’s Early Head Start program is excited to welcome a new member to the team, Ms. Danielle! Ms. Danielle will be working with our two-year-olds and brings a wealth of childcare experience. Welcome, Ms. Danielle!



The Agency remains committed to supporting our Early Head Start staff as they continue their education and professional growth. Our teachers are actively engaging in training and certification programs to better serve the infants and toddlers in our care.

The Early Head Start team is also busy planning their Annual Fall Festival, which takes place later this month. The celebration will feature games, food, and seasonal activities, including pumpkin painting. Children are invited to come dressed as their favorite non-scary character (with parent permission) to join in the festive spirit. We are looking forward to sharing pictures from the event in our next newsletter!

As always, Early Head Start continues to participate in community outreach and recruitment to serve families in South County and Annapolis. The program is currently accepting applications for infants and toddlers ages 6 weeks to 3 years.



For more information about Early Head Start, please contact Ms. Turner at

lturner@aaccaa.info.

Community Action and Annapolis Middle School Host Dragon Family Night

The Community Action Agency and Annapolis Middle School kicked off Year Two of the Coordinated Community Supports Partnership with Dragon Family Night—a joyful, information-packed evening designed to connect families with supports and resources. 

Students and caregivers met our four on-site Success Coaches and Licensed Mental Health Clinician, learned how the Family Check-Up evidence-based model guides services, and explored additional interventions introduced by the Local Behavioral Health Agency.

Centering our Two-Generation Whole Family Approach, families signed up for coaching, brief screenings, and workshops, and accessed resources for transportation, basic needs, and mental health referrals. The event deepened home-school partnership, boosted social-emotional belonging, and made it easier for families to get help early—before challenges escalate.

Thank you to our staff, volunteers, and community partners for powering a strong start to Year Two!

Community Action’s South County Office is Open for Business

The Anne Arundel County Community Action Agency is excited to announce the opening of a new office in the South County area. This expanded presence is part of the Agency’s continued commitment to making essential services more accessible to all county residents.

The new office is located at Bay Community Health’s Wayson’s Corner medical center at 5408 Southern Maryland Boulevard in Lothian, MD. The office telephone number is 410.980.5613.

Office Hours and Services: The South County office is open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Residents can:

• Submit Energy Assistance applications
• Receive referrals for Agency programs such as:
• Diversion and Reentry Services
• Early Head Start
• Housing Assistance and Services
• Youth Development Services
• Obtain referrals to additional service providers throughout the county

Ongoing Outreach Services: The Agency will continue to provide outreach services for South County residents at the following sites:

·      St. James Parish, 5757 Solomon’s Island Road, Lothian, Thursdays, 9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.

·      Edgewater Library, 25 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater, first and third Tuesdays of each month, 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

For more information about Agency services in South County, please contact Ms. Julie Snyder at jsnyder@aaccaa.info or call 410.980.8256. 

Cold Weather is Coming! Submit Your Energy Assistance Applications Now!

With cold weather season approaching, our Energy Assistance program staff are hard at work helping local residents get their energy assistance applications submitted and processed.

To help our team serve you quickly and efficiently, please include all required documentation when submitting your application. Required documents

include:

·      Government issued ID for the applicant

·      Social Security cards for all household members

·      Proof of residence if current address is not on ID (copy of lease, property tax bill, etc.)

·      Proof of household income for the past 30 days from all household members 18 years of age and older (paycheck stubs, Social Security Benefit Verification Letter for 2025, etc.)

·      A recent copy of your BGE and/or heating oil bill.

Please make sure your application is signed and dated. Applications will not be processed until all required documentation is received.



For more information about the Agency’s Energy Assistance program, please contact Ms. Tasker at jtasker@aaccaa.info.

Community Action Wraps Up Outreach Activities for Plan 2040

The Anne Arundel County Community Action Agency officially wrapped up its Plan 2040 outreach activities on September 30, 2025. The Agency’s team was responsible for covering Region 8, which encompasses the western areas of South County, including the western portion of Davidsonville, Harwood, Friendship, Lothian, and the western portion of Edgewater, which is largely rural in nature.

Since Fall 2024, Community Action has partnered with the Anne Arundel County Office of Planning and Zoning to connect with Region 8 residents and ensure their voices were included in shaping the county’s long-term vision. through community events and surveys.

Throughout the year, Agency staff attended many community events, visited local food and baby banks, churches, the South County Senior Center, libraries in Edgewater and Deale, and conducted neighborhood canvassing to engage residents directly.

Since May 2025, the Agency interacted with over 1,000 South County residents, encouraging them to participate in the planning process. The Agency extends heartfelt thanks to the many South County residents who shared their time, ideas, and hopes for the future of Region 8.

To learn more about the Region 8 Plan, view the Draft Plan, and explore Planned Land Use Changes, please visit www.aacounty.org/region8.

Community Action Seeks Support for the 29th Annual Harriett Pratt Gifts of Love

Continuing a cherished tradition, the Anne Arundel County Community Action Agency will host the 29th Annual Harriett Pratt Gifts of Love on December 15, 2025, at the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel. 

The program, an initiative of the Agency’s Youth Development Services, invites homeless, fostered, and low-income children to participate each year to enjoy a delicious dinner, gifts, and festivities in celebration of the holiday season.

Each year, the gifts are made possible through the generosity of individuals, community organizations, and local businesses. This season, Community Action invites you to help make the holidays brighter for a local child by donating in one of two ways:

·      Make a Donation: Contribute a tax-deductible donation to help Agency staff purchase gifts for participating children. Checks may be sent to the attention of Julie Snyder at 251 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401.

·      Adopt a Child: Sign up to adopt a child and receive a personalized wish list! Shop and drop off gifts or arrange pickup by December 1, 2025 — and Agency staff will even wrap them! To adopt, contact Ms. Julie Snyder at jsnyder@aaccaa.info.

The Agency partners with Anne Arundel County Public Schools, the Coordinated Community Supports Partnership (Annapolis Middle School), Stanton Center, and Early Head Start to identify local children most in need. This year, we look forward to serving over 100 children.

For more information about donating to Gifts of Love, contact Ms. Snyder at jsnyder@aaccaa.info or call 410.626.1900 x1026.

Make a donation and bring joy to a child over the holiday season!

The 29th Annual Harriett Pratt Gifts of Love is proudly sponsored by Atlas Restaurant Group and Rotary Club of Annapolis.

Nourishing Family Bonds Through Healthy Eating

Back to school season is officially in full swing. Our schedules are returning to the hustle and bustle after summer vacation. One essential activity that often takes a back seat in such busy seasons is sharing meals together as a family. This October, we're shining a spotlight on the importance of eating healthier as a family and how it can lead to improved nutrition and positively impact families.

●     Nutritional Value: Research consistently shows that when families eat together, they tend to consume more nutritious foods and a greater variety of them. Eating together is a simple yet effective way to boost the overall health of everyone at the table.

●     Better Communication: Family meals provide an opportunity for meaningful conversations. They create a relaxed environment where everyone can share their thoughts, experiences, and stories. Use this as an uninterrupted time with your family without distractions like phones or TV.

●     Stress Management: Research shows that families who routinely rely on social support to navigate problems are less likely to use harmful coping mechanisms such as substance abuse.

●     Make Celebration Routine: Family meals often signify celebrations and bonding. They create core memories and strengthen the sense of togetherness within the family. When families enjoy meals together, they can make mealtime a joyful experience. Rather than waiting for specific occasions to celebrate, daily meals allow families to create memorable moments in our daily routines.

●     Promote Team Building: Cooking can be a fun and educational activity for all. Instead of one person preparing a meal, families can discover recipes to try together, making meal time that much more enjoyable. Assign roles for each family member appropriate for skill level.

●     Gain new skills:  Whether a young learner or an adult, cooking together provides an opportunity to gain a new skill. Aside from the physical cooking skills, other skill sets we learn from cooking include following instructions, meal planning, reading comprehension, attention to detail, and basic math.

●     Establish a healthy foundation: Incorporating habits early in life is a great way to set the foundation for a lifetime of healthier eating. Cooking together is a perfect way to teach children cooking skills, cultural traditions, and basic nutrition concepts at a young age.

For a selection of healthy recipes click here.



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.