(3/22) Representative Edwin Singer and Carroll County Commissioner Joe Vigliotti introduced the ENOUGH Initiative to the Town Council. The Program, created by Governor Wes Moore, is a first-of-its-kind community-based program designed to combat childhood poverty in Maryland. ENOUGH is an acronym meaning "Engaging Neighborhoods, Organizations, Unions, Governments and Households". It is designed to aid neighborhoods that have been disproportionally impacted by systems and policies that limit the creation of wealth and economic mobility.
As to how Union Bridge qualifies for the Program, the Local Management Board created a plan for all of Frederick County but focuses on areas with the highest poverty levels. Along with a small portion of Westminster, Union Bridge identified as having 20 to 29% of children living in poverty, making the Town a priority. Unfortunately, at this time, only Towns with a level above 30% receive the much-coveted grant monies; however, Moore has said there are plans to provide grant funding for the 20 to 29% levels in the future.
While Singer was adamant that they were not looking for any monetary contribution from the Council, finding supportive funding from the community is a priority for the Management Board. "It’s not going to be easy for us to do but I think we’re going to need to talk to whoever our community partners are," he said. "We are starting with you guys as the government and any organizations that you would suggest to us that we should talk to is important to us."
Singer also pointed out the potential for County cannabis money, intended for areas adversely impacted by marijuana, and how it could be used to aid Union Bridge citizens. "I don’t want to say that Union Bridge necessarily is one of those areas that's been adversely impacted by marijuana or substance abuse but, if you could make the argument that it's an economically disadvantaged community, that's one of the things that is mentioned in the use of cannabis funds as to how they want us to direct that money."
One example of the Local Management Boards (LMB) aid was the creation of a transportation program for high school students who could be a part of a Carroll County Internship Program but didn’t have access to a car. "This year the LMB sponsored a transportation program so the kids that couldn't get transportation could potentially participate in internships," said Singer.
Singer said his team was working toward the goal of meeting with the Union Bridge Community in May or June. He asked the Commissioners to fill out a survey that would provide valuable input on how to engage Union Bridge citizens for their feedback. "We want them to talk to us and we want them to answer questions, and we want them to tell us how they think we can make a difference here," he said.
Some of Singer’s community engagement suggestions included sponsoring a dinner at the Fire Hall with activities for the kids, door to door canvasing, and working with the "Dream Big Union Bridge" Organization to get people out and involved. With the goal of presenting the results from their interactions with Union Bridge residents to the Commissioners by September, Singer pointed out that, "that’s not where things end." The reports will help identify what needs to be done and how to achieve them.
