Horizon Foundation launches new campaign to advance racial equity in Howard County
Earlier this month, the Foundation launched a new campaign to amplify the voices of Black community leaders and explore the many ways racism and other barriers affect the health and wellbeing of African Americans in Howard County. The campaign also highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic underscores how racism leads to worse health outcomes for African Americans.
The Foundation worked with a wide range of African American leaders to share their perspectives about racism and its impact on areas such as safety, chronic stress, health care, education, access to healthy food and more. The new campaign is committed to elevating the voices of these leaders and igniting conversations about these important topics to help advance racial equity. It also provides residents with a number of tools to take action – including promoting policy change, attending racial equity trainings, educating themselves about how racism affects health, registering to vote and completing the 2020 census.
Check out the campaign>>
Sign the petition to support advancing racial equity in Howard County>>
We need you! Register now for Howard County’s first-ever Virtual Walk Audit
Do you want a better, safer, more walkable, bikeable and accessible Howard County? Have you ever looked at an intersection or a stretch of roadway and said, “Wow, this could be better designed?” Or “When is this going to be fixed?” Join our Streets for All Coalition for our virtual walk audit in the Elkridge neighborhood and help us recommend the changes that are needed to make it easier and safer for everyone to get around!
Space is limited! Register before October 2 to claim your toolkit with materials to help you complete the virtual walk audit, along with some free Streets for All swag!
Learn more and register>>
Educating voters with the League of Women Voters of Howard County
The Horizon Foundation has teamed up with the League of Women Voters of Howard County to help educate residents about local candidates for office and answer questions about voting in the 2020 Election. Join us on Friday, October 2 for a Candidate Forum to learn more about candidates running for the Howard County Board of Education and the Circuit Court.
Learn more and discover 2020 voting resources>>
Speaking Easy Over Dinner is sold out!
Now more than ever, staying connected is on everyone’s mind – and we’re all looking for new ways to get in touch. Speaking Easy Over Dinner provides a creative way for you to talk with your loved ones about the things that would matter most to you if a time came when you couldn’t speak for yourself. Being held on September 30, the event will reach nearly 350 people! We are thrilled at the community response to this event and hope we can host another opportunity like this soon.
Learn about Speaking Easy Over Dinner>>
Be an Emotional Support Human!
We are excited to announce the re-launch of our Emotional Support Human website! While it has a new look and feel, we are continuing to normalize conversation around mental health by reinforcing the idea that we can all be a pillar in a time of need.
In today’s digital space, it’s more important than ever to stay connected to our friends, loved ones, and community – especially as we are all dealing with anxiety, grief and isolation due to COVID-19. Emotional Support Humans show a willingness to reach out and listen compassionately to loved ones living with mental health challenges. Our site provides tips and resources for those who want to show up and be present for their loved ones but who might be unsure of where to begin, what to ask, or what practical steps to take.
Be an Emotional Support Human>>
Howard County Board of Education passes stronger educational equity policy
The Howard County Board of Education was considering a policy to improve educational equity in our community, but it needed a number of improvements to better serve students of color. Following the passage of the policy last week, we released this joint statement below on behalf of the Howard County Equity Collaborative – comprised of the African American Community Roundtable, Association of Community Services of Howard County, Equity4HC, Horizon Foundation and Howard County Chinese School – which has been working on racial equity issues related to the social determinants of health, including housing and education.
“We are pleased to announce that the final amended and adopted version of HCPSS Policy 1080 – Educational Equity adequately addressed the amendments put forward by the Howard County Equity Collaborative! This is a great first step to eliminating barriers that prevent children of color from achieving their full potential including barriers to educational opportunity, good health, and other determinants of wellbeing. By enacting Policy 1080 with our amendments, the Board of Education set us on a path towards an even stronger school system and positions HCPSS as a leader in educational equity both in Maryland and the rest of the country. Thank you to BOE members Mavis Ellis, Chair, Vicky Cutroneo, Vice Chair, Kirsten Coombs, Christina Delmont-Small, Zachary Koung, Jennifer Mallo, Sabina Taj and Chao Wu for voting to strengthen the Superintendent’s draft policy and doing right by our children. With that being said, now it is time for implementation and to move forward in making real changes for the students in our school system. Let’s get to work!”
Read our suggested amendments to Policy 1080>>
