A note from Nikki
Friends,
It’s hard to fathom how quickly this year has flown by. For all of us at the Horizon Foundation, 2024 was a year full of change, challenge and community. We launched our new strategic plan after a 14 month-long process of community engagement and deep listening about the barriers many of our residents face to living a healthy and abundant life. Over the course of this year after releasing the plan, we connected with hundreds of community members through gatherings at the Foundation’s office, presentations to local organizations and leaders and over 100 virtual one-on-one meetings with folks interested in working with us on our priority issues. We continued to work with coalition partners to secure important policy victories at the state and local level, including record funding for complete streets and a permanent funding source for the 988 Crisis Helpline.
We centered racial equity and anti-racism across our organization by engaging with vendors aligned with our core values and adapting our grantmaking process to be more inclusive and trust-centered. I am so excited to tell you more about our new cohort of grantees and their work in January. Most importantly, I am filled with immense gratitude to all of you who have come with us on this journey so far and are committed to working side-by-side with us to build power, advocate for policy change and dismantle structural racism to achieve better health for everyone in Howard County and greater Maryland.
And yet, we know the challenges facing us next year and beyond are massive. There are those in seats of power that will seek to undo hard fought victories and stand against many of our goals and our values. From potential cuts to Medicaid, SNAP and other safety net programs, to threats to immigrant rights, LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive health, it can be difficult at times to imagine how we are going to effectively pursue our mission in the climate we are facing. In fact, I have heard from some in our community asking if the Foundation will change course, or pivot away from fighting for racial equity and working to end health disparities.
Our answer is simple: the Horizon Foundation is still going to do its work. We are here to support our grantees as they continue to fight and serve the community. We are going to co-create solutions to solve the systemic problems we face. We are going to build capacity and build power at the state and local level. We are wholeheartedly, steadfastly committed to our vision: a Howard County free from systemic inequities, where all people live abundant and healthy lives.
In the months ahead, you will hear more about our new grantee experience, where individuals and organizations working on issues ranging from housing to maternal and child health to food security will come together to learn from each other and build coalitions. The Foundation will also be advocating for policy change and adequate funding for public health both in Annapolis and here in Howard County. The road ahead will be filled with challenges and maybe even some setbacks – but by connecting deeply with one another about the issues we all care about, building power and trust in our community and standing strong in our values, we can make positive change.
Thank you again for your support and engagement this year, and I am excited for everything we will work on together. From all of us at the Horizon Foundation, I wish you all a healthy, happy and restful holiday season with your loved ones.
Best,
Nikki Highsmith Vernick
President & CEO, Horizon Foundation
First (Second) Thursday – January 9
It’s been a wonderful year of First Thursdays! We love these conversations with community members, and we are excited to continue connecting with one another and exploring health equity issues with all of you in 2025.
Please note the updated date for January! Our next First (Second) Thursdays conversation will take place at the Horizon Foundation’s office on January 9 at 10 a.m. Please join us for breakfast and a guided conversation about key issues on the minds of fellow Howard Countians. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Jennifer Holland by January 3.
