Oct. 2019 newsletter: Changemaker Challenge finalists, last call for Mental Health Film Festival tix…

Congratulations, Changemaker Challenge finalists! See them live Nov. 11

The Horizon Foundation and United Way of Central Maryland have named nine finalists for the 2019 Changemaker Challenge! We are grateful for the 56 applicants who submitted their big ideas for social change, and we are excited to see the finalists present at the live event Nov. 11 at the Kossiakoff Center for a chance to win up to $25,000 to bring their ideas to life. The finalist ideas and names are:

• Big Red Barn Environmental Education: Danielle N. DuPuis – Community Ecology Institute
• Changing Tables for Adults with Disabilities: Liz Burrage, Colette Jackson, Bryan Sorrentino  – The Arc of Howard County
• Initiative for Latin American Community Engagement – InLACE: Lucas de Melo, Patricia Silva
• Mental Health First Aid and Narcan Training with a Focus on Veterans: Gary Canteen, John Way – VA Way
• Practical Skills Training for Caregivers: Claire Cohen, Dan Demmitt, Elizabeth Edsall Kromm, Tracy Novak, Rachael Parran, Esther Tenaglio, Kathy Wehr – Howard County General Hospital
• Rubix Preventative Mental Health Program: Dr. Zaneb Khan Beams – Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center
• Spreading the Word about Columbia’s Black Freedom Visionaries: Pamela Woolford
• STEER – Strategic Training for Empathic Emergency Response: Dr. Leah Katherine Saal, Dr. Lisa Schoenbrodt
• Upcycled Structures from Recycled Goods: Orlando Goncalves, Alfred Striano – Upcycled

Register to attend the live event>>

Making progress towards Streets for All  

Our Streets for All coalition, which comprises 17 groups and is led by AARP Maryland, the American Heart Association, Bicycling Advocates of Howard County and the Horizon Foundation, has been very busy over the past couple of months advocating for a world-class complete streets law. County Executive Calvin Ball introduced a resolution to implement complete streets in Howard County, supported by the Horizon Foundation and partners, that was passed unanimously by the County Council this month. This is a great first step, and now the council needs to finish the job by following up with legislation to make improvements to the policy and codify it into law.

Read the Howard County Times story on the resolution>>
Listen to our interview with WBAL Radio>>
Read our statement on the passage of the resolution >>
Read our Baltimore Sun op-ed jointly authored with AARP>>
Contact your councilmember>>

RFP: Mental Health Outreach and Community Engagement Grant Opportunity

Does your organization care about mental health? Apply for grant funding up to $30,000 by Nov. 1. The Foundation is seeking organizational partners to help encourage and normalize help-seeking behavior related to mental health, address social and cultural stigmas that could prevent people from getting the help they need and further help parents learn about and take advantage of school-based mental health services in schools where they exist.

Learn more and apply>>

Rep. Elijah Cummings was a champion for health in Maryland

The long-time U.S. congressman representing Maryland’s seventh district, which includes the majority of Howard County, passed away this week. “Congressman Cummings was a giant, in stature, in voice and in championing health and wellness for all Marylanders,” said Horizon Foundation President and CEO Nikki Highsmith Vernick in a statement.

Read the full statement>>

Last call for 2019 Mental Health Film Festival tickets 

Very limited tickets remain for the 2019 Mental Health Film Festival, an event to build awareness and compassion for members of our community living with mental health challenges. Attend one of four film screenings, each followed by a time for attendees to hear from local experts, reflect, ask questions and connect with others. The event takes place Oct. 23 from 6-9 p.m. in Columbia.

Watch the trailers, see our speakers and get your free ticket>>

Speak(easy) Howard goes on tour

Our Speak(easy) Howard campaign has been hitting the road at several events this fall to talk with community members about why it’s important to name your health care agent, the person you trust to make medical decisions for you if you can’t speak for yourself. We’ve had a great time meeting new people at the Festival of India, Korean Festival, the Howard County Autism Society’s One Step Closer Walk & 5K Run and the Master Aging conference (formerly the 50+ Expo) discussing how to think through your health care wishes and talk about them with your loved ones.

Check out our spinning wheel video>>
Learn more about naming your health care agent>>