WIN: School Transportation Equity, $745,100
 

“I believe this is an equity issue. I met with ACT this week and they told me that [school transportation] has been a problem not just for one year, not just for two years, but going back twenty, thirty, forty years.”

– Councilman Nathan Volke, District 3

ACT, we had a serious win last night at the Anne Arundel County Council meeting. After an hour-and-a-half debate running into the early hours of this morning, the Council in a true bipartisan vote agreed with ACT that restoring $745,100 to fund seven school transportation positions was needed for both reasons of racial equity and fiscal responsibility. The meetings our leaders had with members of the county council, where we shared your stories and our analysis showing generations of neglect of school transportation, were publicly cited as a key reason for this victory. 

We are especially grateful to the many parents and students who shared their stories and invited us to organize with them. Great work to Toni Pratt (First Christian), who led this effort; and Karen Neale (St. Philip’s), Bishop Antonio Palmer (Kingdom Celebration Center), Pastor Sara Yotter (Joy Reigns), Monica Alvarado (Bread and Butter Kitchen), Caren Carney (Joy Reigns), Sharon McElfish (St. Anne’s), and Cathy Shultz (First Presbyterian), who helped write, listen, reach out to people, meet with the county council, and research this action. We are grateful for the “yea” votes of Councilwoman Lisa Rodvien (co-sponsor), Councilman Nathan Volke (who became a co-sponsor), Councilwoman Sarah Lacey, and Councilwoman Jessica Haire. 

The Capital-Gazette filed an initial article on this action, here.

You can read our co-chair’s Op-Ed in the Capital-Gazette, here. 

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MAKE A COMMITMENT YOU CAN KEEP THIS NEW YEAR

ACT Named 2019 Non-Profit Partner of the Year!

In times of hyper-partisan division, we need people who work toward unity. People who reach out and cross barriers. People fighting for what is right and fair.
People like those in ACT.

We get things done because of our leaders. Because of the work of people such as  Dominique Scurry and Jo Ann Mattson, among many others, ACT   was named the “2019 Non-Profit Partner of the Year” by the Anne Arundel County Affordable Housing Coalition. This recognition was because   of our huge win of getting a Fair Housing Law passed in this county after listening to thousands of people when we went doorknocking.   Congratulations to our doorknockers, council meeting testifiers, and council meeting attendees! You were there when it counted.

In 2019, ACT continued with the good work of uniting people upon which we launched:

o  Won a Fair Housing Law in Anne Arundel County

o  Organized residents in Woodside Gardens to get safe, clean, and healthy homes

o  After winning a faster timeline for lead testing in Anne Arundel County schools in 2018,kept tabs on safer implementation

o  Took on Gun Violence using the market-based Do Not Stand Idly By national program

o   Got commitments from County Executive Steuart Pittman and Mayor Gavin Buckley to help lead a new national Gun Safety Consortium for gun safety technology to address issues of illegal guns, gun violence and suicides

o  Stood witness against hate when our sisters and brothers were attacked because of their race or religion

o  Trained over 200 leaders across the county to lead change


 

In 2020, ACT won’t slow down. The unity we have been building -- one relationship at a time -- is  driven by real needs.  We will address systemic issues in
housing, education, mental health, jobs, criminal justice, and transportation.
Will you help keep this work going with a tax-deductible end of the year donation?

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Will you commit to working on one of these issues this year?

 

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For ACT to keep uniting people together, we need you to be in our neighborhoods, building relationships, and encouraging new leaders to stand up and lead change. Angel Crowdy, a Weeping Mom who sees ACT as a leader in curbing gun violence after losing two sons to gun violence, told us in November:

“That’s what we’re asking you today, ACT. Will you commit to go into neighborhoods affected by gun violence? Will you doorknock and listen and develop relationships? Will you work with them so people can organize and build the power to act on guns? We can win on some policy issues, but our real power comes from organizing people and money in the places most affected. Are you with me, ACT?”
 

We’re going doorknocking for reasons beyond gun violence. We’ll be working with leaders, such as Dominique Scurry in Woodside Gardens, to show real support and continued, concerted efforts to change what is wrong in our communities. Although a date is not yet set, will you prioritize going doorknocking with us when we ask?

SIGN UP FOR DOOR KNOCKING HERE

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