Montgomery County, Maryland is a diverse and vibrant community with a strong sense of civic engagement. This is largely due to the numerous community organizations that work tirelessly to improve the lives of its residents. These organizations, both large and small, have made significant accomplishments in various areas such as education, health, and social services. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the success stories of these community organizations in Montgomery County.
The Nonprofit Village: Empowering Nonprofits
The Nonprofit Village is a community organization that provides resources and support to nonprofit organizations in Montgomery County.Founded in 2006, the organization has helped over 200 nonprofits with services such as affordable office space, training, and networking opportunities. One of the success stories of the Nonprofit Village is their partnership with the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services. Through this partnership, they were able to provide free office space to a nonprofit that offers mental health services to low-income families. This allowed the nonprofit to expand its services and reach more people in need. The Nonprofit Village also offers a program called "Nonprofit Incubator" which helps new nonprofits get off the ground by providing them with office space, training, and mentorship. One of the accomplishments of this program is the success of a nonprofit called "Girls on Fire Leaders" which empowers young girls through leadership training.
With the help of the Nonprofit Village, this organization was able to grow and now serves over 100 girls in Montgomery County.
The Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless: Ending Homelessness
The Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless (MCCH) is a community organization that works towards ending homelessness in the county. They provide emergency shelter, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. One of the success stories of MCCH is their "Rapid Re-Housing" program which helps families who are at risk of becoming homeless. Through this program, MCCH provides financial assistance and case management to help families secure stable housing. In 2019, this program helped over 200 families avoid homelessness. In addition to their housing programs, MCCH also offers employment services to help individuals experiencing homelessness find and maintain employment.One of their accomplishments in this area is the success of a program called "Home Builders" which provides job training and placement services to individuals with disabilities. Through this program, MCCH has helped over 100 individuals with disabilities find employment and gain financial independence.
The Montgomery County Food Council: Fighting Hunger
The Montgomery County Food Council is a community organization that works towards ensuring access to healthy and affordable food for all residents in the county. They bring together stakeholders from various sectors such as government, nonprofits, and businesses to address food insecurity in the community. One of the success stories of the Montgomery County Food Council is their "Food Recovery and Access Working Group" which focuses on reducing food waste and increasing access to healthy food for those in need. Through this group, they have established partnerships with local grocery stores and restaurants to donate excess food to food banks and shelters.This has not only reduced food waste but also provided nutritious meals to those experiencing food insecurity. The Montgomery County Food Council also runs a program called "Farm to Food Bank" which connects local farmers with food banks to provide fresh produce to those in need. This program has not only helped reduce food waste but also provided healthy options for individuals and families facing food insecurity.
The Montgomery County Volunteer Center: Mobilizing Volunteers
The Montgomery County Volunteer Center is a community organization that connects volunteers with opportunities to serve in the county. They work with over 600 nonprofit organizations and government agencies to address various community needs. One of the success stories of the Montgomery County Volunteer Center is their "Days of Service" program which mobilizes volunteers to participate in community service projects on specific days throughout the year. In 2019, over 3,000 volunteers participated in these projects, contributing over 10,000 hours of service to the community. In addition to their volunteer programs, the Montgomery County Volunteer Center also offers training and resources to help nonprofits effectively engage and manage volunteers.One of their accomplishments in this area is the success of a nonprofit called "Books for International Goodwill" which collects and distributes books to underserved communities around the world. With the help of volunteers recruited through the Volunteer Center, this organization has been able to expand its reach and impact.
