Join us as we celebrate the 37th Audrey Robbins Humanitarian Awards on Wednesday, June 20 Honoring:

George Pittman, Howard County Public Schools
Volunteer of the Year

Donna Michener, Bridgeway Community Church Community Cupboard
Employee of the Year

Cold Weather Shelter, Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center
Volunteer Team of the Year

Maryland Access Point, Howard County Office on Aging
Employee Team of the Year

Watch the video of the recipient's learning they have won

Sponsorship Form (Sponsorship deadline: Friday, May 25)

Purchase tickets and sponsorships (Ticket deadline: Friday, June 8)

The Oakland Mills Community Association (OMCA) promotes the health, safety, common good and social welfare of the residents of the Village of Oakland Mills. In addition to implementing  the village covenants, monitoring village property,  and responding  to residents' concerns, OMCA encourages the active participation of residents in community issues.
OMCA adds  excitement, energy, and quality of life to the community by offering a wide variety of music and performing arts productions. The Oakland Mills Cultural Arts Festival,  "Lively Arts for Little Ones," "Jazz in the Mills," and the "World Music Series" are just a few of the events hosted by OMCA.

Crowds line the street at the annual Oakland Mills Cultural Arts Festival. This year’s festival will be held on Saturday, October 6, 2012 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Oakland Mills Village Center and The Other Barn in Oakland Mills.

Contact Frederick B. Eiland, Oakland Mills Community Organizer for more information about the Association or the festival, omcommunityorganizer@columbiavillages.org, 410-730-1129.

Nonprofits Recount Value of CSP Funding

At the May 1 County Council hearing on the fiscal year 2013 proposed county budget several ACS members testified about how Community Service Partnership (CSP) grants are used to help Howard County’s most vulnerable citizens. 

Andrea Ingram, Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center Executive Director, reported that the Mobile Crisis Center has responded this year to 428 calls for assistance and over the past three years the Day Resource Center has served over 700 people. 

Hector Garcia, FIRN Executive Director, testified that the CSP grants have enabled work this year with over 15,000 individuals including 40 victims of domestic violence and the processing of 465 immigration cases.  

Executive Director Brad Closs shared that Neighbor Ride is experiencing a 40 percent increase in ridership that has reached the level of 1400 trips equaling 15,000 miles per month. The 350 volunteer drivers result in a 17:1 leveraging of each CSP grant dollar.

According to Domestic Violence Center Executive Director Jennifer Pollitt Hill, DVC has served over 3300 women, men and children providing emergency services, transitional housing and counseling.

Natalie Janiszewski, Community Action Council Board chairperson noted that CAC has helped individuals and families with energy costs (4700), eviction prevention (430), first month’s rent (100) and has ensured that 264 children have access to quality childcare and education through the county’s Head Start program.

Advertise your Signature Fundraiser - ACS Members Only

Advertise your Signature Fundraiser on our Calendar of ACS Member Signature Fundraisers on the  ACS website. Please email a 1-2 sentence description of your fundraiser to maureen.heim@acshoco.org along with a  flier if you have one. Looking for a fundraiser to promote attend or support, find them on the ACS website. This benefit is for members only.