Elevating the Voices of Our Neighbors

Earlier this month, the Montgomery County Council held a hearing on the County’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. I had the privilege of testifying on behalf of the 35,000 people Interfaith Works serves annually about the growing needs our community faces and what we are doing to help.  

During the public comment process, many people connected to the IW community also shared their insights and experiences. Employees, volunteers, Board members, and clients provided their thoughts about the challenges facing our neighbors. I am grateful to be part of a community that allows people to share openly their concerns and priorities. One of the Montgomery County residents expressing her truth was Sheena, who participates in the IW Vocational Services Program. She wrote of her experience as a single mom who, after losing her job, was forced to access the County’s shelter system.  She reflected on how difficult that time was for her family and how much she depended on programs like those provided by IW. Sheena has since secured employment through the Vocational Services Program and is now on a path to greater stability. She urged the County Council to do more so that residents like her have access to affordable housing and can live and work more comfortably in Montgomery County.  

Sheena’s firsthand account offered an eye-opening perspective into the harsh realities that too many of our neighbors endure every day. Advocacy is most effective when it is a conduit for those who can best educate us about their circumstances and what will help to improve their situations. We should not decide how to allocate resources to help our neighbors in need without also ensuring that those voices are represented at the table.  

As we continue to advocate for and support our community, we must not forget that the most vital voices belong to those living these realities firsthand. We are thankful for your continued partnership as we continue to elevate the voices of those we are privileged to serve. As Governor Wes Moore says, “We must uplift the voices of those struggling to make ends meet, for their resilience and perspectives will guide us towards a more equitable society.” 

Courtney Hall, CEO