Resilience in the Face of Challenge - A Letter from the CEO

Dear Friend,

There is a lot of uncertainty about the road ahead, but one thing is clear: the needs in our community are rising.

Even before the most recent federal policy changes and funding cuts, Montgomery County was already seeing dramatic increases in homelessness. This year alone, 1,510 people were counted as experiencing homelessness, a 32% increase from last year, and a 162% increase over the past five years.

Some of our shelter residents feel stuck without the resources to move toward independence, especially as our community’s safety net is beginning to break, with many of its supports being rescinded.

The nonprofit and social service sector is being tested from all sides. Families are struggling to maintain housing and benefits, small businesses are tightening their payrolls, and government systems that once provided stability are now stretched thin. Meanwhile, the toll on nonprofit staff, who are navigating stagnant wages, rising costs, and direct attacks on the very values of equity and inclusion, cannot be ignored. And yet, there are signs of hope: collaboration is showing us a way forward.

Through job fairs created with the County and local partners, IW has connected hundreds of job seekers experiencing homelessness with employers and resources. Through the Better Health Coalition, we are working alongside trusted organizations to integrate medical care, peer support, and data-driven solutions to improve health outcomes. And through the ENOUGH program, Gov. Wes Moore’s signature initiative to reduce childhood poverty, IW is partnering with schools and community organizations to bring services directly into the Long Branch neighborhood in Silver Spring.  These efforts demonstrate what is possible when nonprofits, government, philanthropy, and community members come together.

As we brace for what many expect will be an “explosion of need” in the coming months, we must remain unified in our common goal: supporting our neighbors. That unity depends on you. Your generosity helps sustain our work and strengthens the entire ecosystem of care. Your time and energy as a volunteer bring comfort and dignity to people who need it most. And your willingness to support both our programs and those of other organizations ensures that resilience is shared across the community.

Together, we can meet this difficult moment. Thank you for standing with us, for believing in collaboration, and for investing in a stronger, more resilient Montgomery County.

Courtney Hall, CEO