We’ve had an exciting month and would like to share a recap with you. Here are some updates from our campaigns and what we’ve accomplished this month.
Turnaround Thursday Anniversary
Anne Arundel County’s Turnaround Thursday Movement is celebrating its first anniversary! Turnaround Thursday launched (publicly) on March 2, 2023. This “second chance job movement” is empowering those recently released from incarceration, the underemployed, and unemployed with the skills needed to secure and maintain employment leading to lifelong careers. Over 30 participants obtained good jobs in the first year, mostly at Luminus Health.
Turnaround Thursday participants at the Maryland State House.
On March 14, Turnaround participants met with Delegate Sandy Bartlett’s office to advocate for tenants’ rights policies. Turnaround’s presence and stories had an impact, and they hope to meet with the delegate again after the legislative session to collaborate on criminal justice reform policies.
Turnaround is seeking new participants and employer partners. If you are interested in participating in the program to find employment, please contact Roxanne McGowen at rmcgowan@aaccaa.org. If you are interested in becoming an employer partner, contact Josh Hatch at jhatch@aaccaa.org. Also, stay tuned for a birthday celebration for Turnaround this spring!
Attainable Housing Actions
Our Attainable Housing team is taking action this spring to support the passage of a new countywide housing bill. Many of you were with us through the fall as we worked to support the Essential Worker Housing Bill. We were deeply disappointed when the bill failed, but we know we’ve built the momentum to ensure that a better bill passes this spring. We’re supporting a new MPDU (Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit) bill that would set aside a percentage of new units to be affordable.
In the past month, we held a series of 3 housing educational sessions, culminating in the finale on March 21st, which nearly 60 people attended. We left the sessions with an understanding of the political action needed and energy for our next big action in April.
We are now gearing up for a 200-person Housing for All Action on Tuesday, April 30th from 7-8:30 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis. We’re assembling to build momentum for a new MPDU bill and to work with our allies on the council to ensure it passes. We’re also lifting up other strategies for achieving affordable housing and stability for renters.
Statewide Campaign
Our Statewide Advocacy Day on February 21st.
This year along with our sister organizations in Maryland, we’re advocating for statewide legislation on climate justice, affordable housing, and tenants’ rights. The 4 bills we support stem from the experiences of our community members facing unfair evictions, inadequate living conditions, and unattainable housing prices.
So far, ACT members have attended a statewide advocacy day on February 21st and one for Turnaround participants on March 14th, and we’ve also emailed our legislators. All of the bills we support have made it to the opposite chamber of the Maryland legislature. We are keeping up the pressure through emails and another advocacy day on April 4th before the session ends on April 8th. To learn more about our statewide campaign, go to our campaign page:
Education & Mental Health Team
Our Education and Mental Health issue action teams have now merged! If you would like to participate
on this team, please contact Katie Zinler: katie@actaaco.org.