Bridge Maryland, Inc., a 501(c)(3) Organization
PO Box: 3608 Offutt, Unit 162, Randallstown, MD 21133
Bridge Maryland Building Community
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In June of 2023, BRIDGE Maryland Inc. voted to strengthen our Housing Task Force. We would organize directly impacted people to address issues in public housing.
OUR VISION: Reduce the state’s 30,000 human being housing wait list down to zero persons by digitizing the housing voucher application and recertification process through the creation of a Hub. The digitized Hub would mimic system operating under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
OUR ISSUE: Section 8 public housing has been replaced by the Housing Voucher Program, but accessibility issues persist. In the Voucher Program a prospective tenant can find the property of choice as long as the tenant meets the eligibility requirements, and the property choice meets the HUD standard. There are a limited number of tenant-based vouchers issued, which is an issue itself. But even those who have vouchers for housing find that the onerous annual voucher paper certification process can catapult low-income families into homelessness and makes it difficult for families to remain housed.
WHY WE CARE: For centuries, racist practices and policies have meant low-income people of color have suffered the most harm from an inequitable housing system. Federal, state and local government agencies have played a crucial role in restricting people of color’s access to affordable housing. Now, nationwide, 65% of voucher holders in metropolitan areas are Black or Hispanic (M Report Publication).
BRIDGE MARYLAND INCORPORATED is outraged about the exacting, challenging process of voucher recertification for vulnerable families. Each year, voucher recipients must complete a volume of paperwork, including providing documents that are often difficult to produce without mistakes, or face the risk of being evicted.
In June of 2023, BRIDGE Maryland Inc. voted to create a Task Force to address the gaps in programming for young people, ages 13-18, which build their leadership and civic skills and keep them from harmful involvement with the justice system.
OUR VISION: Empower and equip youth with tools to be consistent and constructive voices within their communities.
OUR ISSUE: (from Essence Gross, youth leader from Wayland Baptist Church)
“As a 13-year-old, I see firsthand the negative impact of not having youth programs. Youth don’t feel important. We stay to ourselves or get caught up in negative behavior. When we do these things, adults label and criticize us. This is a crisis! We need help; we need positive programs to help us be engaged, develop healthy friendships and learn better study habits.”
WHY WE CARE: “I represent many youth of Maryland who are talented and intelligent. We need resources and platforms to become who God created us to be. Jesus was a youth when he began his ministry. He met opposition but never gave up. Neither will “we”! You have children or grandchildren or a young person who means a lot to you. Wouldn’t you want them to benefit from positive youth programs?”
WHAT WE ARE DOING ABOUT IT: We are engaging youth ages 13-18 years old through 1:1’s and group sessions, to understand their concerns, wants, needs, and ideas and hold spaces for youth to hear each other. Youth leaders, adult allies, and community members then work together to influence public policies to address the concerns, needs, wants, and goals of youth.
Recent Task Force meetings with youth leadership have focused on
Transportation to and from programs (buses are free during the school year, but not on weekends or during vacation months)
How can adults, especially parents, be allies to youth leadership
“Youth listen to other youth” – we need more youth to lead!
What we need adult allies to do:
To advertise all positive youth programming events with reminders
To encourage youth ages 13-18 years old to attend our events
After receiving guardian permission, initiate one to one conversation with youth or hold group listening sessions for youth within your church or community
Financially support events that require materials and food
What we Plan to Do:
We continue to meet with youth – our goal is to reach 75 youth and develop at least 15 youth leaders in the next year. Youth leaders will lead the way forward, working with other youth, community organizations, and adults to identify and address the gaps in youth programming.
OUR VISION: All Marylanders should have access to healthy living conditions, regardless of their income or place of residence. Upgrading water and water treatment systems would be a step toward environmental justice.
OUR ISSUE: In Ridgely, MD, the water and water waste systems are failing or failed. The system was built in the 1930’s. Now, it discharges untreated or incompletely treated sewage or septic tank effluent directly onto the ground surface or into public waters, creating a public health hazard. This situation has been verified by Ridgely’s own comprehensive plan, a plan that also recommended annexation to Ridgely for the affected area and priority funding. Still, nothing has been done to remedy this dangerous situation. As the waste system fails, sewage runs over into the affordable housing area and affects the entire population living in those apartments.
WHY WE CARE: These health concerns are being ignored by both the city of Ridgely and Caroline County. It appears that predominantly white areas get attention to health concerns and a predominantly black community does not. All people deserve safe living environments and a voice in how public money is spent.
WHAT WE ARE DOING ABOUT IT: Our BMI Organizer, Hannah Freeman, several leaders and local residents did meet with David Crist, Director of Public Works. They presented their concerns about the quality of the water in Trinity/Boonsboro.
Task force members attended a Ridgley Maryland Town Hall meeting. There was a specific comment from town management that “there was nothing wrong with the water quality,” despite evidence to the contrary. We helped the affected residents to form a Neighborhood Community Association which plans to meet regularly.
Soon, we shall get the water re-tested by an independent consultant. We will be paying for this testing.
Our members will show up at any activities that the Commissioners and the Director of Public Works of Ridgely plan to attend, including the monthly Town Hall meeting.
We will introduce ourselves and Bridge Maryland and remind them of our concerns about the water quality. We plan to continue engaging with members of the community. If you are interested in working with us, please contact us at communications@bridgemd.org
PO Box: 3608 Offutt, Unit 162
Randallstown, MD 21133
Phone: 443-240-3511
Email: info@bridgemd.org