Community Action Council

During the county furlough week, Dec. 28-31, the Community Action Council of Howard County will move its operations to Dasher Green Head Start Center, 6680 Cradlerock Way in Columbia, and the North Laurel-Savage Multiservice Center, 9105 All Saints Road in Laurel. Call 410-313-6440 for more information.

A lush garden erupting with organic vegetables, food displays that rival an upscale grocer's and sleek weatherization projects that slash energy bills — these may not seem like the typical projects of an agency that aids the poor. Yet these concepts are the reason the Community Action Council was honored by the county Tuesday with the first human-rights award it had ever given to an organization. CAC, a longtime county nonprofit, aims to blend its assistance to low-income residents with top-flight customer service, organizers say. This approach was launched when Bita Dayhoff took the helm in October 2009, and she is credited with making sure this philosophy has expanded and been imparted to all employees.

A lush garden erupting with organic vegetables, food displays that rival an upscale grocer's and sleek weatherization projects that slash energy bills — these may not seem like the typical projects of an agency that aids the poor. Yet these concepts are the reason the Community Action Council was honored by the county Tuesday with the first human-rights award it had ever given to an organization. CAC, a longtime county nonprofit, aims to blend its assistance to low-income residents with top-flight customer service, organizers say. This approach was launched when Bita Dayhoff took the helm in October 2009, and she is credited with making sure this philosophy has expanded and been imparted to all employees.

New York Air National Guard 2nd Lt. Bryan Haynes , of Columbia, has been awarded the New York State Humane Service Medal for service in New York's response to Hurricane Irene. The award recognizes service in response to members of New York's Organized Militia who distinguished themselves by sustained meritorious service in a humane operation as a result of a natural disaster, such as floods, snow storms, hurricanes, tornados and acts of mercy during State Active Duty service at the direction of the governor.

Dorothy L. Moore, a feisty, passionate advocate for Howard County's poor over a 36-year career, will retire as director of the county's anti-poverty agency March 31, she said yesterday. "The lady's a legend," said County Executive James N. Robey, another career public servant and Howard County native. "She is ruthless when it comes to serving her customers, her clients. She's one of the strongest advocates I've ever seen for any cause." Retirement is a move the 18-year Community Action Council director has thought about for several years, and one she has frequently put off. But no more, she said.

During the county furlough week, Monday through Thursday, the Community Action Council of Howard County will move its operations to Dasher Green Head Start Center, 6680 Cradlerock Way in Columbia, and the North Laurel-Savage Multiservice Center, 9105 All Saints Road in Laurel. Call 410-313-6440 for more information.

The Community Action Council of Howard County held elections at its May meeting. The board elected the following officers to a one-year term: Natalie Janiszewski, chair; Dr. Edward Motschiedler, vice chair; Robert Biagiotti, secretary; and Francisco Ramirez, treasurer. The officers' new term begins July 1.

Grants of $65 to help with utility bills are available for those ages 62 and older, and disabled people in Howard County, through the Community Action Council. People in those categories who are receiving money from the Maryland Energy Assistance Program automatically are being enrolled by Community Action Council staff . Those not receiving aid, but who are eligible for help under that program, will qualify for the supplemental $65 from Howard County, according to agency director James B. Smith.

Members of the Community Action Council of Howard County will distribute free food to eligible county residents at the National Guard Armory in Ellicott City on June 9.The Columbia-based Community Action Council, a nonprofit agency that helps low-income people, expects 1,200 families and individuals at the food giveaway, which is held each year in March, June, September and December.The U.S. Department of Agriculture supplies the food to the county. More than 15 years ago, the county designated the Community Action Council the distributor.

Black ministers and a county social service agency expect a new program to assist up to 60 young black men in the next year who authorities say need guidance to keep out of trouble.Called Men Equipped to Achieve (META), the program was officially inaugurated Saturday at a prayer breakfast attended by about 50 local and state government officials, judges, county police and program participants."We really needed this a long time ago," said Guilford resident Troy Wise, 25, a participant who sang the "Lord's Prayer" during the breakfast.

The Howard County Office of Workforce Development and the Community Action Council will host a Job and Community Resource Fair, on Nov. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the North Laurel-Savage Multi-Service Center, 9900 Washington Blvd., in Laurel. Attendees should come dressed for success with a resume for on-the-spot interviews. Also available will be resume critiques, interviewing assistance, employment counseling and career explorations.

David Weeks from Glenelg Country School and the Howard County Arts Council will be honored at the Community Action Council of Howard County's 16th annual Holland Awards Dinner on Oct. 19 at Turf Valley Country Club. The event is named in honor of the late Rev. John W. Holland who worked to ensure human rights for all people by seeking solutions to problems and obstacles confronting the disadvantaged. David Weeks from Glenelg Country School will receive the Humanitarian Award.

The Arc of Howard County presented its Celebration of Excellence awards to organizations and individuals distinguished by their efforts to include people with developmental disabilities in their activities and otherwise support the agency's mission. Board member Vincent Grauso was presented the President's Award for 2011 for his leadership in chairing the Monitoring and Advisory Committee and helping ensure the high quality of The Arc's services to individuals with developmental disabilities.

The Community Action Council of Howard County held elections at its May meeting. The board elected the following officers to a one-year term: Natalie Janiszewski, chair; Dr. Edward Motschiedler, vice chair; Robert Biagiotti, secretary; and Francisco Ramirez, treasurer. The officers' new term begins July 1.

The best thing in today's world is that our kids no longer wait till they are adults to get involved when they see a need. North Laurel resident Joshua Driesman has lost two members of his extended family to leukemia. He is not 18 yet, so he cannot donate but that is not stopping Joshua. He is holding a bone marrow donor drive Wednesday, June 8 at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab from 4 to 6 p.m. so that he can try and help others fighting this terrible disease. Have you ever thought of signing up to be a donor?

"Pieces as Prayers: Kolam and Kaleidoscope Quilts" opens Fri., June 3, Himmefarb Gallery, Tai Sophia Institute 7750 Montpelier Road. Art quilts are by Gaithersburg artist Lauren Kingsland. Symmetry and reflection speak to our fundamental yearning for balance and order in ourselves and in the world. Kingsland's quilts explore the beauty of this balance through the Indian Kolam tradition and the magic of peeking into a kaleidoscope. Show runs through Aug. 27. Artist recepton June 15, 5-8 p.m. Gallery hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. 410-888-9048.

The Howard County Office of Workforce Development and the Community Action Council will host a Job and Community Resource Fair, on Nov. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the North Laurel-Savage Multi-Service Center, 9900 Washington Blvd., in Laurel. Attendees should come dressed for success with a resume for on-the-spot interviews. Also available will be resume critiques, interviewing assistance, employment counseling and career explorations.

The best thing in today's world is that our kids no longer wait till they are adults to get involved when they see a need. North Laurel resident Joshua Driesman has lost two members of his extended family to leukemia. He is not 18 yet, so he cannot donate, but that is not stopping Joshua. He is holding a bone marrow donor drive Wednesday, June 8 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab so that he can try and help others fighting this terrible disease.

The Columbia Foundation increased the amount of grant money given to human service nonprofits this year in an effort to serve the greater number of people who need help because of the recession. The foundation, founded in 1969, boosted grants by $45,000 this year to groups such as Chase Brexton Health Services, which provides medical and dental help to the uninsured, as well as the Community Action Council and the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center. Seventeen human services groups received $140,000 of the $205,700 in grants distributed this year, the foundation said.