Moving Dorchester Forward Releases Neighborhood Action Plan
DORCHESTER COUNTY, Md. – A non-profit is focused on helping push the county in a positive way. ‘Moving Dorchester Forward’ has completed its Cambridge Neighborhood Action Plan.
Nancy Shockley, the Executive Director, explains what the group is focused on. “As a management board, 3 specific areas: family and community engagement, educational equity, and job training.”
The three-year plan developed through hundreds of discussions with residents. The topics residents focus on are housing, childcare, and neighborhood safety.
It’s part of Governor Wes Moore’s ENOUGH Initiative to combat childhood poverty.
Veronica Taylor, Community Engagement Coordinator, explains what it means: “The ENOUGH Initiative is about ending childhood poverty. And we believe it starts at home with the adults, so we can get a better understanding of what they need, so the cycle can end, and their children can have a better future.”
According to MDF officials, they act as the bridge between different community partners. They work with groups like Dream Big Academy, Midshore Meals til Monday, and The Salvation Army.
Taylor tells WMDT, collaboration is vital.”I can’t help you make changes if you are not part of the change. So, everybody has to take a role in making sure we start doing things to see the change together as a body.”
Shockley believes the same. She said partnership is how Dorchester County residents will thrive in the long-term. “The whole idea is that we engage the community in bridging the gaps and bring all the partners together in improving those outcomes.”
Residents say the top concern is poverty. Dorchester County has the lowest median household income. With the highest adult and child poverty rates among neighboring counties.
MDF plans to fix this issue by surveying local employers to identify skills and training needed. They will analyze current labor market trends. Officials will also engage the private sector as workforce partners.
There are several goals the group intends to build a better quality of life.
To read the 20-page document, Moving Dorchester Forward has the plan linked here.
