Community Action Agency Celebrates Its First Graduates From Advocacy Program (PHOTOS)
The first graduating class from the Montgomery County Community Action Board’s Leadership Development Institute (LDI) was recognized during a special ceremony on Wednesday evening at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring.
Back in October, the Community Action Board recruited 16 residents late last year to participate in its new program dedicated to public advocacy.
“This is an advocacy training program for low and moderate income residents that teaches them basic advocacy skills to advocate in their community,” said Leah Goldfine, program manager, for the Montgomery County Community Action Agency.
Over the last six months, participants attended monthly sessions on advocacy training, the legislation process, working effectively with policy makers, personal story telling for results and how to write testimony and letters of support.
At the end of their training, graduates had the opportunity to put their training to the test with an opportunity to testify in front of the Council at the budget hearings back in April.
“This is important because we need a wider assortment of voices in the political process and to hear from people of all backgrounds and all aspects of life to advocate for the needs of their communities,” Goldfine said.
The Community Action Board is the County’s federally designated anti-poverty group. The Board serves in an advisory role to the County Executive and the County Council, and as an advocate for residents with low income.
Engage us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Tweets by @mymcmedia