Relive our Poverty-themed conference at Washington College, honor the veterans serving on our advisory boards, and join us in welcoming Renita Alexander and Ed Hinde to the MASSB Executive Team.
Greetings, everyone. The 2024 MASSB Annual Conference at Washington College empowered attendees with insights into tackling poverty-related challenges — like food insecurity, housing instability, and youth opportunities — while offering practical strategies for making a tangible difference in our communities. We invited experts and shared impactful experiences that offer a wide range of practical applications. The Poverty Simulation helped participants gain a profound understanding of the realities many families face, equipping us to approach our volunteer efforts with empathy and effectiveness.
Celebrating our boards' achievements through the Lifting Lives Awards highlighted the powerful impact that dedicated individuals and groups can have on vulnerable populations. As we carry the conference momentum forward and prepare for next year's conference in Howard County, let us always remember that the best way to make a lasting difference is to volunteer with purpose and compassion. By embracing this, we can continue building stronger, more supportive communities for all.
Best,
Tony
In recognition of Veteran's Day, we are grateful to the Veterans serving on our Advisory Boards, including:
Andree Mountain, United States Army (Harford County)
Dawn Wright, United States Army (Kent County)
Kerwin Wilson, United States Air Force (Charles County)
Lysmariam Valladares-Pena, United States Air Force (Frederick County)
R. Lamont Goodson, United States Army (Dorchester County)
Renita Alexander, United States Army Reserves (Calvert County)
Sean Thomas, United States Navy (Howard County)
Timothy Butka, United States Army (Baltimore County)
Thank you for your service!
Thank you to the speakers, panelists and attendees who made our annual conference a resounding success. With the theme "Poverty," attendees learned from experts on food insecurity, housing and providing opportunities for youth. We celebrated the great work of our boards with the Lifting Lives Awards, and reviewed best practices to elevate the effectiveness of our boards. Conference materials are available on the MASSB Foundation website.
We also experienced first hand the impact of poverty on families by participating in The Cost of Poverty Experience (COPE), an interactive simulation that highlights the lived realities and human impact of poverty. Our experience was beautifully captured in a poem by MASSB Secretary and Anne Arundel County Board Member, Shawn Ashworth.
Written by Shawn W. Ashworth, Ed.D. — MASSB Secretary
Poverty is lack of resources, lack of opportunities, hunger, and a lack of predictability. It's a feeling of hopelessness, lack of choices, system barriers and pervasiveness. Poverty impacts mental, and physical health, families suffer from headaches, sweaty palms, anxiety, all because they struggle to maintain and sustain wealth.
Since 1975, across the United States, we have not seen a change in the data, however, overall numbers of adults and children seem to be increasing greater. Data is important but does not capture the true story, the reality for many families is quite gloomy.
A human story that involves health, education, and housing inequity, and an increase in food insecurity. We also see high rates of incarceration, unemployment, and a wealth gap — poverty exists all over the map.
Those closest to the problem are closest to the solution. We have to be good listeners, and help families believe that they are capable of success with no exceptions. Experiencing the COPE Assimilation was an opportunity to get closer to the realities of how families struggle in our local communities.
Read the Full PoemMASSB would like to introduce the newest members of our Executive Team, Renita Alexander and Ed Hinde. Renita and Ed bring a wealth of experience and passion for our mission, and will be instrumental in our ongoing work to grow our organization.
Renita Alexander, MASSB Vice President
Dr. Renita Alexander is a distinguished educational leader, community advocate, and faith-based servant residing in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. With over 30 years of experience in education, including nearly two decades as an elementary school principal in Prince George's County Public Schools, Dr. Alexander brings a wealth of expertise to her roles.
Ed Hinde, MASSB Treasurer and Foundation Trustee
Ed's professional career has spanned a spectrum of roles for start-up and early-stage development organizations including strategy and product development for a leading international food & beverage company, special projects for PepsiCo International, market research for Abbott Labs, and the creation and executive management of a leading homeless youth services nonprofit, SHIP of Frederick County.
Read Full BiosDeveloping or revitalizing a nonprofit board can be hard! Experienced MASSB members are available for training or coaching sessions. We are all volunteers, so help is free of charge. Reasonable funding for training offered by other organizations such as Maryland Nonprofits is also available. Please e-mail massbftrustee@gmail.com.
