I sometimes wish that all of the people in our county could see and hear what I see and hear in a typical week on this job. I suspect that most would be shocked by the volume of compassion and collective action coming from every corner of this county, and they’d be inspired to step up and contribute.
I suppose that’s why I write these weekly letters, so come along.
It’s National Apprenticeship Week, and on Wednesday I was at Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation’s first annual Apprenticeship Awards Breakfast. It recognized businesses and county agencies that had hired Youth Apprentices and Registered Apprentices of all ages, because the State of Maryland has set some very ambitious goals, and we’re trying hard to meet them.
On Monday, I visited the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) training facility in Laurel and met four Anne Arundel high school seniors who get up at 5am four mornings per week to work as electricians, take classes at the IEC facility on the fifth morning, and do high school classes every afternoon. These four young men shared some of the challenges they were facing, but it was very clear to me that they were committed to their goals and were happy to put in the hard work. If they stick with it, they’ll not only be paid well for the next four years, but they’ll come out as certified journeyworker electricians. I hope they stay in our county, because we need them.
Last Thursday and Friday, I was at the Maryland Association of Counties (MACO) Board retreat, and the most inspiring of our sessions was with leaders of Maryland Workforce Development Boards, the organization representing county workforce agencies. We talked about meeting state apprenticeship goals, and about the Career Coaching that they are doing in middle and high schools as part of the Blueprint. I wasn't surprised to learn that Anne Arundel is a state leader in getting that program launched.
I know that many of you fear that our current and future American workforce is poorly educated and uninspired, but that’s not the whole story. We have challenges, just like those four future electricians have challenges, but the national, state, and county focus on apprenticeship programs is a strong ray of hope. It’s a return to how things were done long before we had our great institutions of higher learning, and it’s inspiring students. Happy National Apprenticeship Week.
Last Friday evening, I attended Center of Help’s graduation ceremony at the Michael E. Busch Library in Annapolis. Immigrants from all over the world were recognized for achieving United States citizenship, literacy, and English language proficiency. Meeting so many brave students of all ages and backgrounds from all over the world was inspiring, and celebrating the organization’s 25th year of service was especially gratifying for me. “El Centro" stepped up during COVID in a big way, but had to scale back operations when federal funds ended. Private donors are starting to fill the gap, and we are all benefiting. Check them out.
On Tuesday morning, we did a press conference announcing that our county would be assessed over the next ten months for Certified Welcoming designation by Welcoming America. We will learn how we measure up in our efforts to welcome and engage immigrants in our communities. I told the press in no uncertain terms that this effort was not about the border, not about ICE, and not about the election. It is about effective government, economic competitiveness, and embracing our neighbors.
The Capital Gazette covered the event accurately and fairly, but we did receive some angry emails and calls. That’s to be expected after what people have heard in recent years from politicians who dehumanize immigrants. Having our Police Chief, our teachers union president, our Caucus of African American Leaders Convenor, and so many other community organizations and county agencies present made clear that we are a welcoming county. As county government, we will continue to do what we’ve always done. We will serve our residents. All of them.
There were other highlights this week, like hearing from about fifty nonprofit and government providers at the Overdose Prevention Team Meeting at the Department of Health. They know they’ve made progress, but are evaluating the data and aggressively exploring new ways to reach more people for both prevention and recovery. It’s personal for all of them, and all of us.
On Wednesday evening, I joined our Interfaith Advisory Council in an exploration of how they as a group of faith leaders can best serve county residents. Is it weighing in on legislation? Advising me? Networking across faiths with one another? Sharing county programs and services with their congregations?
I ran a tough one by them. How would they feel about convening people who feel politically estranged from one another, to help them reconnect as human beings who share faith? I also asked whether conservative evangelical congregations were adequately represented, or whether we needed to increase that representation on the Council.
I won’t share all their answers here, but will say that I walked out of the meeting wiser than when I entered, and also more spiritually complete.
What would you like to see our Interfaith Advisory Council do?
And finally, there was a gathering at the Arundel Center this week, hosted by the County Council, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the County Charter. That document established separate legislative and administrative functions, creating the office of County Executive and the County Council.
It was a brief ceremony with short speeches by Council Chair Pickard and myself, but it was meaningful. A bunch of former council members and three former county executives were there, and their presence offered the comfort of being among others who have stood in our shoes, who have lived through similar battles, and emerged on the other side with a smile and a chuckle. They’ll all tell you that what seemed so urgent and clear at the time was far less so in retrospect.
Or as we’ve heard from so many old-timers, “Things have a way of working out.”
My response, of course, is, “Yes. Because you made them work out!”
So that’s what we’ll do.
Until next week…