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MCAP hosts Annual Advocacy Day Luncheon 2026

MCAP hosts Annual Advocacy Day Luncheon 2026

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 The Maryland Community Action Partnership hosted its annual Advocacy Day luncheon on Thursday, Feb. 5, bringing together state leaders, legislators and community advocates to address 2026 priorities.

Held at Acqua Al 2 in downtown , the event marked the launch of the association’s campaign for additional state funding to support Maryland’s lower-income families.

Maryland Department of and Community Development Secretary Jake Day served as the event’s keynote speaker. He delivered remarks to an audience of state legislators and MCAP members representing 19 Community Action Agencies that serve Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Delaware.

A central theme of the event was the urgent need for sustained and increased funding to support CAAs as Maryland residents experience ongoing financial challenges.

Representatives discussed how CAAs fill essential gaps in services as threats to assistance programs like , LIHEAP and housing supports persist.

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Montgomery County Community Action Agency staff members (from left): Office Services Coordinator Diana Preston, Executive Director Shantá Johnson, Manager Leah Goldfine, Navigator Rodolfo Nogales, Manager Monica Rivera-Goldberg, Manager Maureen Larenas, Board Member Erika Conner, MCAP Executive Director Angela Martin, Board Chair DaVida Rowley, Board Vice Chair Timothy Robinson, Manager Tarcila Lopes-Burkhardt, Human Services Specialist Victoria Hall and Community Services Aide Birtucan Assres. (MCAP/Community Action Council of Howard County/Montgomery County Community Action Agency)
Montgomery County Community Action Agency staff members (from left): Office Services Coordinator Diana Preston, Executive Director Shantá Johnson, Manager Leah Goldfine, Navigator Rodolfo Nogales, Manager Monica Rivera-Goldberg, Manager Maureen Larenas, Board Member Erika Conner, MCAP Executive Director Angela Martin, Board Chair DaVida Rowley, Board Vice Chair Timothy Robinson, Manager Tarcila Lopes-Burkhardt, Human Services Specialist Victoria Hall and Community Services Aide Birtucan Assres. (MCAP/Community Action Council of /Montgomery County Community Action Agency)
Montgomery County Community Action Agency staff members (from left): Community Services Aide Birtucan Assres, Board Member Erika Conner, Executive Director Shantá Johnson, Board Vice Chair Timothy Robinson, Manager Leah Goldfine, Manager Monica Rivera-Goldberg, Manager Tarcila Lopes-Burkhardt and Human Services Specialist Victoria Hall. (MCAP/Community Action Council of Howard County/Montgomery County Community Action Agency)
Montgomery County Community Action Agency staff members (from left): Community Services Aide Birtucan Assres, Board Member Erika Conner, Executive Director Shantá Johnson, Board Vice Chair Timothy Robinson, Manager Leah Goldfine, Manager Monica Rivera-Goldberg, Manager Tarcila Lopes-Burkhardt and Human Services Specialist Victoria Hall. (MCAP/Community Action Council of Howard County/Montgomery County Community Action Agency)
Heather Mizeur, Director of Communications for Maryland House Speaker Josephine A. Peña-Melnyk, emphasized Speaker Peña-Melnyk's strong, ongoing commitment to partnering with CAAs, recognizing them as trusted, on-the-ground leaders, and reaffirmed a shared focus on advancing practical, people-centered solutions that strengthen families, stabilize communities and expand opportunity across the state. (MCAP/Community Action Council of Howard County/Montgomery County Community Action Agency)
Heather Mizeur, Director of Communications for Maryland House Speaker Josephine A. Peña-Melnyk, emphasized Speaker Peña-Melnyk’s strong, ongoing commitment to partnering with CAAs, recognizing them as trusted, on-the-ground leaders, and reaffirmed a shared focus on advancing practical, people-centered solutions that strengthen families, stabilize communities and expand opportunity across the state. (MCAP/Community Action Council of Howard County/Montgomery County Community Action Agency)
Angela Martin, executive director of MCAP (left), and Rigel Moore, Director, Maryland Department of Human Services Office of Home Energy Programs. (MCAP/Community Action Council of Howard County/Montgomery County Community Action Agency)
Angela Martin, executive director of MCAP (left), and Rigel Moore, Director, Maryland Department of Human Services Office of Home Energy Programs. (MCAP/Community Action Council of Howard County/Montgomery County Community Action Agency)
From left, Tracey Broccolino, Maryland Community Action Partnership board chair; Maryland Housing & Community Development Secretary Jacob R. Day; and Angela Martin, Maryland Community Action Partnership executive director. (MCAP/Community Action Council of Howard County/Montgomery County Community Action Agency)
From left, Tracey Broccolino, board chair; Maryland Housing & Community Development Secretary Jacob R. Day; and Angela Martin, Maryland Community Action Partnership executive director. (MCAP/Community Action Council of Howard County/Montgomery County Community Action Agency)
A community resident shared how Anne Arundel Community Action Agency helped him to transform his life from inmate to small business owner with food assistance, job readiness training, housing support and more. (MCAP/Community Action Council of Howard County/Montgomery County Community Action Agency)
A community resident shared how Anne Arundel Community Action Agency helped him to transform his life from inmate to owner with food assistance, job readiness training, housing support and more. (MCAP/Community Action Council of Howard County/Montgomery County Community Action Agency)
A community resident shared how Anne Arundel Community Action Agency supported her in finding employment and housing, among other services, enabling her to transition from incarceration to a more responsible and independent life. (MCAP/Community Action Council of Howard County/Montgomery County Community Action Agency)
A community resident shared how Anne Arundel Community Action Agency supported her in finding employment and housing, among other services, enabling her to transition from incarceration to a more responsible and independent life. (MCAP/Community Action Council of Howard County/Montgomery County Community Action Agency)
More than 115 attendees gathered for the Maryland Community Action Partnership's Advocacy Day luncheon. (MCAP/Community Action Council of Howard County/Montgomery County Community Action Agency)
More than 115 attendees gathered for the Maryland Community Action Partnership’s Advocacy Day luncheon. (MCAP/Community Action Council of Howard County/Montgomery County Community Action Agency)