July 8, 2019

Media Contact: 
Scott L. Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412

COLUMBIA – On Tuesday, July 9th, Howard County and the Office of Community Partnerships will honor the graduates of the “Getting Ahead” program, and will present five local businesses with a 2019 “HIRE Power” Award. The ceremony will honor work to alleviate poverty and support local job growth, and will be held at the Sheraton Columbia Town Center Hotel. 

“In Howard County, we are fortunate to live in a community with a strong economy and high levels of affluence. Unfortunately, this can sometimes obscure the urgent needs of our neighbors struggling to get by,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “Though our rate of poverty hovers around 5 percent, a 2018 report estimated that one-in-four Howard County households actually made less than they need to afford basic needs. Our ‘Getting Ahead’ program is about empowering people to create bridges out of poverty, while also helping to change the culture of poverty in our community. We will honor these incredible graduates for their inspiring work to make Howard County a better place not just for their own families, but for all of us. Our ‘HIRE Power’ awards honored five local businesses who have joined this work to improve community outreach and create jobs right here in our community.”

The “Getting Ahead” program helps individuals in poverty build resources for a more prosperous life for themselves, their families, and their communities. The awards program will honor county residents who have successfully achieved their goal of attaining economic self-sufficiency and helped others do the same.

The “HIRE Power” Awards are presented annually to county businesses that promote programs and practices to develop the local workforce through innovative job support, inclusive hiring strategies and community outreach efforts. The 2019 awards will be presented to Elite Spice, Freshly, Main Event, the Deepage Drive Starbucks, and Metro Laundry Service.

WHAT:           
Ceremony to honor graduates of “Getting Ahead” program and present “HIRE Power” awards to businesses that promote local job support

WHEN:           
Tuesday July 9, 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.

WHERE:        
Sheraton Columbia Town Center Hotel, 10207 Wincopin Circle, Columbia

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