Maryland Rural Development Corporation

Winter 2002 Newsletter

Volume 1, Number 1

Greetings

It is my pleasure to present to you the Inaugural issue of the Maryland Rural Development Corporation quarterly newsletter.

The purpose of this publication is to spread the word of MRDC's services to rural Maryland. Each issue will highlight programs, our dedicated staff, and board of directors as well as MRDC's comprehensive approach to rural issues. Your feedback on how this newsletter can best serve you as our partner in assisting low-income persons and communities is requested and appreciated.

On behalf of the board of directors, I invite you to learn more about MRDC's services and impact upon low-income families and communities throughout our service region. MRDC's programs mission works to enable and empower individuals, families, and communities to achieve the highest level of economic independence and sustainability. Your support, volunteerism, and donations are gratefully accepted and will help us help others.

Head Start, homeownership counseling, rental assistance, transportation assistance, and community development services are the basis for MRDC's community building strategies. By building strong families and communities, we work toward a future that is open to all, enjoying and sharing in the riches of living in this great state and nation.

Regards,
Clarence A. Hawkins, President
MRDC Board of Directors

New Classroom And Expansion Ahead For MRDC’s Head Start

There's expansion in the air this year for the Maryland Rural Development Corporation's Head Start programs.

Thanks to new supplemental federal funding support, MRDC will open its new Head Start center for 21 children in Edgewood, MD, in Harford County.

MRDC now operates three Head Start centers in Harford County. This brings the total number of children served to 447 in eight MRDC Head Start centers.

The new classroom opened its doors in January 2002 to provide a full day, single session (six hours) of Head Start services for Edgewood youngsters.

The Harford County expansion was made possible when the two classrooms needed for full day services became available through a partnership with the Boys/Girls Clubs and the Edgewood YMCA.

Unlike other MRDC Head Start programs, the new Edgewood facility will not provide transportation services, MRDC Head Start Director Vergie Benton says, because the new program is geared to help working parents and those in school or in job training programs.

Parents Provide Rides

Since parents will be commuting, they'll be expected to drop off and pick up their children as part of their daily work or school day routine.

While Edgewood parents are expected to provide transportation for their children, bus and van transportation to our Other Head Start centers is still available to programs in Cecil, Caroline and Harford counties.

For example, in Cecil County, MRDC received funding from the Board of Education in partnership with Cecil County Public Schools to provide transportation services for 17 children in the Cecil County Public School system.

New All-Day Services Approved

MRDC is also pushing ahead with plans to convert some existing double sessions into single classes.

Supplemental funding has also been approved to add an all day, summer session in Caroline County.

The Greensboro facility will serve 45 children and families over a 12-week session.

Full day services will continue for 17 children enrolled at MRDC’s Caroline County program at the Judy P. Hoyer facility in Federalsburg.

This program will combine a Head Start session for Pre-K and 4-year-olds.

Info: Vergie Benton, 410 482-2585 x 20

Drivers Always Needed

We’re always recruiting qualified bus drivers to bring children to and from their Head Start classes. To qualify, drivers must pass a physical, clear a criminal background check and have a

Commercial driver’s license with passenger endorsement
Minimum of 2 points
Love for children
Friendly & professional attitude

Info: Phil Samson, 410 479-1683 x27

New Programs:
MRDC Set To Help Build Personal Savings Accounts

A mix of hard work, training, discipline and matching federal funds will help build significant savings accounts for 20 low-income workers over the next three years.

That's the goal set by Maryland Rural Development Corporation's participation in the Individual Development Account (IDA) program with the help of supporting federal and state grants and in partnership with the Maryland Center for Community Development.

The IDA program helps low-income workers build a savings account that can be used to purchase a home, pay tuition or start a small business.

Matching Funds Can Triple Savings

For every dollar deposited to a IDA each month, participants get up to three dollars in matching funds.

Participants who save $40 a month could end up with $120 each month in their IDA savings. Over the three-year program, that can accumulate to $4,320, plus interest.

The program does require discipline. Participants must agree to make the monthly deposits to their IDAs.

--IDAs help workers accumulate resources for future goals--

That's where MRDC plays a key role ‑ to provide encouragement to keep participants on track to meet their monthly savings goals.

MRDC staff member Michelle Hall will coordinate the savings training programs from the Greensboro, MD, office.

Training and support are critical because experience has shown that participants are skeptical of the matching funds concept, says MRDC's Gary Sawyer, who helped obtain the grant from the Department of Health and Human Services.

Info: Gary Sawyer, 410 482-2585 x14

How We Serve

Hey There Neighbor, Can You Spare A Ride?

No one wants to be trapped at home because they don't have a car, or can't drive or have a tough time getting around on their own.

That's where MRDC lends a hand to provided a ride so our neighbors can get to where they need to be.

MRDC offers transportation to medical assistance cardholders to medical facilities throughout the Eastern Shore as well as the greater Baltimore metropolitan area. MRDC can also arrange transportation services to jobs, job training and some recreational activities.

Info: Marie Price, 410 287-5023

Is Your Rental Service Up To Par?

Armed with HUD certifications, MRDC staff provide counseling and assistance in landlord/ tenant relations and eviction prevention.

MRDC administers the Section 8 Housing programs for Caroline and Kent Counties. First-time Homebuyer Counseling and rental assistance counseling are also available to improve housing conditions.

Info: Dedra Hicks, 410 479-3566

Where We Serve:
MRDC Offers a Helping Hand to Rural Maryland

Ever stopped to wonder how busy Maryland Rural Development Corporation is throughout Maryland? How many people and communities are helped by MRDCs 12 field offices and 125 full- and part-time employees?

You're part of an organization that offers a variety of rural community and family assistance services, including:

MRDC's Head Start services for 447 children
Financial counseling for 126 first-time home buyers
Rental assistance for 184 households
Transportation assistance to 307,clients, and
Community development help for 32 rural low- to moderate-income communities.

MRDC also provides resources and technical assistance to small towns through programs such as the Circuit Rider and the MD-RCAP programs.

Check Out MRDC on the interNET

The Maryland Rural Development Corporation's web site is up and growing.

Check throughout our website, www.mrdc.net for news updates, job referrals and hot links to other useful websites. Take a minute to visit the site and offer suggestions to make the site more useful.

Can you share a story about the people and communities participating in MRDC programs? Call our communications manager, Tom Guay, at 410 349-8200.