LEONARDTOWN, Md. – March 6, 2017: On March 2, 2017, the Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) Class of 2017 participated in the six of nine educational sessions – Housing and Human Services – sponsored by the Cherry Cove Group and Ms. Catherine Meyers, Executive Director for the Center for Children and a LSM Council Member. The class members arrived carrying non-perishable donations for the United Way of St. Mary’s Snack Sakse program. Their day then began with an introduction and welcome by Executive Director Helen Mattingly Wernecke and Lead Advocate Christina Payne LSM’15 at the Bay District Fire Department in Lexington Park, Maryland. The class was educated on Calvert County’s Office on Aging programs by Susan Justice, and the Maryland Access Point (MAP) program supporting aging services by Amy Boucher. Robbie Loker LSM’16, who previously worked for social services, leant her knowledge and experiences to the day’s discussion. The morning finished with session sponsor, Cathy Meyers, Executive Director for the Center for Children, regarding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) as well as resiliency with a robust and enlightening discussion on how intertwined childhood experiences, poverty, mental health, and homelessness can be while incorporating an exercise and discussion on adverse childhood experiences affecting one’s ability to thrive.
Chris Longmore LSM’09, attorney and partner, Dugan, McKissick & Longmore, led the lunchtime activity and discussion on how we, as leaders, can help with housing and human services issues in our own communities. Afterward, Karen Lane, Chair, Calvert Family Advocates, discussed community resources available while Sarah Winter-Kolbe, Southern Maryland Community Resources, led the class members through a scenario-based discussion on its resources and how the organization stays connected to the community. Kenneth C. Holt, Maryland’s Secretary of Housing and Community Development, spoke on the state’s approach to housing in the state and its impact on the economy. The day ended with a presentation on the Housing Market in Southern Maryland by David Jenkins, Southern Maryland Association of Realtors.
The class wrapped up their day with a networking event that evening hosted by LSM’s Alumni Association at Elements Eatery and Mixology in Lexington Park, Maryland. Class participants were able to meet and interact with LSM alumni, more than 270 strong, as well as Leadership Maryland alumni living in the Southern Maryland region.
Leadership Southern Maryland is designed and dedicated to educate and inspire a diverse group of current and emerging leaders to create collaborations and partnerships to impact the community needs of Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties and incorporates a cross-section of the region to include diversity of geographic location, profession, ethnicity and gender. Leadership Southern Maryland is a nine-month tuition-based program.
For more information, please contact the Helen Mattingly Wernecke, Executive Director Leadership Southern Maryland, 240-725-5469 via email helen@leadershipsomd.org or visit devaney.adminprotools.com.
Leadership Southern Maryland is a 501(c)(3) organization by the Internal Revenue Service (EIN#26-2989381). Contributions are deductible as charitable contributions to the extent permitted by law.
