Building Community

It takes each and every one of us to build and sustain a community. We all bring different strengths and perspectives that are of value and lend to the whole. The public sector includes all government services that are provided for our health, education, safety, transportation, and governance. The private sector includes businesses of all sizes. And while nonprofits are considered part of the private sector by definition (also called the independent, voluntary or social sector), they are most often categorized as the third sector of the community. We all provide necessary services for surviving and thriving in our community and none of us can do what needs done without each other.

We have more opportunity today than ever to develop cross-sector partnerships that yield real solutions to seemingly intractable societal challenges. Most people can agree that a community where people are safe and healthy, and have access to affordable housing, quality health care, jobs that pay a living wage, and transportation to get there is a decent place to live. What many people cannot agree on is how to best achieve this.

To make transformational and long-term impact requires a common vision for Anne Arundel County combined with strong leadership, shared commitment, a long-term plan, stable funding, and shared measures across sectors. Progress is being made every day.