Participants address food insecurity, creating career opportunities
McHenry, MD – The Leadership Garrett County Class of 2025 unveiled their take on two important local challenges during last Wednesday’s graduation, proposing strategies for addressing childhood food insecurity and the need for career mentoring.
“The student-led solutions were not only thoughtful and bold – they were rooted in compassion and a deep sense of responsibility to others,” said Dr. Kimberly Govi, Garrett College’s coordinator of professional education, who oversees the Leadership Garrett County program.
Group 1 – Justin Hershberger and April Jones (both employed by First United Bank & Trust), Melissa Bolyard (Garrett County Government), and Melissa Avery presented their project, “Together We Eat Fresh.” Their project focused on creating partnerships to ensure children have access to fresh, nutritious food during the summer when school is not in session.
Group 2 – Jason Miller and Justin Baker (both employed by Garrett County Public Works), Holly Lane (Garrett County Chamber of Commerce), and Josh Sloan (Sunrise Sanitation Services) – presented their project, “Pathways to Potential.” Their project focused on a mentor-based, certification-guided career plan to ensure graduating high school seniors were prepared for attractive career options.
Group 1 identified four key partners to assist in dealing with child summer food insecurity – the Appalachian Farm & Food Alliance, the Western Maryland Food Council, the Garrett County Public School Community Teachers, and Garrett Growers. Group 1 noted that each entity had experience in food insecurity mitigation, making them ideal partners to source, package, and deliver fresh produce to students facing food insecurity over the summer break.
Group 1 has also acquired start-up funding totaling nearly $14,000 with grant requests of more than $45,000 pending for the project.
Group 2 also identified community partners for its mentoring program, including Garrett Mentors, Garrett County Public Schools career coaches, and Garrett College’s Continuing Education & Workforce Development (CEWD) division. The group indicated all three entities are interested in partnering with the group on this initiative.
Next steps for Group 2 are to identify and incorporate local business input, develop a short list of students from Garrett Mentors in need of career coaches, and developing guidelines for program implementation.
Govi said the format for Leadership Garrett County’s graduation provided an impetus for action.
“With alumni, local leaders, and community members in attendance, the event became more than a showcase of ideas,” Govi said. “It became a celebration of connection, progress, and the shared belief that when we invest in our young people, we invest in a brighter future for all.”
Notes: Leadership Garrett County is offered through Garrett College’s Continuing Education & Workforce Development Division. For more information, contact Dr. Kimberly Govi, the College’s coordinator of professional education (kimberly.govi@garrettcollege.edu, or 301.387.3084).
