From the Chairman

This year's annual report is all about Howard County's future. In the past year, we put in place programs that not only affect the health and wellness of our citizens today, but will continue to meet their needs in the years ahead.

Our investments in the future touch the lives of nearly every Howard County citizen, from the very young to the very old. And we're doing more than funding services. We're asking every citizen to get involved, because each of us has a role to play in the community's overall health and wellness.

Of course, the most important investment we can make in the future is in our children and youth. So in the past year, we strengthened Connections, our groundbreaking initiative that connects generations and creates a healthier environment for kids.

We also strengthened our community nonprofits by funding "safety net" programs. And we continued to expand our Horizon Councils, which serve as our eyes and ears in the community.

But in this uncertain and dangerous era, investing in the future must also include preparations for a natural or manmade disaster. CERN (Community Emergency Response Network) took amazing steps forward this year by launching a very successful public information campaign and piloting a neighborto- neighbor program that emphasizes neighborhood readiness. As neighbors plan together, they'll be prepared to "shelter at home" with assistance from each other if disaster strikes.

As we invested in the future, we also invested in the present by continuing to make grants to the community nonprofits that play such a vital role in the health and wellness of our citizens. We're very fortunate in Howard County to have so many organizations that do such wonderful work on behalf of all of us - today and in the years to come.