From the Chair

Horizon Board Chair Padraic Kennedy (middle) discusses community preparedness with board member Dr. Robert Sheff (right) and Dr. Sydney Cousin, Superintendent of Schools for Howard County.

The Horizon Foundation has a vision for Howard County. We see a community where residents of all economic levels are able to achieve their maximum health and wellness potential and where the public schools, the faith community, local businesses and many others are all actively involved in the pursuit of community health and wellness.

We feel our ambitions are realistic.

Our goals for a healthier Howard County are based on the results of extensive community meetings and recommendations from the Foundation’s Strategic Planning Committee and were approved by the Board in early 2000. Those goals have guided us ever since, while a variety of strategies and tactics has supported them.

In the long term, the Foundation and its community partners envision conditions where early intervention, a focus on wellness and health maintenance programs address health issues in the county and as a result, the county significantly exceeds national community health goals.

We envision a county where access to basic health care is a reality for all community residents, where at risk individuals receive effective and sensitive health care and human services.

We also see Howard County exemplifying enlightened leadership, cooperative partnerships among its institutions and where there is a vibrant sense of community for all residents. How are we doing in moving towards our goals? Since we began in 1998, we’ve led the way in many proactive initiatives. You’ll read about just a few of them in this Annual Report.