Food Insecurity Town Hall
Join the Healthier Choices Coalition and other community partners for our Food Insecurity Town Hall on September 16! Everyone in Howard County deserves the chance to lead a healthy life, and that starts with access to affordable, nourishing food. But too many of our neighbors are struggling to find or afford healthy options. We know food insecurity is one of the biggest, often overlooked drivers of chronic diseases like diabetes — and it’s only getting worse with rising food costs and cuts to programs like SNAP. Join us at Kings Contrivance Village at Amherst House on September 16 for an engaging, interactive town hall to discuss how we can address food insecurity in Howard County and beyond. We hope to see you there!
Sustaining Self in Uncertain Times
Our community, like others across the country, is experiencing a time of rapid change and upheaval that brings with it a complex set of reactions and feelings. Together with the Wendt Center, the Association of Community Services and HoCo Respond, join us for a webinar that will look at uncertainty through a lens of grief and trauma to help us understand what we are all going through and how to care for ourselves and others. We hope you will come away with some practical skills and approaches to living with uncertainty in our lives. You have two opportunities to attend the webinar: September 10th at 9 a.m. or September 12 at 1 p.m. Register today to claim your spot!
Register for Sept. 10th Session>>
Register for Sept. 12th Session>>
Congratulations, Nikki!
We are proud to share that our president & CEO, Nikki Highsmith Vernick, has been named to The Daily Record’s 2025 list of Influential Marylanders. This honor recognizes Nikki’s exceptional civic leadership and commitment to building a healthier, more equitable Maryland.
Under her leadership, the Horizon Foundation has championed bold initiatives to improve health and advance equity in Howard County and across the state. Nikki’s vision, passion and dedication continue to inspire meaningful change and strengthen communities.
Please join us in congratulating Nikki on this well-deserved recognition!
Grant RFPs coming soon
We have some exciting grant opportunities coming up this fall! Want to make sure you don’t miss any announcements? Sign up to make sure you get all the details about our upcoming grant opportunities.
First Thursdays – September 4
Thank you to everyone who has been participating in our First Thursdays community conversations! Our next gathering will take place on September 4 at 10 a.m. at the Horizon Foundation’s office. The topic for this discussion will be around how people are finding joy and practicing self-care during difficult times.
Please join us and your fellow Howard County residents for connection and community. To join, please RSVP to our Senior Power and Movement Building Officer, Gerardo Benavides, by Friday, August 29.
Staff Picks & Resources: Check out what we’re reading, watching & learning
- New report maps a “severe” shortage of local journalists in the U.S. (Nieman Lab)
- The Hidden Tribes of America (More in Common)
- The Extraordinary Magic of Ordinary People with author Brad Meltzer (A Bit of Optimism with Simon Sinek)
- The Big We by Hali Lee
- How People Learn to Become Resilient (The New Yorker)
- More Affordable and Available Housing Would Mean Fewer Children and Young People Experiencing Homelessness (Urban Institute)
