Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives Launches “GO SEE” Initiative
Seven Ethnic and Cultural Commissions to Reach
More Than 2.7 Million Minority Marylanders
ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives (GOCI) launched the “GO SEE” Initiative (Serve & Educate Ethnic Communities) to engage the more than 2.7 million Marylanders of diverse communities by sharing resources available across Maryland. More than 100 commissioners who serve on the governor’s seven ethnic and cultural commissions – representing more than 40% of the total population in Maryland – as well as the interfaith office, will be tasked with sharing the many statewide resources offered by the Hogan administration.
“Governor Hogan believes the positive impact of minority and faith leaders is essential for Maryland citizens,” said Steven J. McAdams, Executive Director of GOCI. “Change can begin with just one person, so we are grateful for the participation of our 115 commissioners to help raise public awareness of important resources available for Marylanders, while listening to feedback and addressing the unique needs of our diverse communities.”
Commissioners will discuss the 2020 Census, volunteer awards for adults and youth, the Maryland Youth Advisory Council, scholarships for law enforcement officers, the business network of Deaf and hard of hearing owners, a statewide effort to address the opioid and heroin crisis, safe driving initiatives, and more. The Governor’s seven ethnic commissions also have the unique ability to engage with the 18% of the total population of Maryland who are multilingual.
GOCI’s outreach will include:
- 2020 Census Maryland (Maryland Department of Planning)
- Governor’s Youth Council Application for 2019-2020 (Governor’s Office for Children)
- Technical Training Classroom and Ready Set Grow Procurement Connections Workshops for small businesses (Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, & Women Business Affairs)
- Governor’s Service Awards and Inaugural Youth Service Awards (Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism)
- Network of Deaf and Hard of Hearing-Owned Businesses (Governor’s Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing)
- Law Enforcement Training Scholarship Program (Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention)
- “Before It’s Too Late” Public Awareness Effort of Heroin and Opioids Crisis (Statewide)
- 2019 Day to Serve Volunteering Initiative (Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives)
- “Buckle Up. Phone Down” Campaign for Safe Driving (Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration)
The Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives mission is to serve as a coordinating office for the governor that connects Marylanders to economic, volunteer, and human service opportunities through government, business, and nonprofit partners. Office staff and ethnic commissions meet with Marylanders by hosting, co-hosting, supporting, and attending over 700 engagements every year.