The Women's Giving Circle of Howard County has granted $5,600 of its 2011 grants budget in emergency funds to local nonprofits serving women and girls.
Emergency Grants are provided to selected nonprofits organizations on an annual basis to be used throughout the year toward immediate relief of emergencies in the lives of women and girls they serve.
Recipients for 2011 are Bridges to Housing Stability, Community Action Council, Domestic Violence Center, Family and Children's Services and Howard County General Hospital for the Healthy Families program, FIRN, and Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center. Each of this year's recipient organizations was granted $800.
Carol A. Beatty, Executive Director of The Arc of Howard County, was presented the Howard County Human Rights Commission's 2011 Human Rights Award for an individual whose "exemplary citizenship, dedicated leadership and outstanding achievement" has advanced human rights for all residents of Howard County.
Since 1993, Beatty has overseen a nonprofit organization that provides advocacy, housing, recreational services, and employment training, placement and on-the-job support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as respite care for their families.
Beatty was called a "ground-breaking pioneer in advancing the human rights of people with developmental disabilities and helping create a more caring community for all Howard County citizens." She was especially cited for The Arc's residential and employment supports, which have furthered The Arc's goal of inclusion in community life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In her award acceptance remarks, Beatty noted that "self advocates" now "lead the charge" in advancing the cause of human rights.