AIM Victories for Montgomery County
The secret to AIM’s success over the past 20 years lies in our commitment to identify and develop leaders in every community where we work. We rely on a radical tactic: We meet people face-to-face and build relationships that help to re-knit the frayed social fabric of our life. We don’t seek justice and social change for people, we seek change with people. We tackle big problems by breaking them down into issues that can be addressed. We build power by building community. We win our biggest victories by listening to what is needed, finding like-minded people to work with us for change, and engaging leaders who can help us to achieve our goals. Here are just a few of our key victories.
Excel Beyond the Bell Elementary in 18 schools
AIM fought to win funding for quality after school programs in the highest poverty schools in Montgomery County.
Over $1.3 Billion for Affordable Housing
The lack of affordable housing is one of the leading drivers of poverty and instability in Montgomery County and has always been a top priority for AIM. It is a burning issue that comes up over and over again in both individual meetings and listening sessions.
Community Centers in Historic African-American Communities
There are many historic African American communities throughout Montgomery County including Scotland in Potomac, Sandy Spring in Olney, Plum Gar in Germantown and Good Hope in Burtonsville. The Community Centers located in each community had been severely neglected as the County continued to grow in prosperity and became one of the richest places in the country.
$71 Million for School Construction
Over the course of several years, parents, staff, and community members organized for new school construction for two Title I elementary schools in Montgomery County: Burnt Mills and South Lake.
Cider Mill Apartments
Residents of the Montgomery County-owned Cider Mill Apartments see results from public pressure at an AIM action and ongoing accountability from resident leaders, and management.
COVID-19 Testing & Relief
In summer 2020, AIM leaders were often unable to access testing, even when they had symptoms. AIM leaders learned that 74% of Montgomery County’s new COVID-19 cases were Hispanic residents, though the Hispanic community represents only 1/5 of the county’s residents.
Housing Improvements at Northwest Park Apartments
Kay Management’s practices came under scrutiny in 2016 when Flower Branch Apartments, another Montgomery County apartment community managed by the company, suffered a tragic explosion and fire in which seven people lost their lives.
Keeping Immigrant Families Together
Over a third of Montgomery County residents were born outside the U.S. Many parents have a legal pathway to stay in the United States, but are in danger of being separated from their children because they lack the legal support necessary to navigate the immigration system.
Maryland DREAM Act
In 2010, a series of listening sessions revealed that undocumented youth inside AIM member institutions were choosing to drop out of high school when they realized they couldn’t pursue higher education.
Pedestrian Safety
Thousands of low-income families, singles, seniors and disabled persons without cars must walk along dangerous roads in order to access buses, schools, grocery stores and pharmacies in Montgomery County.
Taxi Reform for Seniors
Taxi service in Montgomery County for seniors and persons with disabilities was inefficient and at times, unbearable.
Transit Justice
AIM is working with our Metro IAF affiliates across the DMV (AIM, BUILD, PATH, VOICE, and WIN), and with the Amalgamated Transit Union, to stand up for Civil Rights for riders and workers across the region.
All-Day Kindergarten
Only 8 elementary schools of the 126 in Montgomery County had all day kindergarten. These few schools were among the most affluent in the county and had more resources available to them than the large majority of others.
Affordable Housing
Affordable Housing continues to be a top issue for AIM. AIM leaders were key allies in the fight to substantially fund the County’s Housing Initiative Fund (HIF), the most critical local source for building affordable housing.
Do Not Stand Idly By
AIM has joined an audacious campaign to curb gun violence led by our regional affiliate the Metro Industrial Areas Foundation (Metro IAF).