Full Breakdown
On Our Own of Frederick County Secures RAMP Grant for Bilingual Recovery Support
3/5/2026, 12:38:55 PM
Grant Overview and Project Goals
On Our Own of Frederick County has been awarded $192,578.32 through the Rural Advancement for Maryland Peers (RAMP) grant program, administered by the Maryland Department of Labor. This funding, effective from February 1, 2026, will support a project titled "The Peer Empowerment Partnership: Bilingual Pathways to Recovery and Employment." The initiative aims to enhance access to peer-led recovery supports and workforce pathways, particularly for Spanish-speaking individuals and families in the "ENOUGH" area of the Golden Mile economic corridor in Frederick County, Maryland.
Collaborative Efforts
The project will be implemented in partnership with the Spanish Speaking Community of Maryland (SSCM). Neil Donnelly, Executive Director of On Our Own of Frederick County, emphasized the importance of peer support, stating that it is "built on hope, relationship, and lived experience." He noted that the RAMP grant will help expand bilingual pathways to recovery and employment, ensuring that support is accessible and respectful, especially in communities with high needs and limited access.
Maria Herrera, Executive Director of SSCM, highlighted the project's focus on culturally responsive engagement, stating, "This partnership is about truly meeting people where they are—in their language, their culture, and within the realities they navigate every day." The collaboration aims to build trust and connect Spanish-speaking families to essential resources and pathways toward stability and wellness.
Expected Impact on the Community
The Peer Empowerment Partnership is designed to achieve several key objectives: expanding peer recovery workforce pathways, enhancing bilingual outreach, increasing connections to community-based behavioral health resources, and focusing on the underserved residents of the Frederick ENOUGH area. The Maryland Department of Labor has recognized the program's goal to strengthen the rural peer recovery workforce and improve access to behavioral health services across the state.
Donnelly remarked on the significance of the grant, calling it "a meaningful win for the peer recovery movement in Maryland." He expressed gratitude to the Maryland Department of Labor and the various partners involved, emphasizing the importance of sharing outcomes and lessons learned with Maryland's peer-led network to strengthen the broader field.
Future Collaboration and Engagement
On Our Own of Frederick County and SSCM plan to provide updates on the project's implementation and early outcomes as it progresses. They invite affiliates within the On Our Own of Maryland network to collaborate, share best practices, and explore bilingual peer pathway models, particularly in similar economic corridors.
About the Organizations
On Our Own of Frederick County is a peer-led Wellness and Recovery Center dedicated to serving adults facing mental health and substance use challenges through peer support and recovery-oriented services. The Spanish Speaking Community of Maryland focuses on empowering Spanish-speaking individuals and families through culturally responsive services and advocacy, bridging access to resources that promote wellness and stability. The RAMP initiative aims to expand the rural peer recovery workforce and improve access to behavioral health supports throughout Maryland.
