On Wednesday, December 10th, Park Heights Renaissance was proud to see our CEO, Yolanda Jiggetts, take the stage at the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Winter Conference to present on a topic that sits at the heart of our mission: the Power in Partnership.
The annual gathering brings together hundreds of state and local leaders committed to improving outcomes for Maryland’s communities. This year’s focus on solutions, innovation, and shared learning made it the perfect space to spotlight how collective impact is transforming neighborhoods like Park Heights from the inside out.
A Platform Built on Partnership
PHR’s presence at MACo would not be possible without the unwavering advocacy of Councilwoman Sharon Green Middleton and Rikki Spector, who continue to champion our work and ensure community-based organizations like ours have a seat at decision-making tables. Their leadership reflects the same principle Yolanda shared on stage: when we work together, we accelerate progress for the people who need it most.
What Yolanda Shared: Collaboration as an Accelerant for Change
During her session, Yolanda highlighted how partnership-driven strategies reshape the way communities rebuild, grow, and thrive. She spoke about:
- Structuring strong partnerships that align goals and resources
- Sustaining momentum through shared accountability
- Tracking outcomes and data to drive transparency and accelerate decision-making
- Centering residents in every step of community redevelopment
She also emphasized a key message: collective impact is not just a framework — it’s an accelerant. When agencies, organizations, businesses, and residents work in sync, the pace of change increases, capacity expands, and solutions become both deeper and more sustainable.
PHR’s Statewide Impact
This year, PHR was recognized as one of only three ENOUGH Implementation Awardees, a milestone that underscores the strength of our partnerships and our commitment to children and families in Park Heights. Being invited to share this work at MACo reinforces what collaboration can accomplish on a statewide scale.
A Moment of Pride — and Momentum
The “Power in Partnership” session served as a powerful reminder that no one transforms a community alone. It takes coordination, vision, and shared responsibility. It takes advocates like Councilwoman Middleton and Rikki Spector. It takes partners who believe in collaboration over competition. It takes residents who lend their voices and their leadership.
Most of all, it takes a collective commitment to accelerate the kind of change our communities deserve.
As MACo continues, we are grateful for the opportunity to lift up the work happening in Park Heights — and even more grateful for the partners who walk alongside us to make it possible.
🎥 Watch the full presentation
