Governor's Office of Community Initiatives

Israel C. “Izzy” Patoka, Executive Director

The Governor's Office of Community Initiatives coordinates community and volunteer activities statewide and advises the Governor on policies to enhance and improve community programs. This Office also oversees the work of the Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism, Volunteer Maryland and community affairs services within the Executive Branch of Maryland government. The Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives also serves as liaison to the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and the Federal Centers of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

The main objective of the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives is to mobilize public support for volunteer service and community organizations, and to encourage civic participation by individuals, schools and community-related organizations. Through organization of events that recognize outstanding volunteer service and innovative grassroots organizations, the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives helps highlight and strengthen programs that directly serve localities.

In its primary areas of focus, the office will partner with each county and Baltimore City on at least one community improvement initiative each year or on a continuous basis where practical. The Executive Director will direct community initiatives across State government and coordinate with federal and local governments, private sector entities, academia and community organizations to strengthen community and volunteer service programs and initiatives.

The Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives will coordinate outreach to ethnic communities across Maryland, working with the State Cultural Commissions through the Department of Human Resources to implement initiatives in a progressive manner that will achieve maximum positive outcome.

The office will work with the leadership of faith-based organizations across the state to facilitate community improvement activities generated through those organizations, such as citizen patrol groups, neighborhood revitalization projects and neighborhood emergency response teams.

In cooperation with the Governor’s Grants Office, the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives will provide technical assistance to constituent groups as it relates to State departments and agencies. It will monitor community organizations receiving grants and other funding from or administered by the State of Maryland, to ensure accountability and measurable outcomes in compliance with State and federal policies.