Governor Moore Tours Eastern Shore, Highlighting Investments in Homelessness Services, Public Safety, and Youth Engagement

Governor Wes Moore recently completed a two-day “Delivering for Maryland” tour focused on Worcester and Wicomico Counties, with a series of engagements aimed at showcasing the administration’s commitment to community development and resident well-being. The tour included visits to a shelter for homeless families, events honoring law enforcement, and a conference for municipal leaders, culminating in a career fair to recruit participants for a statewide service program.

The governor’s itinerary began with a visit to Diakonia, Inc., an Ocean City-based shelter providing services to homeless individuals, families, and veterans. During his visit, Governor Moore toured the facility and learned about its planned expansion, the “House of Hope.” The state has committed $700,000 in the Fiscal Year 2027 budget to support this initiative. Additionally, Diakonia received a $635,000 two-year restitution fund opioid grant from Maryland’s Office of Opioid Response in 2025, which aids their mobile recovery unit. This funding underscores the state’s dedication to addressing homelessness and supporting critical community services.

Following his visit to Diakonia, Governor Moore attended the annual breakfast hosted by the Municipal Police Executive Association. At this event, he presented the “Top Cop” award to Senior Officer Richard “Rick” Krause. This recognition comes as the state continues to report significant decreases in violent crime. The Moore-Miller administration has proposed substantial funding, totaling $124.1 million, to equip law enforcement agencies with necessary resources and support. The governor’s presence at this event highlights the administration’s focus on public safety and its commitment to supporting law enforcement officers across Maryland.

Governor Moore then served as the keynote speaker at the Maryland Municipal League Summer Conference in Ocean City. This annual conference is a key event for local leaders across Maryland, focusing on professional development and educational opportunities. In his address, the governor emphasized the collaborative efforts between state and local governments in achieving significant investments that benefit Marylanders statewide. He highlighted the tangible results of this partnership, which contribute to safer communities, stronger local economies, and improved infrastructure, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for residents throughout the state.

The tour concluded in Salisbury with a visit to the TidalHealth Career Fair. This event, organized by the Department of Service and Civic Innovation and TidalHealth, aimed to recruit residents for the Maryland Corps/Service Year Option program. This program, a pioneering initiative in the nation, offers young adults aged 18 to 24 opportunities to address community needs, foster workforce development, and prepare for higher education and career paths. TidalHealth has pledged to integrate 100 Maryland Corps/Service Year Option members into community health worker roles, where they will assist patients in navigating healthcare services and connect residents with essential resources such as food, housing, and transportation. Participants will also benefit from specialized professional training, with support from Wor-Wic Community College. Interested individuals and organizations can find more information and apply for the program at serve.Maryland.gov. This initiative reflects a joint effort to expand opportunities for young Marylanders and strengthen the state’s healthcare workforce.

The recent tour of Worcester and Wicomico Counties builds upon Governor Moore’s ongoing “Delivering for Maryland” initiatives, which have previously focused on investments in public spaces and higher education in other parts of the state.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.

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