Neighbors Leading Change in Gaithersburg–Montgomery Village: the ENOUGH Initiative

With support from the Governor’s Office for Children, the Central Gaithersburg-Montgomery Village ENOUGH Initiative is bringing neighbors, organizations, and local leaders together to tackle poverty, starting with the voices and ideas of the community itself. Led by Identity as Community Quarterback, the ENOUGH project is building change from the ground up. 

Local Leadership, Real Impact 

Since kicking off in January 2025, ENOUGH has formed a leadership team that meets monthly to keep everyone connected and accountable. There’s also a Community Advisory Board (CAB) made up of eight local members, and four Workgroups focused on key issues. This fall, the Partners recruited young people for a Youth Community Advisory Board (YCAB) to make sure youth have a seat at the table too.  

The founding partners include a strong mix of local organizations: 480 Club, the Black and Brown Coalition for Educational Equity and Excellence, Gaithersburg Beloved Community Initiative, Housing Initiative Partnership, Identity, the University of Maryland School of Public Health and Montgomery County Public Schools. 

A major milestone was welcoming Chantil Thomas as Project Manager. Chantil has already helped shape the Initiative, leading a Town Hall on May 31st, forming the CAB and Project Workgroups, and building strong relationships with residents. Chantil has been deeply impressed with the passion and energy shown by community members. “The work of ENOUGH did not begin with us, and it will not end with us,” she says. “It began with the community, and it will be sustained and carried forward because of the community’s unwavering efforts and commitment.”