Office of Community Partnerships

Mission

The mission of the Office of Community Partnerships (OCP) is to strengthen relationships between the Montgomery County government and the residents it serves, with a special focus on underserved and emerging communities and our neighbors in need. The OCP serves as a bridge builder between the County government and community organizations serving the residents of Montgomery County, working across the barriers of race, ethnicity, income, and religion that too often diminish communities. OCP's mission is to carry out the County Executive's commitment to building a larger policy table with participation by a more diverse range and a greater number of residents as we work to become America’s most welcoming community.

Click  here for bios of and contact information of the OCP staff.
Click here  to read about County Executive Marc Elrich's vision for a more equitable and inclusive Montgomery County.


County Executive's Customer Service Commitment

Montgomery County Government is committed to providing exceptional service to our many diverse communities, residents and businesses. I encourage you to contact me if you feel that you have not received excellent service or have compliments or other commitments related to the service you received from your county government.

-Marc Elrich, Montgomery County Executive

Click here to email County Executive Marc Elrich


Immigration Resources and Information

The County's tradition of building and maintaining a safe and inclusive community for our residents is a core value. Consequently, we have been working hard to provide resources for and answers to the many questions from our concerned community about immigration issues.  Visit the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center for more information and resources. 


Office of Community Partnerships Monthly Newsletter

Please click  here  to subscribe to the OCP newsletter as well as the Volunteer Center's newsletter.
Please click   here  to go to the archives for previous OCP newsletters. 


Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center


The Charles W. Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center is Montgomery County's official welcome center for immigrants and newcomers and offers a variety of programs and services to the Montgomery County Community. For more information, visit the Immigrant Resource Center website.


Advisory Groups

CE Elrich with Advisory groups


Members of the African, African American, Asian, Caribbean, Latino, Middle Eastern and LGBTQ Advisory Groups are appointed by the CE to ensure that the county executive is well informed of and able to act effectively in responding to the needs and concerns of the county's diverse communities, and to work collaboratively with government, nonprofits, and community organizations in creating an inclusive, equitable and welcoming county. For more information about these groups and others, including contacts to learn about activities and meeting schedules, click here  or check the most recent Office of Community Partnerships newsletter available here


Resources of the LGBTQ Community

  • Pronoun Guide
  • Best Practices for Working with LGBTQ Older Adults. It is estimated that there are nearly 3 million LGBT people age 50 and older. By 2030 these estimates will rise to nearly 7 million. While no precise data exists on the number of transgender older people, it is estimated that there are hundreds of thousands nationwide. This guide contains best practices for working with LGBTQ older adults.

Montgomery Serves Awards

This annual event allows us to celebrate the service leaders and community volunteers who make Montgomery County special. The Roscoe R. Nix Distinguished Community Leadership Award, our local version of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, is presented by the County Executive.  The Neal Potter Path of Achievement Award recognizes a lifetime of volunteer service by people age 60 and better.  The Montgomery Serves Awards recognize volunteers of the year in four categories - individual, youth, group, and business. 
Find more information and links to this year's winners and past honorees on the   Volunteer Center website

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Martin Luther King day image
Make this annual holiday a Day ON, not a Day off.  See opportunities to volunteer at   www.montgomeryserves.org. You are also invited to attend the annual  Birthday Tribute and Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr held at The Music Center at Strathmore.



Access for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Individuals

Do you (or someone you know) need access to Montgomery County government services, but have limited English proficiency? Find out about mandated language policies and resources throughout county departments.   Go to Montgomery County's LEP Website.


Montgomery Sister Cities

Montgomery Sister Cities helps connect our county with the countries of origin of our residents. By enriching our understanding of the cultures and economies of the home countries of our neighbors, we are helping to build America’s most welcoming community while positioning ourselves for success in the global marketplace of the twenty-first century.
Through educational, cultural, and economic exchanges, we are building a stronger community here at home and preparing our youth to become global citizens of the twenty-first century. Please help us strengthen our partnerships with communities worlwide by joining Montgomery Sister Cities.

See presentation: "Bruce’s Excellent Adventures Exploring the World of Montgomery: A Tour of Montgomery County’s Five Sister Cities 2010-2019: Morazán, El Salvador; Gondar, Ethiopia; Xi’an, China; Hyderabad, India; and Daejeon, South Korea"
PDF version of presentation
AUDIO version of presentation

Gondar, Ethiopia - A Montgomery County Sister Cities Journey 2019 Video
Join members of the Montgomery County, Maryland Sister Cities delegation on a journey to Gondar, Ethiopia. Experience the wonders of a country rich in culture and history. Feel the rhythmic beat of ancient drums, chants, dancing as the travelers make their way on this goodwill Sister Cities mission and journey. 
Joy C. West, Filmmaker