Erika Chavarria knows what it takes to make others feel seen. When schools closed during Covid-19 lockdowns, she knew many of her students and their families would face hardships around hunger and poverty. So, she created a Facebook group to help provide groceries to families in need in Howard County. Volunteers and donations poured in, and Columbia Community Care (CCC) was born, serving the many unseen needs of families in Howard County.

Many of your friends and neighbors may be employed yet struggling to afford essentials, pay for medical care or make rent. Howard County is one of the wealthiest counties in the country. The cost of living is relatively high. According to MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, a family of four in Howard County must make $121,000 a year to afford typical expenses. Hope for the working poor comes from people like Erika Chavarria and her team at CCC.

Erika grew up in New Mexico around people from different cultures and backgrounds. Her family instilled the values of caring for others and fighting injustice. “I used to think that it was my anger at the injustices of the world. But my mom challenged me. She said that it isn't anger that drives us. It’s love. Love for those around us.”

Today, Erika lives out her values through CCC. The organization has four pillars: Essential Resources, Health and Healing, Purpose Pathways, and Liberation Education. These pillars work together to address systemic issues like racism and poverty by providing access to resources, mental and physical health, education, and youth mentorship programs.

Erika understands the power of bringing people together to make big things happen. “This wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our volunteers, community partners, and donors. But I’m especially grateful for Meg Feroli, who has been doing this work alongside me since day one. Her dedication to CCC and her love for others is unmatched. I owe everything to her.”

Up next, Erika is pushing to create the Columbia Community Care Peace and Justice Center, which will act as a safe space for young people and their families. Building a better world takes a lot of hard work, but it also takes a different mindset. “Everyone adds value to a community. No one is disposable. We all take care of each other.

Donate or sign up to volunteer for Columbia Community Care here.