Planning Assistance in Action 

by Kristen E. Humphrey, MLA, Local Assistance and Training Planner

Ahead of the month-long Walktober celebration, Maryland Department of Planning (Planning) staff from our Eastern Shore offices, Tracey Gordy, Keith Lackie, Stephanie Mullinix, and Barbara Ewell, participated in the Wicomico County Health Department’s inaugural Shatter the Stigma Walk on September 10, 2022.

The Shatter the Stigma Walk was created to help address the stigma of those who are in recovery and suffer from addiction and substance abuse problems.

The group, dubbing themselves the “Holy Walkamolies,” included participants from the Maryland Department of General Services (DGS) the Public Defender’s Office, a retired staff member of the Maryland Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Affairs, and their friends and families.

Tracey Gordy, Director of Planning’s Lower Eastern Shore regional office, has been involved in promoting walking in the region for several years with WalkWicomico  (one of the principal partners of the Stigma Walk along with Wor-Wic Community College) for which she received the 2019 Outstanding Public Health Leader Award by the Wicomico County Health Department.

About the Shatter the Stigma Walk, Tracey reports, “We had 140 walkers, not counting kids! It was very successful for our first year.”