MESSAGE: So many of us were touched by your testimony, one of gratitude, to the church for helping your family when your father died unexpectedly. You were so young. What do you remember of that loss? What part of your family’s vulnerability and experience has stood out to you personally, as a galvanizing memory and direction for your life’s work now? (Food insecurity? Housing insecurity? Healthcare?)

MOORE: I remember the hole that my father’s sudden passing left in our family–one that my mom worked around the clock to try and fill. But I also remember the love we received from our community, including the church. Our entire family could lean on the support of the village. When I think about why I made the choice to serve, I’m brought back to that early tragedy in my life, when people came to our rescue without being asked, and delivered the help we needed. I’m proud to have served in the Army; I’m proud to have led one of the nation’s largest poverty fighting organizations; and I’m proud to have been elected the 63rd governor of Maryland. Those choices are emanations of the fact that I learned early on that acts of service can be the difference between overcoming tragedy and being consumed by it.

Moore: “I know who wakes me up every morning, puts me safely to bed every night, and who guides my steps.”

MOORE: I come from a family of preachers and teachers who taught me and my sisters from a very young age the importance of faith. I know who wakes me up every morning, puts me safely to bed every night and who guides my steps. The very reason I can do this work is because of my faith – and because of the people and places that taught me how to live a life of devotion to God.

I believe that as the children of God, we have a responsibility to build a better state and a better world in any way we can. Because, while we ask God for his blessing and his help, we also know that it is us who must carry out his will. Service is the thing that will save us. It doesn’t matter how you serve; what matters is you make the choice to serve.

MESSAGE: On a national level, the government’s crisis response—emergency assistance, valuations, etc. at every stage—is racially disparate. It is well documented that after a crisis or disaster, there is less money for communities, families, individuals of color than similarly situated white counterparts. What can be done to better help people of color in times of crisis?

MOORE: We must do more to protect communities of color and help them recover in times of crisis. That starts by ensuring communities of color have a strong foundation to stand on, so when a crisis strikes, our neighborhoods can bounce back. The best way to do this is to build new pathways for work, wages, and wealth. Show me a community with opportunity, and I will show you a community that is resilient. That’s why my administration raised the minimum wage to $15 an hour, expanded the Child Tax Credit, passed legislation to improve access to capital, and put forward an executive order to help our minority-owned businesses thrive. On top of that, we increased funding to bolster coordination with local and federal law enforcement agencies through the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center and passed legislation to get illegal guns off our streets.

“Heaven is concerned about integrity, people who are moved, not by position, not by power and authority, but by a sense of service. This leader has displayed that, and we only ask that you enlarge his capacity . . .” Henry Wright, Pastor, in prayer for the Governor.

MESSAGE: You’ve named Paul Monteiro as the first Secretary of the Department of Service and Civic Innovation—your version of AmeriCorps in Maryland. On one hand, this brings to mind well-resourced high school graduates who want to take a gap year. On the other hand, in parts of Baltimore for example, with its highly publicized rates of youth violence, the needs are so great. Can you see something like this having a transformative impact on intractable issues with our youth?

MOORE: This first-in-the-nation service year option will change Maryland forever and will be a model for the entire country on how to create a state that serves. By partnering with local employers, Maryland will be able to provide world-class opportunities for professional development, continued learning, and community building that will result in a more cohesive and economically competitive Maryland.

I’m living proof of the power of service – the trajectory of my life was changed forever because of it. My journey to the Governor’s Office was paved by individuals who believed in me, supported me, and pushed me to see beyond what was directly in front of me. That is the story that I want all of our young people to have, and that is why this program is so important to me.

These Marylanders will have the opportunity to serve their communities, learn critical skills, and expand their horizons — all while earning $15 an hour and a $6,000 completion award to use as a stipend or for future tuition costs. This is an opportunity I want everyone to have, should they want it.