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Frederick County Immigrant Affairs Commission approves outreach plans, new materials and vendor-only role for Heritage Festival
Summary
At its Feb. 25 meeting the commission approved hosting a table at the March Nowruz Festival, authorized printed trifold materials and business cards, declined to independently host the Immigrant Heritage Festival (opting to participate as a vendor), and discussed a county needs assessment.
The Frederick County Immigrant Affairs Commission met Feb. 25, 2026, at Winchester Hall (with virtual attendance) and voted unanimously on several outreach and administrative items, including hosting a table at the Nowruz Festival and approving printed informational materials.
The commission approved the previous meeting minutes after a motion by Andrea Diaz-Gomez, seconded by Zohreh Rezzazadeh. Chair Claudia Hernandez led a recap of the commission’s recent outreach at the FCC “Know Your Rights” event; Hernandez delivered a 30‑minute presentation on mental‑health impacts of immigrant trauma, and guest Cody Rosenbarker circulated a post‑event survey to attendees and commission members.
Seema Sharma moved and Zohreh Rezzazadeh seconded a motion for the commission to host a table at the Nowruz Festival on March 22, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The motion passed unanimously; the table cost was recorded as $120. Members also noted other outreach opportunities, including an Asbury Block Party on July 18, 2026 (Danielle Haskin will coordinate securing a table) and an AACF “Honoring Immigrant Mothers” event on March 1, 2026, at Hood College (free; RSVP required).
The commission approved a revised trifold and the stated core values for printing, along with generic business cards, on a motion by Seema Sharma seconded by Zohreh Rezzazadeh. Chair Claudia Hernandez moved, with a second from Benjamin Chepkoit, that the commission decline to host the Immigrant Heritage Festival independently and instead participate as a vendor; that motion also passed unanimously.
During a discussion of a County Needs Assessment, Chair Hernandez shared a draft guidance document and asked members to bring recommendations to the next meeting for submission to County Executive Fitzwater. Seema Sharma proposed forming working groups focused on community needs (including Cultural Enrichment, Immigration‑Related Support, and Medical & Health); members agreed to continue the discussion at the next meeting.
The commission also approved upcoming meeting dates and adjourned after a call for public comment produced none.
Votes at a glance: all recorded motions were approved unanimously.
(First reference to individuals includes their roles: Chair Claudia Hernandez; Seema Sharma, commission member and notetaker; Zohreh Rezzazadeh, commission member; Andrea Diaz‑Gomez, commission member; Benjamin Chepkoit, commission member; Danielle Haskin, commission member (virtual); Sofi Ibrahim, commission member (virtual); guest Cody Rosenbarker.)
