About
Co-op Arundel is a 501(c)(3) that has worked with residents and neighborhood coordinators of underserved communities in Anne Arundel County to:
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hold listening sessions to determine the needs of the communities
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facilitate meetings with residents to advocate for themselves on issues such as mold remediation in public housing and reinstituting school bus service for middle schoolers
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connect residents with representatives and organizations who can aid in housing, financial, medical, and other issues
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facilitate townhalls for substance abuse and violence prevention
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organize annual Unity in the Community Day
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provide Narcan training and distribution
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establish meal and grocery distribution before, during and since Covid-19 quarantine
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coordinate a bike drive and distribution
We have partnered with the City of Annapolis, People Builders Consulting, Street Angels, Rebuilding/Recreating Our Maternal Village, Restoration Community Development, Caucus of African American Leaders, and NAACP.
President
Yasemin Jamison is a Muslim Turkish-American who immigrated to the United States from Turkey at 8 years old with her family. As a young adult, she became politically active promoting social justice for women and people marginalized by society. After the 2016 elections, Yasemin founded the Anne Arundel County Indivisible group. She connected with many established groups, such as The Caucus of African American Leaders, NAACP, SURJ, and other newly established groups. Yasemin has been instrumental in bringing focus to issues important to the citizens of Anne Arundel County, such as bringing diversity to the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court, promoting anti-hate resolutions in the Anne Arundel County Council, and lobbying against discriminatory policies, in the belief of equality and fair treatment for all people. She has worked with the City of Annapolis to coordinate NAM (Naptown Anti-dope Movement), as well as coordinate food drives and distribution before starting her own 501(c)3.
Vice President
Darren Moton is a native Ohioan, father, and Army veteran, living in the DMV for 30+ years. His military and civilian career have been in the healthcare field. Darren has always had a passion for volunteerism and often participated at various food banks, nursing homes, and clothing drives. His interest in social justice and the empowerment of the disenfranchised has led him to become part of Co-op Arundel.
Secretary
Leah is a mother, a lifelong resident of Anne Arundel County, and a proud graduate of Annapolis High School. She earned her law degree from The George Washington University Law School. During her time in law school, she volunteered at a legal intake clinic at Central Union Mission in Washington, D.C. and served on the board of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association. After graduating law school, she clerked for Justice William S. Cooper of the Supreme Court of Kentucky, and since then has spent her legal career as a federal court litigator both in private practice and public service, with a focus on issues affecting the financially distressed and underserved. Leah served as president of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of the Greater Washington, D.C. Area and has supported community efforts to fight racism and further racial equity in Anne Arundel County.
Our Mission
Co-op Arundel's mission is to support and develop grassroots programs and services that enrich youth and families in underserved communities of Anne Arundel County.
Treasurer
A life-long volunteer and activist, Dawn Lamonica grew up in Delaware and has called the DMV home for the last 8 years. While living in Anne Arundel County, Dawn assisted with meal and grocery distribution and participated in community clean-ups. She also worked with community leaders and residents on issues such as mold remediation in public housing and re-instituting school bus service for middle schoolers. Dawn is an active member of SURJ and Moms Demand Action and has lobbied for legislation in social justice, gun safety, and women's health and immigration.
Our Vision
Co-op Arundel envisions a world in which the most vulnerable people among us will have the power to lift themselves out of poverty and to create vital, healthy lives for their families and communities now and in the future.
We believe all people can embrace who they are,
can define their future, and can change the world.
