Dear Valued Community,
I am Addie Merrick, the proud president of this wonderful company. For over 35 years the Merrick family has served the DC Metro area, building lasting relationships, with nice families, dedicated employees and trusted trade partners. Our community has weathered many challenges together and is doing so again right now. The DC Metro area is the first area in our Nation to feel the direct impact of the current upheaval in our government. I believe that if we put our trust in one another and hold on to our values we will make it through these times as strong as ever.
At Merrick we remain steadfast in our commitment to the issues that matter most to us and our community: human rights, sustainability, and education.
Immigrant rights and women’s rights are human rights. As a woman-owned company in a sector of the economy that relies heavily on immigrant labor, we cannot overlook the struggles of those who make our work possible. At Merrick we have always cared for our team with above average compensation & full health coverage, providing opportunities for all. Now it is more important than ever to remind each other that we have a moral and ethical obligation to stand together, regardless of ethnicity or gender. In the same way we believe that nice people turn houses into homes, we also believe that united people turn a geographic location into a community.
To us it is important that we contribute to our community by preserving homes through sustainable remodeling. While remodeling is inherently green by reusing existing materials, at Merrick, we go further by creating comprehensive plans for all the elements that contribute to a green home. We strive to help our homeowners find the best value and solutions tailored to their needs. Ensuring that the homes we raise are families in, are healthy and will stand to support the next generation of families.
We need strong, dedicated community members and the only way to achieve that, is to grow them, through an equally strong dedication to education. In my family, I broke the mold: every other woman has made their career in education. But my father and I have brought that passion to the home remodeling industry through Merrick Design and Build. At Merrick we have always emphasized continued education, offering career specific training and tuition reimbursement. We support quality education not just for our own families, but for our whole community by supporting local schools through event participation and sponsorship. I personally sit on the Advisory Committee for Montgomery Colleges Construction Program and am honored to help shape the next generation of builders in this small way.
As our community weathers the storms brought by this administration, we at Merrick want to publicly renew our commitment to these values we hold dear. The famous words, “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing,” has meant more to me in these past few months than ever before. No matter which side of the aisle you sit on, I believe we can agree on the need to care for each other, as fellow human beings. When we focus on the needs of our community, and refuse to be overwhelmed by our worries, it is only then that we will, together, persevere. If you are interested in learning more about ways you can help our community during this time, please read on below for recommendations. We want to thank you for your continued support of Merrick as we continue to support our community.
With hope and strength,
Addie Merrick
Resources for Displaced Federal Workers:
UCFE Resources
Local Resources for Federal Agency Contractors & Employees
Resources for Immigrants:
Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center Homepage, Montgomery County, MD
Immigration Supports | Montgomery County Public Schools | Rockville, MD
Maryland Office for Refugees and Asylees (MORA)
Resources for Women:
Maryland Commission for Women – Maryland Department of Human Services
Women’s Law Center of Maryland | The Maryland People’s Law Library
Get Involved in Sustainable Organizations:
Home – Chesapeake Climate Action Network
Home – Community Forklift
Volunteer Opportunities | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Support Local Education:
General Donations – MCPSEF
Donate to the Montgomery College Foundation | Montgomery College, Maryland
And Don’t Forget to Vote:
Voter Registration Introduction
RepresentUs: Demand Accountable Government
