tell us your story photoWhy Your Story Matters

Many people facing medical debt, housing instability, unfair utility practices, or other financial hardships are told—explicitly or implicitly—that what they’re going through is personal failure, bad luck, or something they should handle quietly on their own.
At Economic Action Maryland Fund, we believe something very different:

Your experience is not the problem. The systems that created it are.
Stories help change the conversation

Policies are often debated using statistics, budgets, and technical language. But those numbers don’t show what it’s actually like to:

  • choose between paying a bill and buying groceries
  • worry about losing your home because of a debt that grew quickly through fees, interest, or confusing rules
  • navigate complex and unfair financial systems with little power to push back

When people like you share your stories, you help others understand the human reality behind these systems. Stories make it harder to ignore harm—and harder to blame individuals for problems caused by unjust rules.

Stories help change policy

Lawmakers, journalists, and the public often say that hearing directly from people affected by economic injustice changes how they understand issues—and what they’re willing to do as a result. Stories can help decision-makers understand why change is needed now—and what’s at stake if it doesn’t happen. Many important financial protections—around medical debt, housing, utilities, and consumer rights—have advanced because people were willing to speak about what they experienced.

Stories help others who are going through the same thing

Sharing a story isn’t just about influencing policy. It can also:

  • help others realize they are not alone
  • reduce shame and isolation for people facing financial insecurity and injustice
  • create a sense of collective strength instead of private struggle

Often, people tell us: “I thought I was the only one.”

Stories help make visible how common—and systemic—these hardships really are.

You are always in control

Sharing your story is completely optional. Talking with us does not affect access to services or support from our organization in any way. If you choose to explore sharing, you decide:

  • whether you share at all
  • how your story is used
  • whether your name is included
  • when or if you want to stop sharing

Use the form below, and someone from our staff will contact you.

Share Your Story

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