Santa's Secret Shop needs Elves for the Holidays!

From Greater DC Cares:

Santa's Secret Shop needs Elves for the Holidays!

Looking to donate goods, or volunteer on the holidays?   Parkview Community Center (693 Otis Pl NW) needs extra hands and goods during its Santa's Secret Shop event.

Children will be shopping at Parkview for gifts to give to their parents.   There will be six shifts during a school day in late December, as well as organizing opportunities for people who are unable to take the day off of work.   If you are interested in getting involved for the holidays, or making a donation to Santa's Secret Shop, email Nuri Heckler at nheckler [AT] greaterdccares [DOT] org for more information.

View My Saved Places in a larger map

Help youth help others

Youth involved with the Vietnamese-American Community Service Center (VACSC) are collecting food for those who are in need this holiday season.   To support these active and caring young people, check out the flier below.

VACSCCan Food Drive Nov 2009

Mayor Fenty public safety walk-through on 14th Street

On Friday, November 13 at 9:30 am, Mayor Fenty will do a pubic safety walk-through on 14th Street between Monroe Street and Oak Street, NW.   This is a good opportunity for residents, providers, and advocates to share their public safety concerns and solutions with the mayor and his team.

Questions?   Email Ward 1 Outreach/Services Coordinator, sybongile [DOT] cook [AT] dc [DOT] gov.

View My Saved Places in a larger map

Did you know Ward 1's unemployment was 10.1% in 9/09?

The Washington Business Journal reported on November 3 that unemployment in Ward 1 was 10.1%, between Ward 3 with the lowest unemployment (3.2%) and Ward 8 with 28.3%.

Thanks and Giving at DPR in November

Ward 1 residents may give and receive this Thanksgiving holiday season at the Kalorama Recreation Center:

• Thanksgiving Food Drive, November 2 – 23:   At Kalorama Recreation Center (1875 Columbia Road, NW) from 2:30 - 8:30 pm.   This event is for all ages.   Participants will drop off can foods; non-perishable items; or donations at the recreation center.   For more information, call John Borges, Site Manager, (202) 673-7606.
• Thanksgiving Basket Give Away, November 24:   At Kalorama Recreation Center (1875 Columbia Road, NW) from 7:00 - 8:45 pm.   This event is for all ages.   Site will collect food and donate baskets to needy families in the community.   For more information, call John Borges, Site Manager, (202) 673-7606.

Members of the media should contact John A. Stokes, (202) 673-2195.

Catch some health care on the Mama & Baby Bus

The March of Dimes Mama & Baby Bus schedule for November 2009 is now online.   The bus stops many days during the month in Ward 1 so check out the dates.   The bus is made possible by the cooperation of the March of Dimes, Mary's Center, Washington Hospital Center, Office of Latino Affairs, and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield.

César Chávez PCS returns Bruce School to original purpose

Ward 1 CM Jim Graham recently announced the opening of César Chávez Public Charter School for Public Policy's newest campus in the historic Blanche K. Bruce School.   The Bruce School site is Chavez's fourth campus and "restores a tradition of education excellence at the Bruce school" according to CM Graham.   The transformation of this building may be long overdue but the historic preservation has succeeded in ending the blight.

To learn more about how the "restoration contributes to quality of education of the city's youth, and to the ongoing revitalization of this east side area of Ward 1", visit the CM's blog.