Columbia Heights/Third District, MPD National Night Out Block Party, August 3

2010 National Night Out 3D

Are you collecting school supplies for Ward 1 kids?

Is your organization/business is collecting school supplies for children and youth in your program or community?   Would you like some free publicity to increase supply donations?   Answer a few questions (it will only take a couple of minutes) and then I will compile the results and share them on this blog and other places.   The deadline for providing the information is COB August 4.   If you have a flier promoting the back to school supply drive, please email it to Susie Cambria (in addition to answering the questions!) and I will post on the blog.

ANC 1D meeting -- green streets, affordable housing, pedestrian safety, and more

ANC 1D is holding an informal meeting on August 3 at 7:00 pm at La Casa Community Center (3166 Mount Pleasant St NW).   On the agenda is a discussion of Mount Pleasant Street as a "Green Street" as proposed by the Mt. Pleasant Commercial Revitalization Strategy Draft Plan and any and all other plans—such as those related to affordable housing, energy, the environment, and pedestrians.  Finally, any other subjects of concern to residents of Mount Pleasant are appropriate.

Ayuda assists Salvadoran immigrants seeking/re-registering for Temporary Protected Status

From Monday, July 26 to Friday, August 6 Ayuda will be conducting special walk-in hours for TPS renewals from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm for a fee of $60.   The extended office hours are exclusively open to Salvadorans who are re-registering for benefits under the current TPS extension.

Ayuda is offering the extended hours because Salvadoran immigrants in particular are often unfamiliar with the US immigration system and their rights under it.   Often, these immigrants have limited English language proficiency.   The combination of these factors makes these individuals easy prey for unscrupulous "notarios" (or immigration consultants) and/or attorneys who charge outrageously high fees while delivering no assistance.

Salvadoran nationals who want to re-register for TPS should go to Ayuda (1707 Kalorama Rd NW) with their most current TPS work permit, two money orders or personal checks made out to the "US Department of Homeland Security" (one for $80 and the other for $340), as well as Ayuda's $60 fee in cash.

Ayuda continues to offer free legal consultation regarding TPS eligibility.   The organizations's regular walk-in hours are Thursdays from 9:00 – 11:00 am in DC and Wednesdays from 9:00 – 10:00 am in Virginia.

Mark your calendars for another great training--this time on the DC juvenile justice system

 
On August 5, Martha’s Table will be hosting a SWOT training on the juvenile justice system.   The Council for Court Excellence and a number of DC government agencies will walk us through the system -- what to expect, what to do, and much more.   But be sure to reserve your place early as we only have space for 25 participants.   RSVP online.

Three-minute interview with CHCM's Robert Schubert

If you've not already done so, check out the Washington Examiner's Emily Babay's interview with Columbia Heights Community Marketplace manager Robert Schubert.   It ran in the July 23 edition of the Examiner.   The interview is jam packed full of information—such as why it was founded and when and hopes for the future.   Most interesting, though, is this:

What are the elements of a successful farmers market?
All in all, a good market will set the stage to create connections between and among local farmers, shoppers and the wider community....   However, people with limited incomes often can't participate as much as they might like.   That's why we're thrilled with the recent launch of our new CHFestivus Bucks, Festibucks for short, program.   Thanks to the wonderful and diligent help of Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham, we secured $5,000 that will allow people who use [Women, Infants and Children Program] "Fresh Checks," Senior [Farmers Market Nutrition Program] vouchers and food stamps to increase the amount, up to $10, that they can spend on food each Saturday.

More information about CHFestivus Bucks (in English and Spanish) are in this flier previously posted on the blog.

Reminder -- green jobs breakfast series continues July 26

A reminder that Columbia Heights/Shaw Family Support Collaborative and Urban Solar Solutions are sponsoring a free series of breakfast meetings about all things green construction, workforce development, food, and transportation.   The series concludes July 29.   More information is in the flier.