Thursday, July 29, 2010

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.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

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.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

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.

Monday, July 26, 2010

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.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

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.

Volunteers needed!

  • Two more volunteers are needed for the "Hairspray" Movie Night taking place Thursday, July 29 at 8:00 pm at Tubman Elementary Field
  • Ten volunteers are needed for National Night Out (NNO) on August 3 at various times between 4:00 and 10:00 pm.   Target is sponsoring this year's NNO in Columbia Heights and has agreed to help out with our Columbia Heights Day with reciprocal volunteers. NNO will be held at Hyatt Place and the adjoining soccer fields located at Bell Multi-Cultural High School.  This event is also very important for keeping our community safe.   Also it is great way to meet law enforcement officers in the area as well as Washington Redskins cheerleaders!

Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Whitney Cooper via email.

Community partners sought for block party

The 12th Annual Capital Manor Coop and W Street Community Block Party is being held August 28 from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm.   ANC 1B04 Commissioner Deborah Thomas, on behalf of the ANC and neighborhood, has put out a call for support for the event.   She is interested in funding and organizations to table at the event.   For more information, email her (deborahanc AT juno DOT com).

Friday, July 23, 2010

Mayor Fenty addresses ANC 1B on August 5

Mayor Fenty is the scheduled guest speaker at the regular ANC 1B monthly meeting, August 5, 7:00 pm in the second floor conference room at Reeves Center (2000 14th St NW).   The public is welcome and invited to attend.   More information is available from Jim Irwin, 481-3462.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

826DC seeks volunteers

826DC, a Ward 1-based nonprofit helping young people between the ages of 6 and 18 improve their creative and expository writing skills, seeks volunteers to help increase their capacity to serve DC students and teachers.   There are many ways to volunteer for 826DC.   More information about volunteering is on their web site.   The org is holding a volunteer orientation on October 13 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm.   But sign up soon; the September orientation is already filled to capacity!

Monday, July 12, 2010

From Cradle to Career:   Creating High-Performing Partnerships with D.C. Public Schools

From Cradle to Career:   Creating High-Performing Partnerships with D.C. Public Schools, July 19 from 3:00 – 4:30 pm is being sponsored by Building Local Civic & Nonprofit Capacity, a project of the Urban Institute Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy and the National Center for Charitable Statistics.   The forum is being held at The Urban Institute (2100 M St NW, 5th Floor, Katharine Graham Conference Facility).   RSVP with complete contact information here.

Four years ago, educators, nonprofits, elected officials, corporations, and the philanthropic community banded together in Greater Cincinnati for a common purpose:   help each child succeed from birth to meaningful careers.   Today, this public-private partnership, known as Strive, unites a broad swath of committed individuals and organizations around shared issues, goals, measurements and results, and then actively supports and strengthens strategies that eliminate the cracks children might fall through.

Be part of a spirited and informative exchange as Jeff Edmondson, Strive’s executive director, discusses how the coalition is helping students meet five key benchmarks toward success in and out of school; and how working groups address activities ranging from early childhood education to college retention.

Contact Pho Palmer with questions:   (202) 261-5397 or via email.