Youth TownHall

Collaborating for better information sharing

  

Some of what you will find in the new 211 Emergency Assistance Immigrant and Refugee Services Public Benefits Seniors Shelters Veterans

Imagine a world in which all social service and support information was at your fingertips.   Imagine a world in which you could find an after school arts program for your child with just a few clicks of the mouse.
With your help, that world is possible.   And soon.
Residents, providers, advocates, government representatives, and techies are working together to make the search tools easier to use and more fruitful.   That's right, we are collaborating to make social service program information more robust and more accessible than ever.   The DC Community Resource Platform group (you can join the Google group here) is moving forward on a number of fronts to ensure that social service program info is available to anyone who needs it.
We need you to help us make this happen.   I hope you will consider taking action in one or more ways:

1. Tell us if your organization has an internal and/or external resource directory:   Please share that information here.
2. Share your organization's internal and/or external resource directory:   If you feel like sharing, email print-only directories to Susie Cambria.
3. Join the group:   Stay apprised of progress, meetings, and work to be done by joining the DC Community Resource Platform Google group.
4. Tell us about your experience finding social service information:   Take this survey about your experiences seeking social service information for your clients, neighbors, family members, and yourself.   The results will inform the work to improve the resource and referral system as we move forward.
5. Learn more about what the group is doing:   Much of the information gathered so far along with meeting notes and next steps are on the community resource portal wiki.

We are what we eat Ward 2

Our nutritional status, health, physical and mental faculties depend on the food we eat and how we eat it. In ward 2 the access to good quality food has been a challenge to families with low income specially Undocumented Latino families. More than 17 percent of the Ward 2 population lives under the poverty line. Poverty among African- American DC residents jumped nearly one fifth, rising from 23 percent in 2007 to 27 percent in 2010. Poverty stood at 8.5 percent for non-Hispanic White residents and at 15 percent for Hispanic residents in 2010. Many of them children are today hungry and malnourished with serious impact on growth and learning capacity of children and the ability of adults to lead fully productive lives. The Columbia Heights/Shaw Family Support Collaborative (CH/SFSC) in partnership with The Executive Office of the Mayor on Latino Affairs (OLA), and the Capital Area Food Bank are determined to stabilize families, and provide all families with their basic needs.

Roxana Olivas Director of The Mayor's Office of Latino Affairs
helping families receive food services at Seaton Elementary.

There are several agencies across the District that shape how we get food.  There are at least 13 agencies that deal with food in our city! Bread for the City is an amazing agency that provides people in need with food. However the Latino population in Ward 2 is very hard to reach. CH/SFSC has an outstanding record with Latino Families in Wards 1 and 2 which allowed them to partner with OLA to provide a much needed food distribution site at Seaton Elementary located in Ward 2. On January 12, 2012 CH/SFSC alongside OLA, and the National Area Food Bank were able to provide food to over 40 Latino and African-American families for the first time at Seaton Elementary. Seaton will be the first of several food distribution sites that CH/SFSC, OLA, and the Food Bank will coordinate and serve families. 



  

Help DC Doors Raise Money

DC Doors is a grassroots initiative that provides housing to the homeless immigrant population in the District of Columbia. It seeks to accomplish this goal by providing transitional and permanent housing and comprehensive supportive services in a culturally competent and sensitive manner to families and single females. Please join DC Doors for their first Happy Hour Fundraiser at Cafe Citron (1343 Connecticut Ave, NW Washington DC 20036) Thursday February 16, 2012 from 6-9 pm. They are asking for a $10 donation at the door.

The federally-sponsored F.E.E.D (Fatherhood Empowerment Education Development) Program

  

February SWOT Meeting

Hello everyone! I hope that this email finds you in great spirits! On behalf of the Columbia Heights/Shaw Family Support Collaborative, I would like to personally invite you to attend the Strengthening Ward One Together (SWOT) monthly meeting Scheduled for Friday February 3, 2012 from 9:30 – 11:00 am at the Columbia Heights Youth Club, located at 1480 Girard Street, N.W..

SAVE THE DATE: The next Strengthening Ward One Together (SWOT) meeting will be held February 3 2012, from 9:30 -11:00am at 1480 Girard St NW.  At this meeting we will: 1) Hear from Ward 4 City Council Member Muriel Bowser, Ward 1 State Board of Education Representative Patrick Mara, and , and Ms. Myrna Peralta, of CentroNia 2) Give update of SWOT Successes 3) Discuss Next Steps. For more information, please contact German Vigil at gvigil@chsfsc.org or check out the SWOT blog: http://swotdc.blogspot.com/   

Thanks, and see you all at the February SWOT meeting/workshop! And please invite any service provider that you know! I want to thank each of you so much!

Creating Solutions Together – 2011-2012 Community Feedback Survey

The Columbia Heights/Shaw Family Support Collaborative was recently awarded federal funding to strengthen and expand our community violence prevention and intervention work.

We value your opinions about your neighborhood. As part of this grant, we are conducting a short survey in order to gain a better understanding of what residents think and feel about their community.

We hope to use this feedback to better provide resources and address community needs. The survey should take about 5-7 minutes to complete.

No names or identifying information will be associated with your responses and all questions are voluntary. Please click on the following link to complete the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SBMYJ22

If you have further questions about the Collaborative, our funding, or this survey, please contact Carmona Ross at cross@chsfsc.org or 202-518-6737.

Hispanic Heritage Month @ Cardozo SHS

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

This year with the leadership of Ms. Benitez who is the new after school coordinator, Cardozo Senior High School celebrated their first Hispanic Heritage Month ceremony. This was a great event for Ward 1, it brought youth of all races together and shared the Latino culture and customs. The program included typical Latino food (Tacos from Mexico, Pupusas from El Salvador, Sancocho form Domican Republic, and much more). Youth from all ethnic back grounds were able to indulge in different foods, and music. Nothing stood out more than the performance by youth from GALA Theater, and the talented Quique Avilés. Youth from Gala presented to those in attendance an amazing skit that portrayed the struggles of immigrant mothers. This was followed by a song that left its audience in a whimper of silence. The performances both shocked and left the audience wanting more. In the end Quique Avilés stunned the audience with a poem that gave confidence, and amazed youth from all back grounds.

At the end of the program over 30 youth walked and talked without any immigration boundaries, and treated each other as equals. This was an amazing event that needs to be commended and supported! This is a great step for Ward 1, and a great accomplishment to Cardozo Senior High School.

  

Substance Abuse Community Conversations

One of the things we talk a lot about on the blog is the importance of community engagement. Through Community conversations communities discover what they care about, and what issues are key to the success of their community. Conversation is part of life. And it’s an important part of community building. In conversation, we not only discover what we care about, we uncover new ideas for building healthy community. “Drug and alcohol abuse rates are higher in the District than anywhere else in the country, and experts say the wide availability of drugs, high stress levels and difficulties getting abusers into treatment fuel the city's persistently stratospheric rates.” To read more please see this article that goes in depth on DC’s substance abuse rate.
Since September SWOTDC has taken much interest into finding more information to help with this issue. In September SWOTDC held meetings that discussed substance abuse rates in Wards 1 and 2, and has continue to hold meetings and community conversations to discuss possible solutions. Please join in conversation facilitated by the DC Prevention Center October 18^th 2011 at 6pm at the Northwest association Community Meeting. It will be held at the Saint Stevens Episcopal Church for more information please see attached flier.

Secure Communities in DC

In May The American Prospect reported that the deployment of Secure Communities hit a roadblock in the nation’s capital when D.C. council members introduced a bill to ban the program. Secure Communities is a DHS program designed to identify immigrants in U.S. jails who are deportable under immigration law. Under Secure Communities, participating jails submit arrestees’ fingerprints not only to criminal databases, but to immigration databases as well; allowing ICE access to information on individuals held in jails. Unlike other ICE-local partnerships, Secure Communities gives ICE a technological, not physical, presence in prisons and jails. No Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) with local law-enforcement agencies are required, and no local law-enforcement agents are deputized to enforce immigration laws through Secure Communities.

As of October 2010, Secure Communities is available in 686 jurisdictions in 33 states. ICE plans to have a Secure Communities presence in every state by 2011, and plans to implement Secure Communities in each of the 3,100 state and local jails across the country by 2013. To learn more about secure communites please follow the link.

Last month Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier signed an agreement to share arrest data with ICE, despite the district’s longstanding ban on city employees inquiring about immigration status.

For months immigrants’ advocacy and service groups have rallied against secure communities, and have made great progreess to ban the law. In july immigrant advocat groups won a victory when the D.C. Police Department (DCPD) decided to withdraw their agreement with the federal government to implement Secure Communities.

In August 24th Roxana Olivas Director of the Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs, (OLA) spoke against Secure communites at a rally held in Arlington, Virginia. Olivas had this to say "For decades the District of Columbia has had policies that created a "bright line" between Immigration and Custom's Enforcement and local police. Why? Because we care about keeping all communities safe. In 2010 the Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier signed an agreement to share arrest data with ICE, despite the district’s longstanding ban on city employees inquiring about immigration status." To read more about her testimony please follow the link. The Mayor's Office of Latino Affaris has been working hard with immgrantion advocates to better help the immigrant population in the district of columbia.

2011 Data on Child Abuse and Neglect

After a spike in fiscal year (FY) 2009, substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect in the District returned to more historic levels in fiscal year (FY) 2010. The data shows that child abuse and neglect have been declining across the country, but there is no evidence of that trend in D.C. The number of substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect in the District rose by 27 percent in FY 2009, to find out more information of this dramatic spike please view this article.

Upcoming Parenting Classes in English and Spanish in Ward 1

  

The Columbia Heights/Shaw Family Support Collaborative will be hosting two sets of parenting classes this fall.

·         The English classes will be titled “Parents Raising Safe Kids” You will learn new discipline methods; such as controlling your child’s tantrums, resolve conflicts, and understanding and managing anger. For date, time and more information see flyer.

·         The Spanish Classes will be titled “Padres Criando Niños Seguros” You will learn new methods of child/parent interactions, sibling interaction, controlling child’s tantrums, and understanding and managing anger. For more information including date and time see the flyer (Español).

  

  

Be Prepared During Times of Crisis!

      

Join Serve D.C. for its free National Preparedness Month Forum, “Planning for Access & Functional Needs Populations in Emergencies,” to help celebrate National Preparedness Month. The forum focuses on educating D.C. residents of the necessary precautions needed to ensure safety during emergencies. Various speakers from D.C. government agencies will lead the discussions and communicate the information to people of all ages and abilities.

The panel emphasizes inclusion and ease of access of emergency resources. Registration is free and lunch will be provided.

Save the Date! 

Where: Department of Employment Services (1st Floor Community Room), 4048 Minnesota Avenue NE

When: Thursday, September 1, 2011, 12:00 P.M.-2:30 P.M.

More details at: www.serve.dc.gov

                           http://www.ready.gov/

Contact Information:

Jason Williamson

Serve DC

jason.williamson@dc.gov

(202) 727-7925

Created by AU FSE Volunteers

MLK March Leads to Memorial Unveiling!

On Sunday August 28, 2011 a historic event will take place—the debut of the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial. This occasion marks the first monument dedicated to an African American on the National Mall in Washington DC. Leading up to this day, there are several events that will honor and celebrate the accomplishments of Dr. King.

Come join and help pay tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. by participating in the D.C. Full Democracy Freedom Rally and March held on Saturday, August 27, 2011. This symbolic march will begin at the Abraham Lincoln monument and continue to the MLK memorial, signifying emancipation to liberation. The rally will feature civil rights leaders and elected officials of the District of Columbia. The purpose of the march is to promote an understanding of the need for jobs and justice. Don’t pass up the opportunity to participate in this remarkable experience!

Don’t forget:

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Dedication

Where: Freedom Plaza—14^th & Pennsylvania Ave. NW

Assemble: 9:30 A.M

Rally begins at 10:00 A.M

March begins at 11:00 A.M. and ends at 15^th and Constitution, NW

More Information at:
http://dc.gov/DC/Mayor/Initiatives/MLK+Memorial+Dedication+Week/District+of+Columbia+Events

Created by AU FSE Volunteers

Come celebrate 40 years with Fiesta DC!

The largest Latino festival in D.C. is celebrating its 40^th year on September 25^th. The annual free festival promotes Latino culture, music, art, and food.

Over 60,000 people gather every year to participate in this fun-filled festival. It’s a day that brings together the Latino community and provides entertainment and education for the entire family. Come enjoy a Parade of Nations, various vendors, and live performances. Everyone’s invited to come and experience this memorable event!

Mark your calendars!

Fiesta D.C.

Where: Mt. Pleasant St. NW, between Argonne Pl. and Park Rd. Washington, DC

When: September 25^th 11 A.M.-7 P.M.

For more information visit www.fiestadc.org

Created by AU FSE volunteers

Creating Solutions Together (CST) Violence Prevention Fair

Join Columbia Heights/Shaw Family Support Collaborative August 25 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at The Thurgood Marshall Center (1816 12th St NW, first floor) for the 2nd Annual Youth Violence Intervention Stakeholder's Meeting and Unity Fair. Please come and learn about successful violence prevention strategies the Collaborative and it's partners have implemented across the city this year.

Attendees are encouraged to share information about their program and services and network to effectively intervene in and prevent youth violence as youth head back to school.

If you would like to RSVP please contact Carmona Ross.

For more information clinck the links. English flier (PDF) and the Spanish flier (PDF)

Ayuda has a new home!

 Ayuda has a a new home: 6925B Willow St NW, Washington DC 20012.    

Ayuda's mission is to protect the rights of low-income immigrants in the DC metropolitan area. We are the District’s leading source of multi-legal and social assistance for low-income immigrants in the areas of immigration, human trafficking, domestic violence and sexual assault. Our overall goal is to improve the ability of our clients to live safe, violence-free lives and become fully participating members of our community.

Currently they have very limited limited access to internet and phone service due to the Verizon strike makes communications a challenge, but they are open for intakes for the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and Anti-Trafficking Program (9:00 am - 5:00 pm walk-in).  

DC Public Schools Beautification Day 2011

This  Beautification Day will be held this year on Saturday, August 20, 2011, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. This annual event was established in 2005 as a citywide “spruce up” of all DC public school buildings in preparation for the first day of school. Beautification efforts will include landscaping, trash pick-up, light painting, planting flowers, and other external beautification efforts. Volunteers and supplies are needed at over 100 schools. Please click the links below to volunteer or donate supplies. Please Register here