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.

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.

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).

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!

Important info for nonprofits regarding volunteers

Volunteers are an integral part of many nonprofits located in Ward 1 and serving Ward 1 residents.   If your organization is one that uses volunteers, then this publication from the DC Bar Pro Bono Program is for you.   This document describes what a waiver of liability is and whether they are necessary for your organization.   Please note that nothing about the preparation of this publication or sharing of it on this blog constitutes legal advice.
DCBar Alert--Waivers of Liability for Volunteers

2010 Tet Cultural Event

The Vietnamese-American Community Service Center (VACSC) invites the community to this February 16 event to celebrate the Year of the Tiger.   This cultural event will help VACSC, the Vietnamese community, and friends of this Ward 1 nonprofit to celebrate a year of new hope, new beginnings, new strength, and new future!
Lunar New Year Invitation 2010

Juntos Podemos Fortalecer Ward 1!

Asegurando oportunidades para todos, ayudando a los desafortunados y trabajando juntos para el beneficio de todos los individuos en nuestra comunidad.

Mientras que las recesión económica y el alto desempleo afecta a los residentes de Ward 1.   Los servicios sociales de los que la comunidad depende están siendo victimas de los cortes de presupuesto.   Si la red de servicios sociales de Ward 1 fracasa las consecuencias nos afectarán a todos por un largo plazo.

Por favor acompañe a nuestro Ward 1 councilmember Jim Graham dando inicio a este afán de colaboración.   22 de enero de 2010 de las 9:30 a las 11:30 a.m.

Vamos a Fortalecer Ward 1 este Viernes!