Mentoring Works2 March calendar now available

Interested in working with Mentoring Works2?   Then check out their March 2010 calendar.

Neighborhood newsletter a collective project

The February edition of the Pleasant Plains Neighborhood Network News, itself a collaborative effort to "build an active, vibrant, compassionate and prosperous neighborhood that we will all be proud of", features several examples of collaborative, collective initiatives to improve the community.   One example is the story about the Georgia Avenue Community Development Task Force.   Another example is the article "How Society Impacts Our Youth. . . " by Courtney Steward (Mentoring Works2) and Del MCfadden (Columbia Heights/Shaw Family Support Collaborative).

The newsletter is produced with a small budget and distributed door-to-door to 1,300 residents and businesses by the youth of Mentoring Works2 and the ECAC.   Residents and businesses can help support this community newsletter in numerous ways.   Chek them out by going to this site to buy ad space or the ECAC to make a tax-deductible donation to the ECAC, noting that the donation is for the PPNN.

Seminar by MPD vice units is learning opp for youth services providers

On Tuesday, February 23 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm, MPD will hold a public vice seminar.   The purpose of the event is to share the successes of MPD's vice units and to educate the public about the ongoing drug issues plaguing the city.

Khaleedah Harris, director of C.O.I.N.N.S., urges nonprofits serving youth to attend this meeting -- to learn and to be part of the solution.   Read more about the event and Khaleedah's take on how the public can best use the opportunity in the document below.

MPDViceSeminar-NonprofitResponse

Make Saturdays spectacular at Park View Rec

This just in from Greater DC Cares:

A team of talented young people have put together an exciting set of programs under the guidance of the manager of the Park View Recreation Center to start on Saturday, January 9, 2010.   You can help turn the recreation center into a beacon of light in a neighborhood that is undergoing rapid changes.   To get involved, email Katie Delaney, katsdelaney [AT] gmail [DOT] com.

Mentoring Works2 holiday celebration

Mentoring Works2 has announced its December 19 holiday event.   Details about the 2nd Annual Christmas Benefit Banquet are in the flier below.

Mentoring Works Christmas Banquet

Learn about the Afterschool Supper Program for kids

Ward 1 is home to many programs serving children and youth after school.   We all know how hunger has become more common with the youth in these programs.   That is why this December 16 event by the state superintendent's office is so important:   Afterschool Supper Program Information Session.

The session is designed to teach providers how to start participating in the new Child and Adult Care Feeding Program (CACFP) Afterschool Supper Program.

• WHEN:   Wednesday, December 16, 10:30 am - Noon
• WHERE:   Wellness & Nutrition Services, Office of the State Superintendent of Education (51 N Street, NE, Lower Level Conference Room) (Parking is available, but allow enough travel time to secure a parking spot before the session begins.   51 N Street is also Metro accessible.   The office is one block from the Red Line, New York Ave-Florida Ave/Gallaudet U station.   Be sure to bring ID; you will have to check in at the building's guard desk.)

Confirm your attendance by Thursday, December 10 by contacting Suzanne Henley (suzanne [DOT] henley [AT] dc [DOT] gov or 654-6119).   Direct questions to Suzanne Henley (information above) or Katie Vinopal, a Nutrition Associate at D.C. Hunger Solutions (KVinopal [AT] frac [DOT] org or 202-986-2200 x3042).

FREE youth conference, December 12

The December 12 DMVoices Youth Conference is the place to be for young people who have something to say and want to make a difference.

The Latin American Youth Center's free half-day conference is featuring:

• Workshops on topics like youth violence, education, and segregation/gentrification (These are examples only; the agenda is being finalized.)
• Inspirational speaker(s)
• Free food
• Opportunity fair featuring groups and organizations that offer youth community-based developmental, educational, leadership and/or organizing opportunities

The event is being held from 1:30 – 6:30 pm in Columbia Heights.   More information in this flier and on the LAYC Web site.

But wait - there's more!   To pull off this ambitious event for young people, volunteers (young and old alike) are needed.   There's a job for everyone.   They range from outreach, registration, note takers, and serving dinner.   Volunteers get community service hours if they need it, free dinner, and LAYC's everlasting thanks!

Halloween safety tips for kids and Ward 1 events

This easy-to-use tip sheet will help make Halloween fun and safe for children and youth this year.   And as an added bonus, we have listed events in Ward 1 on a separate page.   Please share far and wide!
HalloweenSafetyTips.Ward1Eventspdf