Food and Fun at Harvest Fest 2009!

  The Columbia Heights Shaw Family Support Collaborative (CHSFSC) is collaborating with the Shepherd Street Boys and Girls Club for Thanksgiving this year. Located just two blocks from the Petworth Metro Station, there will be a free Thanksgiving dinner, face painting, arts and crafts, and entertainment for teenagers and families. The Harvest Fest will take place on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 from 5:30pm-8:30pm. Please find the Harvest Fest 2009 flyer attached for more information.
Harvest Fest 2009

DOES Transition Employment Program

  Check out the Department of Employment Service (DOES) Transitional Employment Program- A Great Community Resource Linking to Employment
In addition to the challenges of a lack of affordable housing and food insecurity faced by Ward 1 residents, joblessness is a growing concern and reality. On one hand, rising rates of unemployment for members of our community is a result of the economic downturn and continuing layoffs. On the other hand, there are resources that could be available to bolster the skills of residents to earn an honest wage and support their families, but oftentimes we do not have the information to access them.

One such resource is the DOES Transitional Employment Program. To participate, residents must stop by one of the One Stops and register for Project Empowerment, through which they will be referred for training, work, and support in our area. Flyers in English and Spanish with highlights and details are attached. You may also check online, at http://does.dc.gov/does/frames.asp?doc=/does/lib/does/services/TEP_Fact_Sheet-revised_FY_07_%282%29.pdf
DOES Transitional Employment Program (in English)

TEP Flyer en Espanol

Mil Mujeres Legal Services' open house, November 25

Mil Mujeres Legal Services (MMLS) is hosting an open house to celebrate the opening of their new office in Mt. Pleasant (3118 16th St NW) and in commemoration of International Day of Violence Against Women.   The open house is being held this Wednesday, November 25 at 10:00 am.   So stop by the event and enjoy a delicious breakfast and take advantage of this opportunity to learn about the services Mil Mujeres is offering to the community.   Additional information in the English and Spanish fliers.

The open house is made possible with the support of the Latino Agencies Coalition United to Stop Violence Against Women (member organizations listed in fliers).Mil Mujeres Legal Services English

Mil Mujeres Legal Services Spanish

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!

Walk through of 14th St with Mayor Fenty and CM Graham is on!

The communtiy walkthrought that was rained out on November 13 has been rescheduled for Wednesday, December 9 at 9:30 am.   This pubic safety walk-through will be on 14th Street between Monroe Street and Oak Street, NW.   This is a good opportunity for residents, providers, and advocates to share their public safety concerns and solutions with the mayor and his team.

Questions?   Email Ward 1 Outreach/Services Coordinator, sybongile [DOT] cook [AT] dc [DOT] gov.

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Campbell Heights Community Health Fair, December 5

The Campbell Heights Residents' Association (along with a number of partners, listed below) is holding a Community Health Fair on December 5 from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm at the Campbell Heights Apartments (2001 15th Street, NW, Multipurpose Room and Dining Room).

An array of screenings will be available including:

• Glaucoma and other ophthalmology testing
• Blood pressure
• Prostrate
• Audiology
• HIV
• Diabetes

The health fair will also feature discussions including:

• Health resources and health maintenance for the aging
• Poly pharmacy
• Food nutrition
• Podiatry
• HIV/AIDS and STDs
• Financial management
• Mental health

Attendees can also participate in exercise and yoga/meditation demonstrations.   Another feature of the event include free light refreshments.

Co-sponsors of this health fair are: Howard University Hospital, Women in Medicine, Jair Lynch Development Corporation, Campbell Heights Property Management, and Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham.

For more information, contact Rev. Dr. Sandra Butler-Truesdale, (202) 246-6300 or Sandrabt [AT] emmamaegallery [DOT] com.

The Campbell Heights Residents' Association, Inc. was organized more than 25 years ago and now represents 171 senior citizens residing at the Campbell Heights Apartments.

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Preliminary assessment online for health benefits

Now online is this helpful preliminary interview for public health benefits.   Residents and providers of all kinds can use this online tool to initially assess eligibility for the DC Healthcare Alliance, Medicaid for the elderly and disabled, and DC Healthy Families.

Here's an overview of the online process:

1. You don't need to be related to the family members needing assistance in order to help.
2. There are two parts to the online process.   Part 1 takes about 20 minutes and Parts 2 and 3 take about 10 minutes.   The time it takes depends on whether you have the materials you need to do the assessment.
3. You will have to mail or drop off in person the application.
4. It takes between 30 and 45 days for the Department of Human Services to determine you eligible and mail enrollment information.

Equally as exciting and useful is that this tool is also available in Spanish.

As time goes on, more programs and services will be added to this tool.