This week, we celebrated the re-opening of the H Street Service Center at 645 H Street, NE. The newly renovated and modernized center serves almost 300 residents daily. It was converted to a more modern and inviting location, including amenities that will allow residents to conduct their business faster and with better customer service.

Houston Elementary School in Ward 7 received a fresh coat of paint as part of Comcast Cares Day. Comcast with City Year Washington D.C. hosted the event that featured volunteers painting murals, planting flowers and doing general clean up. We appreciate their help in keeping our schools beautiful.

May 1, 2015 | Volume 1, Issue 14

My Fellow Washingtonians,

Like many of you, I was devastated by the events in Baltimore. I felt the same hurt, rage and heartbreak, but I want all of us to channel it into productive action and conversation. The news also demonstrated a need to better connect with our communities.

So that got us thinking … how can we foster a robust conversation in our community?

Today, I want to start that conversation. I want to encourage you to share on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram your thoughts using the hash tag #IWishUKnew. Tell us what you wish we knew.

What is it that you want people to know about you that they don’t know?

For example:

• I wish you knew that I am nervous that I won’t be able to find a job.
• I wish you knew that my parents are worried that they will lose our house.
• I wish you knew that I am scared when I wait for the bus at night.
• I wish you knew I want to succeed but don’t know how.

Engagement is the first step towards empowerment and that’s why your voice is so important. I want you to know that I am listening, we are listening, and we want you to share what we all need to know.

Sincerely,

Mayor Bowser

It's College Signing Day for Our High School Scholars

Today is College Signing Day in the District of Columbia and I was thrilled to greet students from D.C. public and public charter schools who have made the choice to further their education. Whether they are off to a professional training program, a community college, or a four-year college or university, our academic scholars are making the next step on their pathway to the middle class. They are gaining the skills they need to earn good-paying jobs. Today, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and   American University President Cornelius Kerwin joined us to celebrate this momentous occasion with an event at George Washington University.

Improving Student Access to Public Libraries

President Obama visited Anacostia Library on Thursday to announce the next phase of his ConnectEd initiative. The ConnectED Library Challenge is a commitment by more than 30 communities, including Washington, D.C., to put a library card into every student’s hand. Starting in the 2015-2016 school year, students at DC Public Schools and DC Public Charter Schools will be pre-registered for public library accounts that are linked to their DC One Cards. Click here to learn more about DC One Cards.

Stay in contact with me and my Administration online. Like us on Facebook. Follow me on Twitter @MayorBowser to follow our progress. Follow my team, @TeamMuriel, for the latest news and information from the John A. Wilson Building and District government agencies. Follow me on Instagram @Mayor_Bowser for even more updates on what's happening around town.  Lastly, find our online picture albums on Flickr.