Welcoming Pope Francis to the Nation’s Capital

District of Columbia sent this bulletin at 09/11/2015 11:44 AM EDT
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National Day of Service

Today is a day of remembrance and reflection. On this National Day of Service, I encourage District residents to volunteer in your neighborhood or around the District through Serve DC, which offers several volunteer opportunities – not  just on  this day,  but  every day throughout the year. Check out the website at serve.dc.gov, give the office a call at 202.727.7925, or send an email here find out ways you can give back.   

September 11, 2015 | Volume 1, Issue 31

Dear Washingtonians,

Washington, DC will host Pope Francis during his visit to the United States from September 22-24.  We are so pleased to have Pope Francis in our nation’s capital, and we welcome with open arms the hundreds of thousands of people who will come to the District to see him.

The best place to see Pope Francis will be on September 24th, at 9:00 am as His Holiness addresses a joint session of Congress.  The public can watch the Pope’s speech on jumbotron screens on the National Mall, between 3rd and 7th streets.

Given the significant number of people expected to travel to Washington during the week of the visit, we are working with federal and regional partners to prepare. Over the past several weeks, we have been working with the Secret Service (which is in charge of this National Security Safety Event), regional and federal officials, and the National Guard.  We are putting safety measures in place, preparing for adjustments to traffic and public transportation, and ensuring that residents, workers and visitors in the District have maximum information.

Yesterday, I joined a briefing with the Secret Service to review the preparations for the Papal Visit.  There will be a number of road closures before and during the Pope’s time in the District.  And there will be specific impacts on public transportation - including some metro stations and bus routes.  The following areas will be especially affected during morning and evening rush hours:

  • 9/22 evening: the White House and Naval Observatory
  • 9/23 morning: the White House, Naval Observatory, and the Basilica and surrounding Brookland neighborhood
  • 9/23 evening – the Naval Observatory, and the Basilica and Brookland neighborhood
  • 9/24 morning – the Naval Observatory, and the U.S. Capitol

During the week of September 21st, DC Government will remain open for business, performing services for District residents. DC Public Schools and Public Charter Schools will stay open.  Meanwhile, the Office of Personnel Management is encouraging federal agencies to allow employees to telework during the Pope’s Visit.

We launched www.pope.dc.gov to serve as your one-stop destination for information on the Papal Visit – including the Pope’s schedule, road closures, public transportation adjustments and more.  I encourage you to review the information so that you have time to plan for your commute, and for your travel around the District. 

I am delighted that Pope Francis has chosen the District of Columbia as part of his first official visit to the United States.  Our city is well equipped to host large-scale events, and we look forward to a successful Papal Visit.

Sincerely,

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Muriel Bowser

Mayor

Walk with Francis

In anticipation of the Papal Visit, I participated in Catholic Charities’ ‘Walk with Francis’ challenge and called on all District residents to join me in our race to end homelessness. I share the Pope’s passion to reach out and care for those in need - and that includes the men, women and children who live in our shelters and on our streets. You can watch the short video here, and you can sign the pledge to end homelessness here. I hope you’ll join me in the challenge, and please pass it on to your family and friends.

Alleypalooza II

Alleypalooza Round II

The District’s first-ever Alleypalooza was a tremendous success. The Department of Transportation (DDOT) renewed a total of 64 alleys around the District. Now, we are embarking on Alleypalooza II, which will renovate an additional 64 alleys across the District - to be completed by November 6th. To view the before-and-after pictures of the first Alleypalooza, click here. For more information about Alleypalooza II, and to see the interactive map, of its progress, click here. 

#IAmMBSEYP Job Spotlight: Keith Curtis, Administrative Support Specialist, Universal Healthcare

This week’s #IAmMBSYEP Job Spotlight is Keith Curtis, a 22-year-old graduate of Archbishop Carroll High School from Ward 8. Curtis participated in 2015 Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP) at Global Transcendence as an IT and Audio Visual Support. Curtis’ role included computer repair, technical theatre, and videography. When Curtis was asked what he learned during MBSYEP, he said,

“I was challenged by William Patterson, CEO of Global Transcendence, and my site supervisor Caryl Doby to achieve and surpass my personal goals through their passion for youth empowerment and workforce development programs. They encouraged me to give 110% daily, and stressed the pillars of education, financial independence, home ownership and education as keys to my future.”

Curtis joined Universal Healthcare as an Administrative Support Specialist on August 31st. He is a part of the first class of MBSYEP participants ages 22-24  who are using their summer experiences to begin their pathways to the middle class. I am proud of these participants who are using the tools and services provided to them by Department of Employment Services and MBSYEP to enhance their futures.

Congratulations and good luck, Keith.