A Thriving DC
After visiting with DCPS 1st graders boarding a Metrobus to visit the National Zoo, I had the pleasure of meeting students from Claggett Middle School in Medina, Ohio last week on their fall trip to the District. Tourism is our second largest industry, in large part because of the thousands of students who come here every month to visits our monuments, museums and many historical sites. My team will continue to work with Destination DC and all of our Hospitality Alliance to keep Washington’s tourism industry strong and growing. Safe travels back to Ohio, Claggett!
On Monday, I joined Councilmembers Vincent Orange and Jack Evans, and Events DC to announce six new retail and restaurants that are opening at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. I’m excited to see District-based businesses bringing new services to residents and tourists in the Shaw neighborhood. All told, this will result in a $7 million investment over the next ten years. Once these businesses open, one hundred percent of the retail space at the Convention Center will be occupied – yet another sign that DC is thriving.
Bridging the Intergenerational Divide
Last week, I joined Generations of Hope and Mi Casa, Inc. to cut the ribbon on Genesis – an innovative model for intergenerational, affordable housing. The 27-unit building is now home to young mothers aging out of foster care, families interested in being a part of a supportive community, and service-minded older adults. Every resident commits to a certain number of volunteer hours to help one another - whether that means helping older residents with computer skills or teaching young kids how to read. This is yet another example of how DC is leading the nation in becoming an age-friendly city.
Speaking of Age-Friendly DC, my Administration recently released our 2015 Progress Report. Over the next two months, we will host several information sessions in libraries across the District to discuss our plan and solicit your input. In the meantime, we are conducting a citywide Livability Survey to assess our progress and identify areas for improvement. Please take a few moments to fill it out online, or go to any DC Public Library and pick up a paper copy at the information desk.
Hypothermia Season
Hypothermia season has begun. The District issues a Hypothermia Alert when the actual or forecasted temperature, including wind chill, is 32 degrees or below. If you would like to request shelter transport for DC residents who are homeless and on the street during that time, contact the Shelter Hotline at uposh@upo.org, (202) 399-7093, 311 or 1-800-535-7252.
Holiday Safety Tips
Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing some practical tips to help keep you and your family safe during this holiday season. Save and share this graphic with family and friends.
DOES Career Stories: Job Spotlight: Danielle Ramos, Special Projects Coordinator, Dynamic Concepts, Inc.
This week’s DOES Jobs Spotlight is Danielle Ramos, a 26-year-old, Ward 6 resident. Danielle is a Special Projects Coordinator at Dynamic Concepts, Inc, and a 2014 graduate of Project Empowerment.
When asked how Project Empowerment prepared her for the workforce, she stated:
“Project Empowerment provided me with much more than job readiness. It taught me that hard work and dedication separates you from the rest. By allowing myself to step out of my comfort zone, I got the chance to see what I could really accomplish. The staff at Project Empowerment cared about my well-being and I could see their hearts were definitely in their work.”
Danielle also shared her future plans. “I plan to continue perfecting my skills at Dynamic Concepts and instill in my daughter the morals and values I learned in Project Empowerment. But more importantly, I will never stop striving for the best for us.”
I am proud of Danielle for taking the lessons from Project Empowerment to create a pathway to the middle class for herself and her child.
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