A New Kind of Engagement

February 6, 2015  |  Volume 1, Issue 3

Dear Washingtonians,

Thank you all for helping us kick off #FreshStartFeb at our Open House! My executive team and I were eager to open our doors and chat with so many of you. We hope you enjoyed checking out our new offices. The event was just the first of more than 30 community events planned across all 8 wards this month. We will be announcing more ways for you to connect with us throughout the month.  If you missed the Open House, you can view our Storify here.     

With Fresh Start February in full swing, I hope to see you at one of our upcoming Budget Engagement Forums where you can provide input to help shape the District's priorities. With DC residents at the table, we will prioritize closing the gaps and giving everyone a fair shot by investing in education, job training and affordable housing. The Budget Engagement Forums are scheduled for Thursday, February 19 at Wilson High School at 7 pm; Saturday, February 21 at Anacostia High School at 1 pm; and Monday, February 23 at Dunbar High School at 7 pm. We want to hear from you as we prepare next year's budget.  Using your tablet, mobile device, or even a sheet of paper, let us know your budget priorities by filling in our graphic and posting it to one of our social media channels.  We will retweet and repost some of your #freshstart ideas!

To get more information and to register to attend a Budget Engagement Forum, sign up here.

Thank you all again for your passion and support.

Sincerely,

HERE’S A RECAP

GREATER WASHINGTON HISPANIC CHAMBER WELCOME BREAKFAST

I attended the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GWHCC) Breakfast where I introduced four of my appointees – Jackie Reyes, Director of the Office of Latino Affairs; Ana Harvey, Director of the Department of Small and Local Business Development; Monica Palacio, Director of the Office of Human Rights; and Tatiana Torres, Chief of Staff of the Mayor's Office of Legal Counsel. As an inclusive administration, we are committed to continuing our work with GWHCC to foster growth and expand opportunities for residents of all 8 wards. 

MAYOR MARION S. BARRY SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM IS IN FULL SWING

The Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP) kicked off on January 30, 2015. Since the launch, approximately 13,500 applications have been received. To maintain a spot within the program there are three steps all youth must complete prior to the program start date.  They include: submitting your application online at www.summerjobs.dc.gov, submitting all required eligibility documentation, and attending a mandatory orientation session. Youth may log into their youth portal at www.summerjobs.dc.gov or check their emails for inquiries about participation status, updates and next steps.

With the first off-site application certification event held in Ward 8 at Anacostia High School, more youth have submitted all required documentation to receive certification to participate in this summer's MBSYEP cohort.  There's still time to register.  Registration ends February 20th.  

STAFF HIRES

Over the past week, I announced my appointment of Deborah Carroll to serve as the Director of the Department of Employment Services, which is responsible for providing comprehensive employment services to ensure a competitive workforce, life-long learning, economic stability and the highest quality of life for all District residents. With Director Acting Carroll, I also announced Dionne Burkett as the Director of the DC Youth Advisory Council, which was established to advise the Mayor, the Council of the District of Columbia, and other key decision makers on issues important to young Washingtonians.

I also announced Rahman Branch as the Director of the Office of African American Affairs. He will work with the African American community leaders and organizations to advocate on their behalf.  

UPCOMING CONFIRMATIONS

In the coming weeks, some of my senior team members will be appearing before the Council for confirmation hearings.  The first one is Jennie Niles whose hearing is on Monday.   Here is more information about Jennie:

Niles was the founder and head of school of the award-winning E.L. Haynes Public Charter School, one of the highest performing charter schools in Washington, D.C. and the country. Previously, Niles was Director of Education Initiatives at The Ball Foundation of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, headed the Charter School Office for the Connecticut State Department of Education, and taught science and directed service-learning programs at middle and high schools in California and Massachusetts. 

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH AT MARTIN LUTHER KING ELEMENTARY

On Wednesday, I read The Story of Ruby Bridges to a group of kindergarten and second-grade students at Martin Luther King Elementary School in Ward 8. The Story of Ruby Bridges is the story of a six-year-old girl who helped shape history when she became the first African American to attend an all-white school in the segregated south. The importance of reading this story was to instill the values of courage and leadership in the District's youth.   

COMMUNITY MEETINGS  

I attended several community meetings across the city this past week to discuss a range of issues with community leaders in preparation for my #FreshStartFeb Budget Engagement Forums.  I heard from the District's constituents on a variety of issues ranging from animal control to trash pick-up.  A very special "thank you" to Councilmember Yvette Alexander and the Ward 7 Leadership Council for inviting me to discuss ways to improve our communities.

LET'S TALK ABOUT MEASLES!

The District has one isolated case of the measles which is linked to international travel. The District's Department of Health is sharing the following information concerning measles and what to do to prevent infection.

WHAT’S NEXT?

This weekend, I will attend the Housing for All Rally and the Hillcrest Community Civic Association meeting. On Sunday afternoon, I will attend the AFGE 2015 Legislative and Grassroots Mobilization Conference.

Next week, I plan to attend the Congress Heights Community Association meeting, and the ANC 6B meeting. I will also deliver remarks and participate in a discussion with the Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers. Later in the week, I will attend an open house for the Office of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs, and I am expecting a visit from Mayor Boris Johnson of London, England. 

Stay in contact with me and my team. Connect with me on Facebook.  Follow me on Twitter @MayorBowser to get behind the scenes as I move around the city.  Now you can follow my team on Twitter, as well, for the latest news and information from the John A. Wilson Building and District Government agencies @TeamMuriel.  Follow me on Instagram @MayorBowser to see pictures in real time as I continue to represent the District at a variety of events.  My team is now on Flickr and you can see our photo album of the #FreshStartFeb Open House with more albums to come. 

Let me know what's working and what's not working. We are Washington, DC.  We are all working together to give the District a #freshstart.