SYEP Launch

On Monday, DC Department of Employment Services welcomed over 15,000 DC youth participants to the Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program. This year also included 1,000 jobs for youth between the ages of 22-24 to provide them with the skills they need to be on a pathway to the middle class. I participated in a roundtable discussion with SYEP participants at Enlightened, Inc. to learn what’s in store for them this summer.  I am so #DCProud of our MBSYEP 2015 participants and can’t wait to see how they use these experiences to forge the next steps in their careers. 

July 3, 2015 | Volume 1, Issue 22

Dear Washingtonians,

It’s a national tradition -- the 4th of July brings together families and friends for parties, barbecues and fireworks as we celebrate the founding of our nation.

Tomorrow, Team Muriel will celebrate the 4th by marching in the Barracks Row Parade and the Palisades Parade in the morning, and hosting block parties at Bruce Monroe Park, Truesdell Elementary School, Marvin Gaye Park and Oxon Run Park in the afternoon and evening.  All of the events are free and open to the public. To RSVP, click here and celebrate the 4th with me!

We want to have fun, but we also want to be safe.  I would like to remind everyone that most fireworks – including the kind that explode – are illegal in the District.  For a rundown on DC laws related to the production, distribution and use of fireworks, please see the following link: http://mpdc.dc.gov/page/fireworks-safety. Remember, the best place to watch fireworks is at any number of the free, public displays across the region!

Have a wonderful holiday.

Sincerely,

Mayor Bowser 

Last week, I joined Police Chief Cathy Lanier to welcome a new group of officers to the Metropolitan Police Department. These young men and women have chosen to protect and serve our great city. I was also moved by the words of advice shared by Chief Lanier. Watch her moving speech about a career in service.

On Tuesday, we celebrated the groundbreaking for the Girard Street Senior Apartments, a $6 million development that will create 25 affordable housing apartments for seniors in the Brookland neighborhood. Projects like this help ensure that seniors can continue to live in comfort and independence - right in their own community.

A New Office in Ward 8

We were especially excited to celebrate another first in our great city -- the opening of a new office in historic Anacostia that will house my office and the office of the new Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity.  I am looking forward to spending time at Shannon Place in Ward 8, as we work to create economic opportunity for residents in every corner of our city.

Love Does Not Discriminate

We also have a wonderful reason to celebrate with our LGBT friends and family. As you know, last week the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage is now legal in every state.  DC has long been a leader for equal rights, and we were one of the first jurisdictions in the country to embrace marriage equality. I am so pleased that every American will now enjoy the right to marry, regardless of where they live, or who they love.

Healthy Babies

I recently signed into law The Healthy Hearts of Babies Act.  This important legislation mandates that the Department of Health require hospitals and maternity centers to perform congenital heart defect screening, using pulse oximetry, on every newborn prior to releasing them from their care.  These tests will ensure that babies who are at risk of critical congenital heart disease receive treatment, so that they can live long and healthy lives.

Know Your Rights: Minimum Wage Increases

On Wednesday, the District’s minimum wage increased to $10.50, making our city one of the first to raise the minimum wage above $10. That day also marked the first day of stronger protections for workers’ rights and wellbeing.  Now, more people will have access to:

• Paid leave - when a worker or their family members are sick, or have a medical appointment
• Reasonable workplace conditions for women during their pregnancy
• Time off to care for babies after childbirth
• And adequate accommodations for mothers who are nursing

My administration remains committed to creating pathways to the middle class and ensuring workers’ rights are protected.

Re-Opening of 16th Street Bridge

Thanks to the hard working men and women at the District’s Department of Transportation, construction on the new 16th Street Bridge over Military Road has finished two weeks ahead of schedule. Over 33,000 vehicles use 16th Street each and every day. With innovative planning, design and construction methods, roads will open just in time for the 4th of July weekend.

Lifeguard Academy

I am delighted to partner with Councilmember LaRuby May on the pilot of a new Lifeguard Training Academy for Ward 8 residents.  In collaboration with the Office of Deputy Mayor for Education, and the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), we will prepare interested young people in Ward 8 for employment as certified Lifeguards with DPR.  The academy will focus on basic water skills and will help get candidates in shape to successfully complete the rigorous International Lifeguard Training Program (which is required to become certified).  The Ward 8 Lifeguard Training Academy is open to any Ward 8 resident between the ages of 16 and 24. The Training Academy is held at the Ferebee-Hope Aquatic Center, located at 3999 8th Street, SE. For more information, contact the office of Councilmember LaRuby May at (202) 724-8045.

Summer Reading: Every Hero Has a Story

School’s out, but the learning must continue. Check out the DC Public Library’s Summer Reading Program for ideas to help our young people in their continued learning. All kids and teens who reach their summer reading goal win two tickets to a Nationals baseball game. Kids, teens and adults who complete will also win free Chipotle. For more information on the summer reading program, visit here.

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.