June 17, 2016 | Volume 2, Issue 23
Dear Washingtonians,
Have you heard the news in Wards 7 and 8?
The District of Columbia's Department of Employment Services
reported today that the seasonally adjusted preliminary unemployment rate was
6.1 percent in May – down 0.3 percentage points from the reported April
unemployment rate. The unemployment rates in Ward 7 and Ward 8 continue
to show significant decline, demonstrating a 0.4 and 0.7 percent drop since
April.
In Ward 8, the unemployment rate is currently 11.3 percent, the
lowest since 2002 when the data was first calculated by Ward. In
Ward 7, the unemployment rate is 9.5 percent, the lowest since 2007. You
can read more HERE.
My Administration – along with our partners on the Council –
is working each and every day to ensure that all Washingtonians get a fair shot in our city. We are encouraged by
the most recent jobs numbers, particularly in Wards 7 and 8 where we know the
opportunity gap is most significant. Today’s promising report demonstrates that
our city is on the right path to ensure that District residents have the tools
and skills they need to land good paying jobs, providing them pathways to the
middle class.
While we are proud of this progress in growing and spreading
DC’s prosperity to all 8 wards, we know there is more work to be done. We will
continue to improve current job training programs and, with partners in the
private sector, create more job opportunities for residents. And finally, we
will raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour to ensure that all residents have a
fair shot.
I look forward to continuing to work with you to get more
Washingtonians back to work and part of our great city’s prosperity.
Sincerely,
Our
hearts continue to weigh heavy for those lost, the survivors, families, and
friends left behind. Any life lost to guns – here in the
District of Columbia, or across the country – is unacceptable.
Enough
is enough.
Washingtonians
have a stake in the national debate on guns, which is just one of many reasons
we continue to fight for statehood and full representation in Congress.
We deserve sensible gun laws. We deserve a vote in the laws that affect
our people and our neighborhoods. And with your help, one day we will get that
vote.
At the same time, we must continue to do what we can
here at home to get guns off the streets, and to protect lives. Last year, Mayor Bowser released Safer, Stronger DC, her public safety policy to do just that. And she remains vigilant in working to find new ways to make DC safe and strong.
The
New Columbia
Statehood Commission continues to take steps toward achieving
statehood for the District of Columbia. The Commission has released
a draft Constitution, hosted working group
meetings, and community town hall events. And this week, we are hosting
the Constitutional Convention.
The
Convention, a non-partisan gathering to discuss the proposed Constitution,
started on Monday and will continue tomorrow and Saturday. Residents interested
in attending the Convention can RSVP HERE. More information can be found at statehood.dc.gov.
I
hope to see you there. We could really use your help to achieve statehood
and full representation in Congress.
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WMATA’s
10-month long SafeTrack
repair campaign will begin to directly impact the District of Columbia this
weekend. From June 18 to July 3, WMATA will cease Metrorail operations between
Eastern Market and Minnesota/Benning Road. The shutdown will affect people
across the region, and commuters are urged to make alternate travel
plans. The shuttle buses being provided by WMATA will not be able to
accommodate all those who typically ride the system. For information on how to
get around during Surge 2, visit Safetrack.goDCgo.com.
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On
Monday, Mayor Bowser signed into law the Homeless Shelter Replacement Act of 2016. This
represents a milestone in the Bowser Administration's commitment to make
homelessness in the District, rare, brief and non-recurring. Mayor Bowser
expressed her gratitude to Chairman Mendelson and the entire DC Council, as
well as the thousands of District residents who proved, once again, that DC is
a compassionate and caring community. More information about the District’s
plans to close DC General can be found at mayor.dc.gov/homewarddc.
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ICYMI:
Tuesday was Primary Day in the District of Columbia. Residents from all eight
wards came out to vote. Check out the photo below of Ashley who is a Ward 1 resident and regular reader of this
newsletter.
This
Saturday, June 18, the Commission on Fathers, Men, and Boys is hosting a
day-long Father's Day Celebration at the Malcolm X Opportunity Center at 1351
Alabama Avenue, SE in Ward 8 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Join
in the fun with FREE food, workshops, activities, resources, and family fun
including:
- Family portraits
- Haircuts
- Health Screenings
- Employment Services
- Games.. and more!
Hope
to see you there! You can RSVP by visiting cfmb.dc.gov.
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Serve DC graduated
its first class of 2016 Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members
last Saturday. The CERT Program educates individuals about disaster
preparedness and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as
disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, team organization, fire
safety, and active shooter response.
CERT
graduates are equipped to assist others in their community following a disaster
when professional responders are not immediately available to help. Residents
interested in learning more about the CERT Program should contact CERT
Manager, Dr. Willie McElroy at (202) 727-7970.
The
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is the primary law enforcement agency for
the District of Columbia. It is the mission of the Metropolitan Police
Department to safeguard the District of Columbia and protect its residents and
visitors by providing the highest quality of police service with integrity,
compassion, and a commitment to innovation that integrates people, technology
and progressive business systems.
MPD
has an opening for a staff assistant to join their team. Responsibilities
include providing technical and administrative support in support of special
projects and day-to-day work activities, as well as preparing
correspondence, memorandum, and other reports. All details
regarding this vacancy, including qualifications, can be found by visiting the job announcement.
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