February 22, 2018 | Vol. 4, Issue 8
Dear
Washingtonians,
Earlier this month, my Administration launched A Fair Shot: A Toolkit for African American Prosperity, a first-of-its-kind resource for District residents. The toolkit provides an overview of the many District-funded programs and services that support Washingtonians in reaching pathways to the middle class.
Washington, DC is known for being an inclusive city, a city with a rich local history where people and cultures from across the country and around the world are represented. And as we grow and change, we want to keep our city this way. To do this, we must be intentional about preserving our history and culture. We must ensure that we are doing all we can, as a government and a community, to break down barriers, close opportunity gaps, and create new pathways to the middle class for Washingtonians. In that regard, A Fair Shot: A Toolkit for African American Prosperity is more than an overview of programs - it is a road map for how to thrive and prosper in our city.
This Saturday, February 24, we are hosting A Fair Shot: African American Job and Prosperity Fair, a live showcase of the programs and tools featured in the toolkit. The fair will feature breakout sessions on jobs, entrepreneurship, homeownership, and financial wellness, and attendees will have the opportunity to speak to representatives from DC Government about the programs and resources in the toolkit.
Together, we can ensure that more Washingtonians have the opportunity to participate in our city's prosperity.
Sincerely,
While budget season never truly ends,
right now, the Bowser Administration is in the midst of one of the most critical and exciting stages
- adjusting the budget to most accurately reflect our city's values and
priorities. And the Budget Engagement Forums are one more opportunity for Mayor Bowser to hear directly from residents - before the budget is finalized - about how you want to see DC's money spent.
Residents have two more opportunities to attend a Budget Engagement Forum:
-
Thursday, February 22 at Watkins Elementary School (Ward 6)
-
Saturday, February 24 at Kramer Middle School (Ward 8)
RSVP for a forum and learn more HERE, and go to engagement.dc.gov
to learn more about how to get involved in the budget process and to play the
DC Budget Challenge.
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On February 12, the Trump Administration released its 2019 budget proposal. Among the many problematic cuts in the budget is the elimination of funding for the DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG) program.
For nearly two decades, both Democrats and Republicans in Congress have supported this one-of-a-kind program that expands educational opportunities for college-bound Washingtonians by providing grants of up to $10,000 toward tuition. Over the years, more than 26,000 young people have benefitted from DCTAG, with the vast majority of those students coming from families with annual incomes of less than $30,000.
Tell Congress to preserve funding for this critical program by signing the petition at SaveDCTAG.dc.gov. Then, share the petition with your friends and family across the country.
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The My School DC application for school year 2018-2019 is open for grades PK3-8 until 11:59 p.m. on March 1, 2018. Families can submit a lottery application at MySchoolDC.org. Lottery results will be announced on March 31, 2018 and families will have until May 1, 2018 to accept a space at a school at which they are matched.
Learn more about the lottery application HERE.
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This
week’s District Minute features stories about the unveiling of the recently restored portrait of Frederick Douglass in the John A. Wilson Building, the groundbreaking of the new Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, the Frederick Douglass 5K and Oxon Run Trail ribbon-cutting, and the grand opening of the new Engine Company 22 at The Parks at Walter Reed.
The Department of Employment Services
(DOES) provides comprehensive employment services to ensure a competitive
workforce, full employment, life-long learning, economic stability, and the
highest quality of life for all District residents.
DOES has an opening for a Technical Writer. This position is responsible for planning, developing, organizing, writing, and editing procedures, policies, and manuals. All details regarding this vacancy, including qualifications, can be found by visiting the job announcement.
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