November 21, 2019 | Vol. 5, Issue 47
Dear Washingtonians,
By now you have noticed: Hypothermia Season is here. And when the weather turns cold, many residents have the same question: What can I do to help neighbors experiencing homelessness? Start by saving the Shelter Hotline number in your phone. The number is (202) 399-7093 (you can also reach the hotline by dialing 311). You can call the Shelter Hotline to request transportation to a shelter for a resident experiencing homelessness. When calling, you will be asked to provide a location as well as a description of the person you are requesting transportation for. If you believe that a person is experiencing a medical emergency, you should call 911.
During Hypothermia Season (November 1 – March 31), the District provides outreach and assistance, welfare checks, warming items, and transportation to shelter 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Furthermore, whenever a Hypothermia Alert is called, we expand shelter capacity to ensure that there is a warm bed available for everyone who needs one. (Residents can sign up to receive notifications about when a Hypothermia Alert has been issued at alertdc.dc.gov.)
I am grateful for all our community partners who work every day to provide outreach and support to residents experiencing homelessness. As we continue working to make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring, it will take all of us working together to keep every resident safe. Thank you for doing your part.
Sincerely,
 Mayor Bowser recently announced that Whitman-Walker Health has signed a lease to build a state-of-the-art health center on the St. Elizabeths East Campus. The facility will provide critical health care services to 15,000 clients annually in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Ward 8.
The new 116,000-square-foot center will provide primary, behavioral, dental, and substance misuse treatment services, expanding on the services currently provided at Whitman-Walker’s Max Robinson Center located at 2301 Martin Luther King Jr Avenue, SE. The development will also include a ground-floor pharmacy, a new home for Whitman-Walker’s Youth Services, and administrative office space for over 100 Whitman-Walker staff.
Learn more HERE.
Back to Top
 Last week, Mayor Bowser launched the District’s first self-service kiosk that will allow District residents to perform their own vehicle emissions tests on a 24 hour, seven days a week basis.
Operated by the DC Department of Motor Vehicles, the on-board diagnostic emissions kiosk is located at the Takoma Recreation Center (300 Van Buren Street, NW). The ATM-style kiosk includes touch screen technology, an integrated VIN bar code scanner, step-by-step audio support, and other user-friendly features. The kiosk is available for vehicle model years 2005 and newer.
Learn more HERE.
Back to Top
 The Mayor’s Office of the Clean City recently installed nine new pet amenity stations to expand the reach of the District’s “Pride Is Picking Up” education campaign. The bag dispenser stations will help remind dog owners to pick up after their pets, keeping their neighborhoods clean, safe, and healthy for people and dogs alike.
The dispensers carry humorous and uplifting messages to remind dog owners of their responsibilities. Dispensers are now available in the following neighborhoods: Columbia Heights, LeDroit Park, 14th Street NW corridor, AU Park, Brightwood, Brentwood, Edgewood, Trinidad, Benning, Burrville, Capitol View, Marshall Heights, River Terrace, Rosedale, Anacostia, Bellevue, Fairlawn, and Fort Stanton. Dispensers are maintained by volunteers, and residents interested in volunteering should email cleancity@dc.gov.
Learn more HERE.
Back to Top
This week’s District Minute features stories about Ruby Bridges day, the new DMV self-service kiosk, and last week's Go Go Music Awards.
 The mission of the Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS) is to provide high-quality, timely, accurate, and reliable forensic science services using best practices and best available technology, focusing on unbiased science and transparency, to enhance public safety and health.
DFS has an opening for a Forensic Scientist (Firearms & Toolmark Analyst). This position is responsible for analyzing a limited range of firearms evidence utilizing a variety of techniques and processes. All details regarding this vacancy, including qualifications, can be found by visiting the job announcement.
Back to Top
|
