Mayor
Muriel Bowser

Director of Mayor's Office of Community Affairs  
Lamont Akins

Jackie Reyes-Yanes,
Executive Director

Camilo Manjarres,
Director of Operations

Marjhorys Ibarguen,
Public Information Officer

Dian Lammy,
Special Assistant

Eduardo Perdomo,
Grants Management Coordinator

Tamira Benitez,
Grants Monitor

Ingrid Gutierrez,
Community Outreach Coordinator

Alexis Valdovinos,
Community Outreach Specialist

Ronal Avila,
Language Access Coordinator

Angela Gonzalez,
Language Access Monitor

In This Issue

• Letter from the Mayor
• A message from the Executive Director
• Agency Updates
• Announcements
• Why Do I count?

• Meet our new Team members

• Partnership Spotlight - DC Government Programs

• Upcoming Events

A message from the Executive Director

Querida Comunidad, Happy fresh start DC! This year we are beginning with all the energy and positive attitude to serve our community. Mayor Muriel Bowser is always advocating for immigrant communities across the country. A case in point is the letter that she wrote last month to federal government regarding the increase of citizenship and immigration services fees, Mayor Muriel Bowser stated:   “...This rule significantly increases the fee structure associated with the submission of almost every document related to immigration, which will undoubtedly have a disproportionate effect on low- and middle-income immigrants...Over the past two years, my office and community partners have assisted thousands of our city’s residents to naturalize, obtain visas, apply for Lawful Permanent Residency status, and renew their DACA status. Through our work, which touches thousands of people, we have seen firsthand how the current fee schedule acts as a barrier to immigrants pursuing citizenship through legal avenues.” Mayor Muriel Bowser  As a proud member of Mayor Bowser's administration, we are thrilled to offer incredible services to our constituents. We also continue working with our community-based organizations on the crucial task of improving DC Latino residents' lives. This is why the promotion and fulfillment of Mayor Bowser #DCValues is one of the top priorities of our office.   Continuing with our commitment to ensure that all Latinos get counted in the upcoming Census 2020, I want to thank my staff for all their dedication to MOLA’s community chats. Every Tuesday, we visit different schools, stores, libraries, and local businesses to deliver the message that it is crucial for the Latino community to get counted in the Census across all 8 wards. We all matter to Mayor Bowser, so make sure that you and every person in your household gets counted, from newborns to seniors, #GetCountedDC.  Furthermore, we were humbled and proud to join a ceremony honoring the Virgin of Altagracia, which is organized in the city by the Dominican community. It was such an honor to be a part of this grand ceremony that brings together many people of faith around the District of Columbia.  Lastly, in a cultural and joyful ceremony, together with the DC Afro Latino Caucus and Gala Theatre, we paid tribute to Francisco Rigores, who touched the hearts of many DC residents and helped youth through the arts, music, and dance in this city.  So, in this 2020 stay tuned and get ready to learn more about the exciting work that Mayor Muriel Bowser is doing to protect immigrants in the District. Also, don’t forget to join us at the Budget Engagement Forums; this is an opportunity to let us know your budget priorities for the next fiscal year. For more information please subscribe to our monthly newsletter, visit our website mola.dc.gov, and follow and like us on our social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  Thank you for being so faithful to La Voz de MOLA Newsletter. See you next month!  ¡Mil Gracias and Happy Year of the Rat!   Jackie Reyes-Yanes Executive Director Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs (MOLA)

Mayor Bowser Kicked off the New Year!

Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Department of Parks and Recreation hosted the Annual Fit DC Fresh Start 5K Run/Walk across the historic Anacostia Park in order to start a fresh new year in the Bowser Administration. Our MOLA team joined hundreds of DC residents coming for all 8 wards in DC for a morning full of fun fitness and healthy activities for all ages.

Mayor Muriel Bowser presented the Multicultural Resource Fair!

Mayor Muriel Bowser and her Office of Community Affairs hosted the first Multicultural Resources Fair of the year for immigrant communities in the city. Many of our grantees participated in the fair, providing useful information, screening tests, and know your rights workshops to all the constituents who attended. The event included fun activities for the whole family; children had the opportunity to enjoy painting and dancing during the sessions. Services were provided in Spanish, French, Mandarin, and other languages.

Financial Aid Opportunities for DC Students

Staff of the Office of the State Superintendent of Education visited MOLA to share relevant information on how we can better inform our constituents regarding the DC Tag and Mayor’s Scholars program. Staff from the Mayor's Office on African Affairs, Mayor's Office on Asian & Pacific Islander Affairs, and the non-profit organization Latino Student Fund also joined the conversation, so we all can be ready to connect the community with these excellent programs. As a reminder, the application process starts on 02/01, please be timely & apply early. For more info visit: http://osse.dc.gov/dctag

6th Annual Hispanic Leadership Health Symposium

Director Reyes gave special remarks at the 6th Annual Hispanic Leadership Health Symposium. DC ranks 2nd in the nation among all states for the lowest uninsured rate, with almost 97% of DC residents covered. Director Reyes proudly thanked DC HealthLink and other partners who have worked hard to ensure that all Latinos have access to health insurance and receive quality services in DC. In her remarks, Director Reyes assured that MOLA will continue to work diligently to increase awareness and knowledge of all Latinos regarding health insurance resources.

Mayor Muriel Bowser Presented her Accountability Report 2020

With a full house Mayor Muriel Bowser presented her Accountability Report, which provides a comprehensive look about the goals and priorities for 2020. The event was followed by a series of panel discussions in housing that included the goal to produce 36,000 more affordable housing units for 2025 across all 8 wards; a #FairShot panel about Free Ride, Pave DC, safety, and transportation programs, and a panel regarding the $5 million that the Bowser Administration will invest in expanding the MPD crime cameras program in the city.

DC Census Community Chat at Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School

Our outreach team participated in the Spring assemblies at the Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School as part of MOLA’s weekly Census-themed community chats. Our team highlighted the importance of filling out the census in order to ensure that the school’s resources and programs are properly funded in the upcoming year. Our outreach team did an extraordinary job in encouraging families, students, and members of the school’s community to fill out the form and be counted in this year’s census.

Great Conversation with DC Police at the Bias Crimes Response and Investigations Class

Director Reyes was invited to speak at the Washington Metropolitan Police Department’s Bias Crime Response and Investigation class. Director Reyes talked about the Latino immigrant population in DC and had a productive conversation that touched upon the shared values and goals that Mayor Muriel Bowser advocates for. The Mayor’s Office on Asian & Pacific Islander Affairs, Mayor’s Office on African Affairs, and the Mayor’s Office on LGBTQ Affairs also participated and talked about the various communities in DC  to ensure that the DC Metropolitan Police Department is responding in the most efficient way, especially in relation to bias crimes.

MOLA* Latino Census-Themed Immigration Committee

MOLA* continues to meet with various local community organizations in DC in order to ensure that the Latino community is fairly represented in the 2020 census. This month MOLA spoke with Mary’s Center, the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN), the Casa Ruby LGBT Community Center, and the Latino Economic Development Center. The primary goal of these meetings was to discuss ways to support Mayor Bowser and the DC Census in reaching the entire Latino population and increase awareness of the 2020 Census.

*Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs

MOLA Celebrates the Completion of The Entrepreneur Training for Success Program

Director Jackie Reyes-Yanes attended the Entrepreneur Training for Success (ETS) event to congratulate 12 Latino women for the successful completion of the course presented by Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC). Director Reyes was on the panel of judges and gave feedback to the trainees on the development of their business plans. The trainees also shared their experiences in the ETS course and Director Reyes commended these women for their work. The event marked the end of the course and was a great opportunity to learn about the benefits of LEDC programs. 

DC residents honored Martin Luther King Jr. in a Large Parade!

The Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs team joined Mayor Muriel Bowser and the family of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in a peaceful march in the District of Columbia to celebrate his life and legacy.

In addition, Mayor Muriel Bowser, who honored Dr. King Jr., took the opportunity to remind everyone the importance of Washington, DC getting statehood status in the country.

Meeting with Moms Demand Action on Latino Community Outreach & Engagement

Director Reyes met with volunteers from Moms Demand’s DC chapter, a grassroots movement that focuses on addressing issues with gun violence in the United States. Director Reyes, Moms Demand Action and representatives from the Mayor’s Office on Women’s Policy Initiatives discussed effective strategies to improve outreach and engagement efforts with the Latino community in regards to Mayor Bower’s programs focusing on preventing gun violence in the city.

Partnership with Instituto de Dominicanos y Dominicanas en el Exterior (INDEX) & Fiesta DC

Director Reyes met with INDEX to discuss a partnership with Fiesta DC 2020. Fiesta DC, Inc., is a non-profit organization that celebrates its growing Latino community in DC by sponsoring and supporting various events throughout the year. Director Reyes met to touch base with INDEX on this year's festival where the Dominican Republic will be the origin country.

Fiesta DC's first meeting will take place on Saturday, February 1st, at 9:00 am at the Frank D. Reeves Center (2000 14th, NW).