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Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs Newsletter
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Mayor Newsletter
Dear Washingtonians,
This week, I provided a public safety update as well as a COVID-19 situational update. If you were unable to watch, you can find both updates below. During the public safety update, we highlighted the importance of our entire community and criminal justice system working together to prevent violence before it happens and to hold people accountable when it does.
Watch the public safety update HERE, and read the public safety update HERE.
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A message from the Executive Director
Querida Comunidad,
DC is Open! This month Mayor Bowser announced the return of in-person services as DC government employees are back to their workplaces. While DC Government continues offering online options, constituents may now walk in to government agencies such as the Department of Human Services (DHS), the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), the American Job Centers at the Department of Employment Services (DOES), among others; and of course, we remind you that the Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs is here to connect you and help you navigate DC government services and resources in Spanish!
As we enjoy the DC summer, we encourage you to take the time to plan and prepare for the upcoming 2021-22 School Year. Please make sure that your children are up to date with their required immunizations and well-child visits; you can either go to your doctor/health clinic or, starting in August, you will also have the option to make appointments for required immunizations though vaccinate.dc.gov. While COVID-19 vaccinations are not required to attend school, Mayor Bowser and the DC Department of Health highly recommend that all students 12 years and older get vaccinated against COVID-19. For schedules and vaccination opportunities please go here.
MOLA continues informing DC Latino constituents about the STAY DC rental assistance program and assists them in completing their applications. Our amazing outreach team and outstanding Summer Youth Employment Program participants are working around the clock to conduct outreach via our food distributions, telephone calls, social media, text messaging and in-person interactions to walk our community members through the application process and if eligible, assist them to fill our their online applications and follow up until they obtain a resolution. Please do not forget that there is still time to apply! For more information please call our office or visit the STAY DC website here.
The District has been experiencing devastating incidents that threaten the safety of our community such as the death of a six-year-old girl and a shooting incident outside our Nationals Park. Mayor Bowser is advocating with local and federal institutions to support the District in addressing gun violence. During a recent meeting with President Biden, Mayor Bowser shared information about the wholistic approach and investments that DC government is implementing to address safety issues; Mayor Bowser also highlighted the need to maximize federal resources and services such as the full reopening of local courts and supervision agencies. As always I would like to remind our community to report any suspicious activity by calling 911 or making a report using iWatch.
And last but not least: The Salvadoran community in DC organized the event Mi Pequeño El Salvador to celebrate Salvadoran-American Day, which takes place every year on August 6th and has been recognized by US Congress as an occasion to honor the legacy and contributions of Salvadoran immigrants to the United States. MOLA was excited to support this community initiative which was held in Mount Pleasant Street on August 7th and included a legal and health resource fair, cultural and musical performances, a Saint Romero memorial, and activities for children; team MOLA signed up constituents to support them with their STAY DC applications. This event was also a great opportunity to support small businesses all along the Mount Pleasant corridor.
That’s all for now. Please make sure to follow MOLA’s social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, you can also contact our office at 202-671-2825 to subscribe to our text messages, newsletters and email messages.
¡Mil Gracias!
Jackie Reyes-Yanes
Executive Director
Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs (MOLA)
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MOLA Updates
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Our Summer Youth Employment Program participants continued gaining professional experience through their job placements and learning helpful skills! The Washington Urban Debate League facilitated a workshop to youth participants on debating and public speaking. Participants learned tips about managing presentation nerves, preparing for virtual presentations, how to connect with audiences and other tricks! Some participants were able to put their skills to practice as they gave a presentation to DC government employees regarding their experience assisting Latino constituents with STAY DC applications; SYEP youth also participated in a Mock Hearing on August 6th and received a financial literacy training from our partner organizations Life Asset and Capital Area Asset Builders and received valuable information about immigration rights from Catholic Charities.
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MOLA assisted the Salvadoran community as they prepared to offer their Mi Pequeño El Salvador event on August 7th to celebrate Salvadoran-American-Day. The event highlighted the culture, gastronomy, history and legacy of Salvadorans in Washington, DC and in Mount Pleasant and was also an opportunity for visitors to support small businesses all along the Mount Pleasant corridor. This event is part of the Pequeño El Salvador initiative which is developing a series of activities to recognize Salvadoran immigrants who established roots in Mount Pleasant and have contributed to the social and economic development of Washington, DC and the United States.
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MOLA’S Language Access Department is in the process of conducting its yearly in-person check-ins with government agencies covered under the Language Access Act. The main purpose of the check-ins is to learn first-hand about the language access practices of DC agencies, and assist them in meeting their language access goals as they serve DC Spanish-speaking constituents who have limited or no knowledge of the English language. During the visits, our language access monitor meets with agencies’ language access coordinators and provides feedback on appropriate placement of Spanish signage and accessibility of vital documents at the agencies’ public facing areas. Our monitor also provides feedback and recommendations on best practices in providing language access services to the Spanish speaking community and discusses opportunities for collaborations.
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During the month of July, MOLA provided on a weekly basis over 900 servings of fresh produce from our partners, Capital Area Food Bank, DC Central Kitchen and Francis on the Hill. Each week our volunteers eagerly assist us in serving our constituents while our team focuses on providing information on STAYDC, utility assistance, vaccination sites, as well as information on the federal EBB internet program, which offers discounts and full coverage of internet costs to eligible households and households with children. The DC Office of People’s Counsel also participated by providing promotional bags with information regarding the agency’s services.
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In an effort to ensure that the Latino community takes full advantage of the STAY DC rental and utility assistance program, Team MOLA provides one-on-one support on a daily basis to our constituents to complete their application. STAY DC is a financial assistance program for D.C. renters and housing providers who are looking for support to cover housing and utility expenses and offset the loss of income. Apply today to receive money that will help you pay for your rent, gas, water, and electricity. If you need or know someone that needs assistance, please contact MOLA at 202-671-2825.
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Team MOLA joined Mayor Bowser during her Fourth of July Parade at Palisades in Ward 3! Our team, together with some of our SYEP youth, had an exciting time walking with our Mayor and government employees and interacting with community members to celebrate the independence of the United States. Our team and youth were thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in this activity which is a yearly tradition and on this occasion served as a reminder to everyone that DC is open! Earlier that day Mayor Bowser also led a parade at Barracks Row in Ward 6.
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In July, Mayor Muriel Bowser launched the “Experience DC” Campaign with the purpose of reminding everyone that DC is open and of encouraging local residents and out-of-state travelers to explore DC and enjoy everything that the city has to offer. MOLA’s Director Jackie Reyes-Yanes was excited to attend one of the events around this campaign which highlighted two of DC’s greatest iconic institutions: Ben’s Chili Bowl, a long-standing landmark eatery in Washington, D.C. famous for its chili dogs, and Go-Go dance, a popular fusion of many different musical forms, including funk, blues, soul, and salsa that originated in Washington, DC in the mid-60s and became the official music of Washington DC in 2020.
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Metro DC Hispanic Contractors Association (Metro/DC HCA), in partnership with Gilbane & Turner Construction Companies, Balt /DC Building Trade Unions, and the DC United soccer team, celebrated their 6th Annual Gala Fundraiser at the Audi Field. Director Jackie Reyes–Yanes received a recognition for her diligent and tireless work in support of the Latino community throughout the pandemic. During her remarks, Director Reyes thanked Pedro Alfonso, Carlos Perdomo, Jose Sueiro, and Josh Lopez for their leadership and commitment to creating hundreds of jobs for DC Latinos.
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Because sharing is caring! MOLA recently received a visit from our colleagues at the Mayor’s Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Affairs (MOLGBTQA) and the Mayor’s Office on Returning Citizen Affairs (MORCA) who donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to our office to be distributed to our Latino constituents in Washington, DC. The MOLGBTQA serves the District’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning residents. MORCA serves formerly incarcerated individuals and serves as the principal contact point for returning citizens in the District. If you or someone you know would like to contact MOLGBTQA please call 202-727-9493 or send an email to lgbtq@dc.gov; if you would like to contact MORCA please call (202) 715-7670 or send and email to orca@dc.gov.
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Get ready! The new school year begins on August 30th! Make sure you follow all the necessary steps below to get your student ready for classes!
FAMILY CHECKLIST
1. Enroll your student today at dc.gov!
2. If needed, complete the medical eligibility form if your student requires virtual learning by July 30.
3. Make a wellness appointment for your student and make sure they receive the necessary immunizations.
4. Review the information for afterschool programming for next school year. Registration is now open at dc.gov/afterschool.
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This month MOLA would like to recognize Ms. Silvia Garrick for her outstanding work at the DC Office of People’s Counsel and for implementing creative language access and outreach practices as the agency serves Spanish speaking DC residents.
Ms. Garrick ensures that every document that gets translated at OPC is readily available at the agency’s front desk by displaying vital documents, brochures and announcements in the six primary languages served by the agency, including Spanish. These materials are also available and accessible at OPC’s website which includes creative content such as a “Fotonovela” in Spanish explaining the agencies’ services. Ms. Garrick and her agency are also making an increased effort to utilize OPC’s social media channels to disseminate information in Spanish and other languages in a timely manner.
Ms. Garrick has also developed diverse partnerships to ensure that Spanish speaking constituents have full access to information about OPC’s services. An example is the collaboration that she has developed with non-profit organizations and agencies handling immigration matters such as CARECEN and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) where she joins informational workshops to educate participants about her agency and its services. OPC is also a frequent collaborator of MOLA’s food distributions and senior events providing bags, promotional products and informational materials for our constituents.
We thank Ms. Garrick and OPC for their service to DC’s Latino community!
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The Multicultural Summer Youth Employment Program FY21 is a locally funded initiative sponsored by the Department of Employment Services (DOES) which has been providing enriching and constructive work experience to youth participants ages 14-24 for the past three weeks. Five Community-Based Organizations were selected to receive funding to serve as a host organization site: Gala Theatre, Hola Cultura, Latin American Youth Center, Latino Student Fund and Multicultural Career Intern Program.
These organizations have been supporting youth participants by creating educational programs that encompass culturally competent direct services to low-income Latino residents and help participants develop hard and soft skills to achieve academic and career success. This year, programs are focusing on Mayor Bowser’s priority areas of Jobs and Economic Development, Education, Health and Wellness, Arts and Creative Economy and raising awareness about COVID-19, including vaccinations.
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Upcoming Events
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Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs (MOLA)
mola.dc.gov
202-671-2825
2000 14th Street NW, Ste. 206
Washington, DC 20009
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