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Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs Newsletter
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A message from the Director
Mi gente Latina,
From our Mayor Muriel Bowser and the MOLA team, we wish your holidays will be full of warmth and cheer! Washingtonians have a lot to be proud of as our city continues to prosper, and we know that we cannot overcome challenges without you. If you want to be part of DC’s comeback and serve DC communities, apply to DC jobs at together.dc.gov/jobs. In my 8 years as a public servant, it has been fulfilling to serve all the Washingtonians who want to make DC more inclusive and equitable for all Latinos. It is Mayor Muriel Bowser’s motto to stick together as “we believe that it is always possible to do more good for more people.” #DCvalues.
In November, MOLA assisted 618 Latino residents in applying for Healthcare, SNAP, and the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. I believe that the work we are doing is pivotal for the well-being of all Latinos in the District. In addition, this is demonstrated in our Clinica en tu Barrio event, where we partnered with Five Medicine, LAYC, Vida Senior Center, Whitman-Walker, Corazon Latino, Following Francis, UPO, CARECEN, and Capital Are Food Bank to provide chronic disease screening, maternal and child health education, and preventative screenings for high blood pressure and diabetes. This event was a success that brought different services to ward 4 residents. We work diligently day and night to ensure that Latinos are provided with the necessities that will allow them to prosper. When Latinos are prospering, DC is prospering.
In celebration of Thanksgiving, we distributed 268 baskets of food with hens and other essential ingredients to Latino households. After the giveaway, Latinos thanked us for all the food, and one Latino resident said, “I will have a warm Thanksgiving dinner because of Mayor Muriel Bowser and MOLA. Thank you so much for everything you do for our community.” I replied by saying, "It's my duty and an honor to serve you and your family." I want you all to remember that MOLA is here to support you. Join us at our upcoming festive holiday food giveaway on the 20th of December at the Frank D. Reeves Center.
Mayor Bowser is creating a stronger, more resilient, connected, and equitable DC. To get a glimpse of the important work happening across all eight wards, check her newsletter by clicking “Letter from the Mayor.” If you want to know more about how Mayor Bowser is investing in your communities, please make sure to read FY2023 Fair Shot Budget. You can also learn more about the events happening throughout Hispanic Heritage Month by visiting our Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter @OLADCGov. Also, to learn more about grant opportunities, language access, and other initiatives, read this new edition of La Voz de MOLA or call us at 202-671-2825.
Remember, MOLA is open, and we are here to serve you!
Estamos aquí para servirle,
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 Eduardo Perdomo
Executive Director
Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs (MOLA)
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Agency Updates
 
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 On the 1st of November, Director Perdomo and the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs (MOCA), Director Reyes-Yanes, gathered to honor the memories of our loved ones, and the moments we shared together with them, shaping us into the person we are today. Each participant shared a story and put a candle in the altar to let their loved ones know that they are thinking about them. In addition, MOLA partnered with Petworth Arts Collaborative to provide support for the ofrenda that you see below and the Mariachi Band. Thank you, Petworth for continuing the Día de los Muertos tradition in our communities.
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 On the 5th of November, the Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs met the Latino residents of Ward 3 at Open Streets. We had the best time talking to residents about our upcoming events and riding bikes, and scooters with DC residents. #OpenStreets
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 On the 9th of November, on behalf of Mayor Muriel Bowser, Director Perdomo attended the “Achieving the Dream” scholarship fundraiser to help support adult immigrants from Carlos Rosario School. We were honored to meet so many amazing culinary artists, who continue to fulfill their dreams and become part of our DC communities! #SOMOSDC
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On the 11th of November, on behalf of Mayor Muriel Bowser, Director Perdomo honored Caribbean veterans with the Mayor’s Office on Caribbean Community Affairs. It was an honor to learn about your experiences and values. We are thankful for your service. We will continue to celebrate all the veterans' great contributions to DC and our great nation.
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On behalf of Mayor Muriel Bowser, Happy National Pupusa Day! On the 13th of November, Director Perdomo and Director Reyes-Yanes celebrated the pupusa a famous Salvadorian dish. Community members who participated were able to learn how to make pupusas, share stories about why it is their favorite dish, and listen to Latino music. #SOMOSDC
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On the 16th of November, on behalf of Mayor Muriel Bowser, MOLA hosted Clinica en tu Barrio in partnership with Five Medicine and various Latino community-based organizations. This event helps reduce health equity in the District by providing essential health screenings to ward 4 Latinos. Director Perdomo handed out food to Latinos and was screened for diabetes. Health screenings are preventative care mechanisms that catch health concerns early on. #SOMOSDC
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 On the 19th of November, on behalf of Mayor Muriel Bowser, Director Perdomo made opening remarks at the GWHCC Gala and talked to stakeholders about the importance of DC’s economic comeback. Director Perdomo was excited to celebrate the honorees of the night. In the picture below you can see the honorees. Shown from right to left: Manny Cosme, Angela Neira, Carolina Gomez, Sonia Gutierrez, and Mario Acosta-Velez.
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 On the 21st of November, on behalf of Mayor Muriel Bowser, Director Perdomo, MPD Latino Liaison and Latino community members distributed hens and other essential ingredients to Latino for their Thanksgiving dinner. We gave out 268 food baskets, one per household. We enjoyed meeting new Latinos and want to thank you for being such an active part of our community!
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 This month Director Perdomo and the grants department took part in two meetings. The first one was the Post Award Conference for the Latino Community Development Grant (LCDG) in which 64 grantees attended, and learned about compliance with the grant agreement, site visits, financial support, required documentation and the ZoomGrants portal. Director Perdomo affirmed the importance of grantees community-based organizations, as he said, “Last year, the LCDG grantees haver served 43,011 Latinos in civic engagement, 10,237 Latinos in Health & Wellness, and 7,286 in Education. Your community-based organization is part of building community and trust in the District.”
The second meeting was the Immigrant Justice Legal Service Grant (IJLS). Director Perdomo provided welcoming remarks for the 25 grantees. This was the first FY23 meeting to discuss deadlines and review compliancy. We are excited to see our grantees continue to provide legal services to immigrant residents in the District. These services include Know Your Rights trainings, pro bono legal service, educational materials, and technical assistance. In the meeting, Director Perdomo emphasized the importance of these services for those immigrants who call DC their home.
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Stories of Success:
DC Safe: Survivors and Advocates for Empowerment, Inc.
For December, the Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs is proud to highlight DC Scores. DC SCORES uses various mechanisms that teach students how to actively engage in their community and learn from their peers. This is demonstrated in their Poetry Slam competitions that took place on November 15, 16, and 17. In total 40 schools performed their poems, which discussed various topics on social, economic, and political issues, as well as showing language diversity in their poems, speaking Spanish, Amharic, and Mandarin, and incorporated music, and dance. Director Perdomo provided opening remarks, emphasizing how DC SCORES helps develops kids’ minds, bodies, and souls giving them the confidence and skills they need to succeed in any field. Mayor Muriel Bowser commends DC SCORES for increasing kids' confidence and creating a positive impact in their lives.
Mayor Muriel Bowser and the MOLA team is proud to witness community partners like DC SCORES serving the District’s youth through soccer, poetry and service learning. We cannot wait to hear how DC SCORES continues promote a healthy and positive lifestyle in DC’s youth!
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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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