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Dear Friends,
Happy Summer!
Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent primary elections. We can never take the right to vote for granted and it is essential to exercise our civic rights during these turbulent times in our country. I am honored to have been re-elected and return for a second term to represent the residents of District 4. I look forward to welcoming my new colleagues.
As we look forward to the summer, the Council will be on recess for the July 4th holiday. There are many ways to celebrate here in Montgomery County, including celebrations in Kensington on July 3rd and in Germantown on July 4th. The July 3rd event will be held at Albert Einstein High School to help kick off Montgomery County’s 250th summer of memories and celebration. More information on both of these celebrations, which include fireworks, is available on the County website.
In preparing for the holiday weekend, please take care of yourselves and others during the extreme temperature conditions we will be facing in the region. Check that you have what you need to stay cool, make a plan for the hottest part of the day, and look out for neighbors who may need a hand. Make sure to call 911 if you experience any emergencies during this time. For more information visit the County website.
As always, feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or need assistance.
Sincerely,
 Kate Stewart
Councilmember
(she, her)
We had a busy couple of weeks honoring Juneteenth throughout Montgomery County. I was grateful to join celebrations in Kensington, the historic Black Scotland community, Germantown, and Takoma Park. Many congratulations to Lyttonsville’s Pat Tyson for being one of this year’s African American Living Legends and for all she does for our community!
Once again, it was a wonderful celebration of Pride in the Plaza this past weekend in Silver Spring! Thank you to the MoCo Pride Center, the Montgomery County Government, the performers, all the vendors, and everyone who came out to celebrate.
Our LGBTQIA+ community is facing many attacks. The U.S. Department of Education recently opened an investigation into MCPS’ policies on transgender students in sports, and yesterday the Supreme Court ruled that schools can determine eligibility for women’s and girls’ sports teams based on biological sex.
In Maryland, we stand for equity and inclusion. Members of our community, especially our children, deserve to be acknowledged for who they are. Here in Montgomery County, we will continue to create these spaces of authenticity and community which are essential in the growth, development, and quality of life not only for our children but for all members of the community as trans rights are under attack. I will continue to stand with transgender students and their families. If you or someone you know is in need of resources, consider reaching out to or visiting the MoCo Pride Center and our office is available as well.
Please read Maryland Attorney General Brown’s statement for additional information.
The recent Supreme Court decision on Temporary Protected Status allows the Trump administration to strip away legal status from thousands of people and threatens their safety overnight. In Montgomery County, we will continue to support, welcome, and embrace our refugee- and asylum-seeking communities.
In commemoration of World Refugee Day, celebrated every June 20th, I led the Council’s World Refugee Day Proclamation to uplift and honor the strength, courage, and resilience of more than 117 million people worldwide. Thank you to Amira Kamara from Asylum Works DC and Amy Wrona from Homes not Borders for sharing their stories, to Kerry Brodie from Emma’s Torch and Katie Kuennen from the Department of Health and Human Services for providing remarks, and to CASA, our Gilchrist Center, and the County Executive and Luisa Cardona for their support. You can watch the proclamation on the Council’s YouTube page.
Congratulations to Emma’s Torch on the opening of their new café location and flagship Culinary Training Center in Downtown Silver Spring! Emma’s Torch’s training center will instruct refugees in the culinary arts to prepare them for careers in the food industry. I am so excited to officially welcome them to our community!
We are working closely with the County Executive’s office to make sure we continue the work to support our community impacted by the cruel policies of the federal administration. Please reach out to our office if you need assistance.
The result of community advocacy and government partnership was on full display at the recent completion of the Old Farm Creek stream restoration project behind Luxmanor Elementary School. I had the honor to join with Luxmanor and Old Farm residents, D16 state colleagues, and the County Executive on a recent tour. I was proud to support continued funding for this project and appreciate the work of residents like Ruthie Lee, Abbe Milstein, and Sheri Weiss with the Department of Environmental Protection and Montgomery Parks staff to get this done.
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I am honored to have been named “Silver Spring Champion of Change” at the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Awards and Installation Event! The Chamber and I have done a great deal of work together, along with our police department and residents, to increase public safety in Downtown Silver Spring and protect legacy businesses along the Purple Line corridor. Thank you again to the GSSCC for this award, and congratulations to my fellow honorees!
Congratulations to Kefa Café on their 30th Anniversary! So great to celebrate this Downtown Silver Spring institution with many friends and neighbors. Visit them at their original location at 963 Bonifant Street in Silver Spring. You can watch a recap of the celebration on the Council’s YouTube page.
Bebe Moore Campbell National BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month
July honors Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, also recognized as BIPOC Mental Health Month. Bebe Moore Campbell was an author and advocate who raised awareness on the importance of mental health in Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities.
Visit the Mental Health America website for information on resources, a toolkit, screening tools, and more.
June Observed Men’s Health Awareness Month
The month of June observed Men's Health Awareness Month. The JED Foundation hosted "Understanding Boys and Young Men: A Webinar For Caretakers and Educators,” which discussed signals of emotional struggles among boys, how culture is reshaping their lives, and tips for building trust and starting conversations. Check out additional reports on this topic on the JED website.
The MCPS Summer Meals Program provides nutritious meals at no cost and is designed to provide food and nutrition when school is out.
The MCPS Department of Food and Nutrition Services (DFNS) is the Summer Food Service (SFSP) sponsor in Montgomery County and serves approximately 12,000 children across 120 summer meals locations each day.
Children ages 18 and under, and those above 18 with a disability who are enrolled in school programs may come to any of these locations for a nutritious meal. Locations in District 4 include: Rock Terrace School, Eastern Middle School, Highland View Elementary School, the Long Branch Community Recreation Center, East Silver Spring Elementary School, and Takoma Park Middle School.
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Office of Councilmember Kate Stewart
