Community Connections Newsletter

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Friday, November 19, 2021

Prince George's Proud:

An Update From County Executive Alsobrooks

Dear Prince Georgians:

As we enter the holiday season, we are so thankful that we will have the opportunity to fellowship with loved ones in ways we could not last year. As we approach Thanksgiving, we want to take this opportunity to remind residents of the importance of remaining safe and healthy. We know that so many of you are excited to be able to safely gather and spend some much-needed time with your families and friends, and we want to be sure that Prince Georgians are able to celebrate safely and truly enjoy this holiday season.

That’s why beginning Monday, November 22, the County Health Department and the Office of Emergency Management will provide COVID-19 testing at the Bunker Hill Fire Station (3716 Rhode Island Ave, Brentwood, MD 20722). COVID-19 tests are free regardless of insurance coverage and will be available to County residents Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, on a walk-in basis only.

Regardless of your vaccination status, we encourage you to get tested to keep your families and friends safe during this season, especially if you are travelling. We want to thank Prince Georgians for the tremendous progress we have made in slowing the spread of this virus in our community, and we ask that you please remain vigilant in our fight to end this pandemic.

Free COVID-19 testing is also available at a variety of health care providers across Prince George’s County. For additional guidance on how to safely celebrate the holiday or to find a testing site near you, please visit the County Health Department’s webpage here.

Lastly, I want to thank our Department of Public Works & Transportation, Department of the Environment, community partners, and the nearly 3,000 Prince Georgians of all ages who participated in our Fall Growing Green with Pride Day on Saturday, October 30. I am proud to share that 48,800 pounds of litter and debris were collected at 119 locations throughout our County. Volunteers also installed mulch, plants, shrubs, trees, and more in their neighborhoods and communities.

We need the support of all Prince Georgians when it comes to keeping our County clean and beautiful. We all have a hand in making Prince George’s County what we want it to be, and how we want it to look. Greatness does grow here, and we need to provide an environment that allows that greatness to continue to grow for generations to come.

Yours in service,

Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George’s County Executive


Bunker Hill

GGWP Thank You

COVID-19 Updates

Stand Up & Deliver

SU&D Logo

We are continuing to work hard to address food insecurity in our County, and we want to provide information on upcoming distribution locations for our Stand Up & Deliver program.

Friday, November 19 at 12:30 PM (Groceries)

  • Faith Temple No. 2 Free Will Baptist Church – 211 Maryland Park Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20747
  • Turner Memorial A.M.E. Church – 7201 16th Place, Hyattsville, MD 20783
  • Victory Grace Center at Port Towns Elementary School – 4351 58th Place, Bladensburg, MD 20710

Saturday, November 20 at 10:00 AM (Groceries)

  • Kingdom Fellowship at High Point High School – 3601 Powder Mill Road, Beltsville, MD 20705

Saturday, November 20 11:30 AM (Groceries)

  • United Baptist Church – 7701 Riverdale Road, New Carrollton, MD 20784

Monday, November 22 at 10:00 AM (Groceries)

  • Maple Springs Baptist Church – 4131 Belt Road, Capitol Heights, MD 20748

Tuesday, November 23 at 10:00 AM (Groceries)

  • Glassmanor Elementary School – 1011 Marcy Avenue, Oxon Hill, MD 20745

Saturday, November 27 at 10:00 AM (Groceries)

  • Ebenezer Church of God – 7550 Buchanan Street, Landover Hills, MD 20784
  • First Baptist Church of Highland Park – 6801 Sheriff Road, Landover, MD 20785

Saturday, November 27 at 12:00 PM (Groceries)

  • New Home Baptist Church – 8320 Landover Road, Landover, MD 20785
  • Love A.M.E. Church at Capitol Heights Elementary School – 601 Suffolk Avenue, Capitol Heights, MD 20783

Additional food distribution locations can be found on our website by clicking here. This map is updated regularly. If you are able to make a contribution to our Stand Up & Deliver program, please click here to donate.


Beautification Initiatives

Hometown Hero: The Denney House

Denney House

The Denney House's "Project Clean Water" teaches about the impact our environment has on our water sources. Their dedication to our County's water makes them Hometown Heroes. See our heroes at The Denney House and learn more by visiting the Prince George’s County Part of It, Proud of It beautification campaign.


Hometown Hero: Ruby Stemmle

Ruby Stemmle

Ruby Stemmle, Founder & CEO of EcoLatinos, is committed to social and environmental justice and activism. EcoLatinos' fight for environmental education and action makes them hometown heroes. Learn more by visiting EcoLatinos and the Prince George’s County Part of It, Proud of It beautification campaign.


OCR is Growing Green with Pride

OCR GGWP

The Office of Community Relations (OCR) spanned out across the County to assist the Hillcrest Heights-Marlow Heights Civic Association, Suitland Civic Association, and the Dupont Village Neighborhood Watch, with community beautification by participating in the County Executive’s Growing Green with Pride initiative. There was a strong focus on cleaning not only the main corridors, but the side streets of each respective community. Over three sites, OCR collected over 30 bags of trash, 10 tires, and reported one abandoned vehicle for removal. OCR team members also helped to plant trees, shrubs, and flowers. Each community had a diverse group of volunteers, including representatives from community organizations, the Prince George’s County Police Department, and local students looking to earn community service hours.


County News For You

Guns for Gift Cards

Guns for Gift Cards

Our Police Department is partnering with our faith-based community to host a gun turn-in program this Saturday, November 20, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Residents are encouraged to anonymously turn in guns, no questions asked, to receive free gift cards. Stopping violence starts with this community, and this is one way our community can commit to a future where no more families have to suffer the loss of a loved one due to gun violence.


County Executive Alsobrooks Establishes
Office of Multicultural Affairs

OMA Logo

County Executive Alsobrooks has formally established the Prince George’s County Office of Multicultural Affairs, with Mr. Samuel Iwu joining the Administration as the director of this new office on October 12, 2021. Director Iwu comes to the Office of Multicultural Affairs with extensive management experience in business development, public administration, medical informatics systems, commodities, and support operations. He previously worked as Senior Advisor at Watts Partners in Washington, D.C., where he was responsible for advising the team on policy and strategic partnerships with African countries and the Middle East.

The goal of the Office of Multicultural Affairs is to ensure that the County is doing targeted outreach in immigrant communities to connect them with government services and address their concerns. This office also includes the County’s Latino Affairs Liaison and African Diaspora Liaison. County Executive Alsobrooks included funding for the new office in her FY 2022 budget proposed last spring, which was then included in the approved FY 2022 budget passed by the Prince George’s County Council.

Since the formation of the office, Director Iwu and his team have already supported various County efforts including the November 2 Job and Resource Fair, the upcoming Stuff-A-Truck holiday food distribution, and COVID-19 vaccination efforts. They are currently planning various community outreach programs targeting the Latino, African, Caribbean, Asian/Indian, Middle Eastern and other immigrant communities in Prince George’s County.


Thanksgiving Day Holiday Waste Schedule

Thanksgiving Waste Collection

Regular organics collection (includes food scraps and yard trim) will occur on Monday, November 22. Regular curbside trash and recycling collection on Tuesday, November 23 and Wednesday, November 24 remain on schedule. Trash and recycling collections for Thursday, November 25 move to Friday, November 26 and those regularly scheduled for collection on Friday, November 26 move to Saturday, November 27. For more information, visit the Department of the Environment website here.


Keep Prince George’s County Beautiful
is Seeking Nominations

Keep PGC Beautiful

Keep Prince George’s County Beautiful is seeking nominations for residents, local businesses, schools, and other County entities that have made strides in recycling and diverting waste from landfills. This helps the County to be healthier, more beautiful, and sustainable. Submit nominations for the annual Waste Diversion and Recycling Awards by Tuesday, November 23. For more information, contact Helen Register at htregister@co.pg.md.us or visit the Keep Prince George’s County Beautiful website here.


Climate Action Plan Public Comment Period

CAP Public Comment

The Department of the Environment (DoE) is hosting virtual listening sessions for the draft Climate Action Plan, which was released for public comment on Monday, November 1. Join DoE at one of the listening sessions on Tuesday, November 23 or Tuesday, November 30 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM to have your voice heard! Registration is required to participate in a virtual session. Register to attend here.

The Climate Action Plan provides recommendations on how the County can lead on climate action to aggressively reduce greenhouse gas emissions, establish adaptation measures that build community resilience, and implement equitable climate solutions that protect our most vulnerable populations. From renewable energy to smart growth communities, from low-carbon transportation to resilient water systems, this plan sets out a road map for a clean, safe, and more equitable future.

Residents, organizations, businesses, and County-based entities can submit responses to the plan that can help create climate change resilient communities throughout Prince George's County. Public comments must be submitted by Wednesday, December 1. For more information, and to view the Climate Action Plan, visit the DoE website here.


Pumpkin Composting in November

Pumpkin Composting

Give your pumpkin new life after Halloween! Place it curbside on any Monday (organics collection day) in November to be composted with yard trim. Pumpkins are not required to be bagged, but paper lawn/leaf bags must be used if residents choose to bag their items for collection. Organic items such as dried corn, hay, and straw will also be picked up. Pumpkins should be free of inorganic materials such as candles, wax, artificial lighting, and loose decorations. For more information on curbside organics collection, visit the Department of the Environment website here.


Winter Community Partners’ Meeting

Winter Community Partners Meeting

Registration is now open for the Department of Public Works and Transportation’s (DPW&T) Annual Winter Community Partners’ Meeting, which will be held virtually on Thursday, December 9 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM via Zoom. Join DPW&T, along with their partnering agencies, the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) and the Department of the Environment (DoE), as they share vital information for the months ahead.

Registration is required to attend the meeting. Register here by Sunday, December 5. For additional information, please contact Paulette L. Jones at PLJones@co.pg.md.us.


World Day of Remembrance for
Road Traffic Victims

Vision Zero World Day of Remembrance

Sunday, November 21 is World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. Please visit the “Lives Shatter on Impact” Testimonial Display at The Mall at Prince George’s, which shares stories of people’s lives that have been shattered on impact. We can all play a part in making our roads safe for everyone. Take the Vision Zero Safety Pledge today and learn more about Vision Zero Prince George’s here.


Housing Month 2021: Role of Philanthropy in Affordable Housing Virtual Panel

PGC Philanthropy

Join the Department of Housing and Community Development for a virtual panel discussion on Tuesday, November 30 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. This panel will feature County leaders and local partners that will discuss the role of philanthropy in affordable housing. Register to attend here.


Gwynn Park High School Hunger Walk and
Food Drive

GPHS Hunger Walk

Join Gwynn Park High School’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter for their first Hunger Walk and Food Drive on Saturday, November 20 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM! Help fight hunger and food waste, tour (or visit) food and agriculture projects created by Gwynn Park High School students and get some fresh air and exercise. The food drive will support Community Support Systems, Inc. The Prince George’s Soil Conservation District will hand out free vegetable, flower, and pollinator seeds to all walkers. Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item. Click here to RSVP.


Red Flags of Domestic Violence
Community Symposium

Red Flags Symposium

Join the Department of Family Services for a Red Flags of Domestic Violence Community Symposium on Monday, December 13. The purpose of this virtual event is to share knowledge of what to do if someone you know is exposed to domestic violence. Attendees will also be given tools to identify the signs and red flags of domestic abuse between intimate partner relationships. Howard University, Professor Emeritus, Dr. Tricia Bent-Goodley will facilitate the event. For more information about the Red Flags of Domestic Violence Community Symposium and how to register, click here.


DPIE Enforcement Inspectors Lend Expertise and Assistance to Municipalities

DPIE Mclaurin

Three years ago, the Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement’s (DPIE) Inspector David McLaurin noticed that his colleagues in some of the County’s municipalities were looking for additional resources to assist with closing property standard cases. Inspector McLaurin approached his supervisors about offering training and assistance to inspectors working in the municipalities. Since that time, he and his colleagues have assisted in hundreds of property standards, multi-family, and zoning cases.

Recently, Inspector McLaurin worked with the Town of Brentwood Code Enforcement Officer, Martha Aguilar, on an investigation of a property owned by an elderly man, whose yard was strewn with trash, debris, and open storage. Code Enforcement Officer Aguilar sought an order to allow the town to clean the property and Inspector McLaurin worked with her on field investigation techniques, documenting her case with photographic evidence, and preparing her paperwork for court. He also worked with Code Enforcement Officer Aguilar to contact the Department of Social Services and local veterans’ officials to assist with the resident’s living conditions. DPIE has also assisted in the towns of Capitol Heights and Morningside. 


Spotlight On Prince George's

Prince George’s County Teacher Wins $1 million Global Educator Prize

K. Thorpe

Photo Courtesy of Bertrand Guay AFP via Getty Images

Prince George’s County educator Ms. Keishia Thorpe was recently awarded the Global Teacher Prize by the Varkey Foundation. Ms. Thorpe is a Howard University graduate and a 17-year teaching veteran. She currently teaches 12th grade English at the International High School at Langley Park. Check out this article featuring Ms. Thorpe’s award.


U.S. Education Secretary Visits PGCPS
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic

Cardona Visit

Photo Courtesy of Robert R. Roberts, The Washington Informer

U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona visited one of our PGCPS COVID-19 vaccine clinics on Wednesday, November 17. He toured the clinic at Capitol Heights Elementary School, praising the County’s efforts to vaccinate children ages 5-11 that recently became eligible to receive the vaccine. Read more about the Education Secretary’s visit here.