Community Connections Newsletter

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Friday, October 13, 2023

Prince George's Proud:
An Update From County Executive Alsobrooks

Dear Prince Georgians:

We recently announced that we are now accepting applications for the FY 2024 Community Partnership Grant (CPG) program. This year, we have approximately $2.5 million in funding available through the CPG program for eligible nonprofit organizations that provide community-based program initiatives to help foster the growth and development of people and communities.

We are strongly encouraging organizations, institutions, or associations, incorporated as a nonprofit organization designated under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and providing services in Prince George’s County, to apply for this funding. The deadline for application submission is Friday, November 10, 2023, at 5:00 PM. Applications, FAQs, guidelines, and lists of past recipients are available on the CPG website here. Questions concerning CPG applications should be directed to Sheila Curry, Grants and Partnerships Manager with the Strategic Partnerships Division, at PGNonProfits@co.pg.md.us.

Applications will be date and time-stamped by Office of Management and Budget personnel upon receipt. Facsimile application submissions will NOT be accepted. Additionally, applications submitted after the deadline of November 10, 2023, at 5:00 PM, will not be considered for review. 

To further support our nonprofit organizations, we are proud to host our 2nd Nonprofit Empowerment Symposium on Wednesday, November 1, from 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM at the Prince George’s Community College Grand Theater in Largo. The symposium is free and registration is now open! Local nonprofit organizations are encouraged to register for this opportunity here.  

Our vision is to grow pride and sustainability in our community by improving the quality of life for our residents. Nonprofit organizations are such critical partners for our government, helping serve and support our residents. We are proud that we have given out nearly $10 million in grants to local nonprofits through the CPG program since the start of our Administration, and we will continue to find new ways to partner with and support our nonprofits.

Yours in service,

Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George’s County Executive


CPG

Nonprofit Symposium

Proud to Be Around Prince George's

Mega Mart Supermarket's 3rd Anniversary and Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

MegaMart

The Mega Mart Supermarket in Chillum celebrated its 3rd anniversary during Hispanic Heritage Month on Saturday, September 30! The celebration featured traditional Latin American culture, foods, local musical talents, and artists from the metropolitan area. The owners of Mega Mart presented an award of special recognition to County Executive Alsobrooks for her dedication and service to public office and for her commitment to serving the diverse communities of Prince George’s County, especially Latinos. Our Latino Affairs Liaison, Samantha Howard, accepted the award on behalf of County Executive Alsobrooks. 


Victory Grace Center

Victory Grace

County Executive Alsobrooks joined Victory Grace Center on Sunday, October 8, for their worship service and to celebrate the birthday of the “Daughter of Thunder,” Dr. Jazz. No matter how far her ministries reach across the world, Dr. Jazz continues to pour her heart of service into Prince George’s County. We were Prince George’s Proud to wish Dr. Jazz a blessed birthday and many more years of continued success in serving our communities!


Woodyard Station Ribbon Cutting

Woodyard Road

On Tuesday, October 10, County Executive Alsobrooks joined the Department of Housing and Community Development at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Woodyard Station in Clinton, a new affordable housing community for seniors and families. We know that housing diversity builds strong neighborhoods, and this new development further showcases our continued commitment to preserving housing affordability and diversifying our housing stock. Ensuring equitable growth and the creation of quality affordable housing is a cornerstone of our Administration’s economic development platform, and we will continue to deliver on our promise to preserve and create affordable housing for all residents.


Youth Engagement Forum

Youth Engagement Forum

County Executive Alsobrooks joined youth for a forum at Charles H. Flowers High School on Tuesday, October 10, where they had an important discussion on youth violence and school safety. These young people represent our future, and we wanted to hear directly from them and ensure their voices are heard. We want to thank everyone who shared their thoughts, concerns, ideas, and solutions with us. The County is committed to continuing to work to reduce violence and ensure all our schools and communities can feel safe.


Junior Achievement of Greater Washington Honors David Harrington

Harrington Memoral

On Wednesday, October 11, County Executive Alsobrooks joined the Harrington family and Junior Achievement of Greater Washington to unveil a memorial in honor of the late David Harrington, a proud Prince Georgian and one of our County’s most enduring public servants. Mr. Harrington served as a mayor, County Council member, State Senator, President of the Prince George's Chamber of Commerce, and on countless boards and committees throughout his career in public service, striving to make Prince George’s County better every day. The public memorial is a tribute to his life’s work and a monument to the influence he has had over 40 years of service. We are Prince George’s Proud to honor Mr. Harrington for his impact on our community.


Future of Prince George’s County

BisNow

County Executive Alsobrooks attended BisNow’s “Future of Prince George’s County” event on Wednesday, October 11. This event featured an important discussion on the latest updates surrounding inclusive economic development in the County, including our transit-oriented development and affordable housing efforts. The County remains committed to continuing our efforts to ensure our County grows and develops in a smart way and working with our partners to improve the overall quality of life for our residents.


Pastor John K. Jenkins 65th Birthday and Book Release Celebration

Pastor Jenkins Party

On Wednesday, October 11, County Executive Alsobrooks joined Pastor John K. Jenkins of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden at his 65th birthday and book release celebration. Pastor Jenkins is a pillar in our faith community, dedicating his life to serving God and his community. We are thankful for his example of service and leadership and were Prince George’s Proud to wish him a happy birthday and congratulate him on this incredible milestone.


Beautification Initiatives

Growing Green with Pride 2023

GGWP Fall 2023

The Fall 2023 Growing Green with Pride is quickly approaching. Join our Department of Public Works and Transportation on Saturday, October 21, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The deadline to register to participate is today! Learn more and register to participate here.


2023 Green Summit

DoE GS Event-Flyer23

Join the Department of the Environment (DoE) for a day of family-friendly activities, tips, community service, exhibitors, food trucks, music, and fun at the 9th Annual Green Summit on Saturday, October 21, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the David C. Driskell Community Park in Hyattsville. The Green Summit is free and open to the general public.

Get a feel for what the Green Summit has to offer by watching this video recap of last year’s event! 

During the summit, DoE will be handing out FREE reusable bags (while supplies last) to help the public prepare for January 1, 2024, when all retailers throughout Prince George’s County will be prohibited from providing plastic bags to customers, with exceptions, and must charge at least ten cents for paper or reusable bags provided, with exceptions. 


Community Clean-Up at Driskell Park

DoE Driskell Community park clean up 10.21.23

Volunteer with the City of Hyattsville for a special invasive removal and park clean-up in conjunction with the Department of the Environment’s (DoE) Green Summit in Driskell Community Park and Growing Green with Pride on Saturday, October 21, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

All ages are welcome! Volunteers will be assigned to an age-appropriate activity, including invasive plant and vine removal from the Driskell Park woods, trash pick-up from the woods and creek, and trail maintenance. Please be sure to dress for outdoor yard work and bring water. 

Volunteer activities are eligible for student service-learning hours. Please note that parking will be limited. Register for the volunteer activities with the City of Hyattsville here


Last PGCLitterTRAK App Training for Fall Growing Green with Pride 

DoE PGCLitterTRAK general

Before heading out to your Growing Green with Pride cleanup event, join the Department of the Environment (DoE) for the last PGCLitterTrak virtual learning session on Tuesday, October 17, at 6:00 PM.

PGCLitterTRAK is a smartphone application (app) that can be used by community groups and residents who are interested in reporting their efforts to reduce litter in their communities. Information submitted through PGCLitterTRAK, including bags of litter removed, items collected, and litter pick-up locations, will assist DoE to meet its trash reduction rate of 170,628 pounds per year within the Anacostia River Watershed. Register for the training workshop here


County News For You

Indian Community Business Roundtable

Indian Community Roundtable

Calling all Indian business owners! The Office of the County Executive is hosting an Indian Business Roundtable on Tuesday, October 24, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Temple in Beltsville. This roundtable will give business owners in the Indian community an opportunity to discuss their concerns and hear from leadership in our administration. Business owners are encouraged to join us for this important discussion!


Annual Senior Picnic and Fitness Day at Six Flags America

DFS Senior Picnic

On September 22, over 1,700 County residents ages 60 years and over took part in the annual Senior Picnic and Fitness Day at Six Flags America in Bowie. Sponsored by the Department of Family Services (DFS) in partnership with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation, the annual picnic was hosted at Six Flags America for the first time and drew the largest crowd that has ever attended the event. Seniors enjoyed train rides to the park pavilion, line dancing, fitness-focused activities, a hearty lunch, and exhibitor booths. There was even an impromptu dance battle between our seniors and some of the young staff members working the event. For many, this was their first time attending the annual fitness day and picnic. Check out photos from the event here.


Prince George’s County Health Department Receives More Than $7.5 Million in Grants to Empower County Youth and Strengthen Families

HD Logo

The Prince George's County Health Department recently announced that it has been awarded two vital grants from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to help better support the behavioral health of children, youth, young adults, and their families. 

The first award, the Healthy Transitions grant, is a five-year grant with an annual value of $750,000. This grant will strengthen the Prince George’s County Transition Age Youth and Young Adults (PGCTAY) program and will aim to provide critical resources to 275 transition-aged youth and young adults, ages 16 to 25 years, who either have or are at risk of developing severe mental health conditions. 

The second award, the System of Care (SOC) grant, is a four-year grant with an annual value of $1,000,000 that will provide support to 350 children and youth up to age 21 years who are facing serious emotional disturbances, along with their families. The SOC initiative will focus on improving mental health outcomes for children and youth at risk of entering the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. 

These grants represent a significant step toward connecting Prince George's County residents with valuable resources and expanding access to behavioral health programs. They address crucial needs, work toward reducing the stigma surrounding mental health, enhance training opportunities for service providers, and ultimately make essential services more accessible to those who require them the most. The Health Department is working to roll out these grant-funded programs in the next several months.  


National Prescription Drug Take Back Day 

National Drug Take Back Day

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, October 28. The County Health Department’s Drug Prevention Program is joining law enforcement and community partners at a drug drive-through, drop-off event from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Pilgrimage Christian Church in Suitland. Residents are encouraged to safely get rid of unwanted, unused, or expired medications and electronic smoking devices. 


PGCMLS Hosting Maryland STEM Festival Events for Children and Teens

PGCMLS STEM

The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) is offering dozens of programs for children and teens in October and November across the system as part of the Maryland STEM Festival, a month-long celebration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics that takes place across the state every fall. Featured events include The Science Guys of Baltimore’s “The Science of Sports” and “Cosmic Adventures: Exploring the Wonders of the Universe!” programs, Eco Adventures’ “Crazy for Camo” presentations about animal camouflage, and Echoes of Nature’s “Jumping Frogs: Leap, Measure, and Discover” events. At PGCMLS, STEM events are hosted throughout the year, so be sure to check out the PGCMLS events calendar for more information on programs and resources. 


OCR Stuff-A-Truck Canned Food Drive

OCR Canned Goods Drive

The Office of Community Relations (OCR), in partnership with the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) and miXt Food Hall, is excited to announce their canned food drive for Stuff-A-Truck! Residents can bring canned or non-perishable food items to any of the 10 designated locations between now and Thursday, November 9, during business hours to help local residents. All items will be distributed at our annual Stuff-A-Truck event, which feeds over 2,000 families in Prince George’s County experiencing food insecurity. Residents who have questions or would like to get involved should email OCR at OCROutreach@co.pg.md.us


Capital Matters Program

Capital Matters

The Capital Matters program, powered by FSC First, aims to empower small business owners by providing them with essential financial management tools for growth. The program offers guidance on the loan application process, assistance with preparing loan documents, and connections to lending partners. 

Join FSC First for Track 1, Business Preparatory Support, which helps participants navigate the loan application process effectively, with the goal of strengthening their applications and increasing approval chances. Track 1 has three remaining sessions. Participants can choose to register for either full tracks or a single session. Those signing up for the full program may receive a free license for business plan writing or accounting software and up to three hours of free consulting with a service provider professional, such as a Coach or CPA. 

Register to participate here today.


Spotlight On Prince George's

Prince George’s County Welcomes New Affordable Housing for Seniors and Families

Woodyard Station

This week, Prince George’s County celebrated the opening of Woodyard Station, an affordable housing complex for seniors and families in Clinton. Prince George’s County is making significant progress in our efforts to preserve housing affordability for our residents who have long called this County home, and the opening of this beautiful community is yet another example of the County Executive’s efforts to provide quality, safe, and affordable housing. Check out this story to learn more about this new affordable housing complex and what it offers Prince Georgians.


County Executive Alsobrooks Named One of Washingtonian Magazine’s 150 Most Powerful Women

CEX Washingtonian Mag

County Executive Alsobrooks was recently named one of Washingtonian Magazine’s 150 Most Powerful Women in our region, along with other dynamic women shaping government, business, arts, education, law, media, and the nonprofit arena in our region. Please join us as we congratulate County Executive Alsobrooks on this amazing accomplishment! Check out this article for the complete list of honorees.


CAO Tara Jackson Appointed to Appellate Courts Judicial Nominating Commission

CAO Jackson

We are Prince George’s Proud to congratulate our Chief Administrative Officer, Tara Jackson, for being appointed by Governor Moore to the Appellate Courts Judicial Nominating Commission. Ms. Jackson is a dedicated public servant who has served Prince Georgians for many years, and we know she will serve all of Maryland well on this commission. Learn more about her appointment here.


Senator Melony Griffith to Become President and CEO of Maryland Hospital Association

Sen. Griffith

Photo Courtesy of Bryan P. Sears and Maryland Matters

We are Prince George’s Proud to congratulate Senator Melony Griffith on her new role as President and CEO of the Maryland Hospital Association! Senator Griffith has accomplished so much for Prince Georgians and Marylanders over the years, and her presence will be deeply missed in the General Assembly. Please join us in congratulating Senator Griffith as she embarks on this new path. Read this article that discusses Senator Griffith’s new role.


Bowie State University Unveils New Basketball Court

BSU and Durant

Bowie State University (BSU) recently unveiled the new Kevin Durant Basketball Court! This new court is courtesy of the Durant Family Foundation, who donated $500,000 to BSU’s athletic program last year. Check out this article to learn more about the new court and how the Durant Family Foundation is supporting prospective BSU students.


Latino Affairs Liaison Featured in El Tiempo Latino

Samantha

Our Latino Affairs Liaison, Samantha Howard, was recently featured in El Tiempo Latino. Samantha works to engage our Hispanic/Latino community and connect them with County Government services and resources. Check out this article to learn more about Samantha and what she hopes to continue accomplishing in this role.