County Celebrates Pride Month🏳️‍🌈, Clear the Curb ♻️ Expands, and more!

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Wednesday, June 12, 2024

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

Dear Prince Georgians:

Happy Pride Month! Earlier this week, we were proud to kick off Pride Month with a reception to celebrate our LGBTQIA+ community. Pride Month is a time of celebration, solidarity, and reflection, and we are so grateful to everyone that joined us for this amazing gathering.

As we continue to observe Pride Month, it’s essential to recognize that our journey towards inclusivity is ongoing. While events like our Pride Reception provide a platform for celebration, they also serve as a reminder of the challenges that the LGBTQIA+ community faces. It is critical for all of us to understand that creating an inclusive society is a collective responsibility. Whether you identify as an ally or a supporter, it is up to each of us to stand up against discrimination, fight injustice, and advocate for equal opportunities for all.

Here In Prince George’s, we are committed to this work. From promoting sexual health awareness to providing support for LGBTQIA+ youth in foster care, we are taking concrete steps to create a more inclusive community and our efforts do not stop there. We are continuously listening to the voices of our LGBTQIA+ community and working to address their needs. Whether it’s through educational programs, mental health initiatives, or youth outreach, we remain dedicated to fostering a safe and supportive environment for everyone to grow and thrive.

As we embark on this journey together, we want to thank Prince Georgians for your dedication to creating a more inclusive world. We also want to thank our LGBTQIA+ Liaison, Antonio Driver, the LGBTQIA+ Community Advisory Committee, our sponsors, and our entire Stakeholder Engagement and Affairs team for their dedication and tireless efforts. Their commitment to inclusivity is truly commendable and we know that together, we can make our County a place where everyone can be proud to call home.

Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George's County Executive


Pride Reception

Pride Month

Pride in Prince George's

Pride Month PGC

Check out this guide to Pride Month in Prince George’s County! We wish you happy and safe Pride celebrations full of love and inclusion! Get connected and “stay in the know” with LGBTQIA+ Affairs in the Office of the County Executive website here


Mount Rainier Annual Pride Parade

Mt. Rainier Pride

The Mount Rainier Recreation Committee is hosting the annual Pride Parade on June 15. The Pride Parade kicks off at 10:30 AM at Thomas Stone Elementary School and will end at City Hall Annex. To get involved, contact the Mount Rainier Recreation Committee here.


Rainbow Festival

Mt. Rainier

Celebrate Pride Month with the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) at the Rainbow Festival on Saturday, June 22, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, at the Hyattsville Branch Library. Join PGCMLS and get to know local LGBTQIA+ organizations and community members. The event will feature storytime, crafts, music, special guests, and more for all ages. Festive dress and costumes are encouraged! Learn more and register on the PGCMLS website here.


In the Life: LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration

MNCCPC Pride Month

Join the Department of Parks and Recreation for an exciting and empowering workshop designed especially for LGBTQIA+ youth, family, and allies at the In the Life: LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration on Saturday, June 29, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Lake Artemesia Park! Whether you’re a seasoned performer or new to the ballroom scene, this workshop is the perfect opportunity to express yourself, learn new skills, and connect with a vibrant community. Registration is required. Learn more and register on the Department of Parks and Recreation website here.


County News For You

Fire Commission Appointments

Fire Commission

Pictured: Gloria J. Bell, Michelle A. Chandler, Lisa MC Ray, Marlon E. Selmon, Kyle J. Snyder

Join me in congratulating these Prince Georgians recently appointed to our Fire Commission. These public servants will serve as volunteer, career, and resident members. We know they will do an outstanding job serving our residents in their respective roles. Please join us in congratulating these individuals.


Prince George’s County Welcomes New Municipal Affairs Liaison

Doretea Burton

Please welcome Ms. Doretea Burton as the new Municipal Affairs Liaison. In this role, Ms. Burton will serve as the conduit for the 27 municipal leaders and the Office of the County Executive and the administration. Prince George’s County is the second largest County in the State of Maryland and is home to the largest number of municipalities in the state. Read more about Ms. Burton and her new role here.


Holiday Waste Collection Changes

Juneteenth Waste

County Government offices, with the exception of public safety agencies, will be closed on Wednesday, June 19, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday. Curbside collections of yard trim, food scraps, trash, and recycling will remain on a regular schedule for residents receiving County-provided services. There are NO changes due to the holiday.

Residents receiving county-provided services will continue to receive regular trash, bulky, and recycling collection services on a regular schedule. Learn more information on waste collection services on the Department of the Environment website here.


New Clear the Curb Waste Collection Services Begin July 1

DoE scrapmetalcollection final

Beginning the week of July 1, 2024, Prince George’s County is expanding its Clear the Curb waste collection services for residents receiving County-contracted trash and recycling pickup.

The new services will:

  1. Increase the number of acceptable curbside bulky trash items from two (2) to four (4), and
  2. Introduce monthly curbside scrap metal and electronics recycling appointments.

 To implement these new curbside collection services, some residents will experience a change in their current trash and recycling collection day. Residents may verify their waste collection day here by entering their household address in the search bar and reviewing the list in the white pop-up box. If a new collection day has been assigned, it will be noted along with the day of other waste collection services.

The new curbside scrap metal and electronics recycling collection will be offered by appointment only on the third Monday of each month. The first day of service begins Monday, July 15, and pickups can be scheduled online or by contacting PGC311. Residents can start scheduling pickups beginning Monday, July 1. Learn more information on the Department of the Environment website here or contact PGC311.


Aircraft Noise Study for South of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

DCA SoA Study Mtg 6.24.24 DoE

Prince George's County, Fairfax County, and the City of Alexandria, in partnership with Vianair, have begun a significant noise mitigation study focusing on communities south of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and along the Potomac River. It will inform and engage the public and stakeholders about the ongoing efforts to mitigate aircraft noise impacts in communities south of DCA. A public meeting will be held on Monday, June 24, at 6:00 PM for impacted County residents. Stay informed and get involved by completing the survey, participating in community engagement activities, and reading about noise information on the Department of the Environment website here.


Be Flood Smart: Flood Education Series

Flood Education Flyer June 2024 DoE

The Department of the Environment (DoE) is hosting free virtual sessions to provide flood education on stormwater runoff, flood risk reduction, flood insurance, and disaster recovery. This series will run weekly on Thursdays between June 6 and June 27. As we prepare for hurricane season, these sessions will equip residents with information and resources to improve their understanding of how and where floods occur, share techniques and practical measures for flood risk reduction, and prepare for disaster response and recovery.

Thursday, June 13 at 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM
Session 2: Flood Risk Reduction Measures – Residential Drainage, Green Infrastructure Practices and Capital Improvement Plan Projects

Thursday, June 20 at 12:00 PM
Session 3: Transfer Your Flood Risk, Purchase Flood Insurance

Thursday, June 27 at 12:00 PM
Session 4: Disaster Response and Recovery

Register to attend the sessions on the DoE website here.


2024 Beautification Survey

Beautification Survey

The Department of the Environment is committed to working to improve the environment, enhance quality of life in the County, and be Prince George’s Proud for our residents, business owners, and visitors. Over the past years, your feedback has helped us identify hotspots for illegal dumping, abandoned cars, and missed collections. Taking a few minutes of your time to complete DoE’s Beautification Survey can help our County continue to become greener and cleaner. The survey is available in English and Spanish.


OCR Launches 311OTG! Mobile Unit

311OTG Mobile Unit

The Office of Community Relations (OCR) recently launched the new 311 On the Go! (311OTG!) Mobile Unit during their 100 Events of Summer flagship event. The 311OTG! Mobile Unit is a dynamic extension of OCR’s outreach efforts, designed to bring County Government information and resources directly to the community. Request the 311OTG! Mobile Unit visit your community on the OCR website here.  


Interfaith Conversation in Greenbelt a Huge Success

Interfaith Conversation

The Interfaith Conversation on Pilgrimage in Faith, recently hosted through a partnership between the Office of Human Rights (OHR) and Greenbelt Community Church in Greenbelt was a huge success. Panelists, representing Islamic, Christian, and Sikh faith traditions, offered their insights into the meaning of pilgrimage through their faith and personal perspectives, sharing their journeys, both geographic and internal, on pilgrimage in their lives. OHR continues its efforts to connect with a variety of faith communities to share information about the work of the office, to hear about the experiences of different congregations, and to partner in interfaith conversations with those interested. Learn more about OHR and its work by email or visit their website here.  


2024 Baltimore Immigrant Summit

2024 Baltimore Immigration Summit

Our Latino Affairs Liaison, Samantha Howard, recently presented at the Baltimore Immigrant Summit. The presentation, titled "Cultural Bridges, Immigrant Resilience: Leveraging Community Collaborations Towards Enhanced Immigrant Wellness," was a collaborative effort between Samantha Howard (Latino Affairs Liaison, Prince George’s County Office of the County Executive), Cheryl Aguilar LICSW, LCSW (Hope Center for Wellness, LLC, Smith College School for Social Work), Sandra Sheppard MSW (City of Hyattsville), and Jhoselyn Rodriguez B.S. (Coaching Salud Holistica). They discussed the impactful case study of the Langley Park Healing Circle in the Langley Park community.


Fast Connections: Speed Networking for Business

FSC First Speed Networking

Join FSC First at their premier speed dating-style event on Friday, June 14, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, in Largo. This networking event will provide an opportunity for businesses to meet with financial services professionals and business support resource providers in a fun and dynamic environment. The event will also spotlight the Level Up program capital access, training, and coaching, and will feature a "Marketing to the Money" panel discussion moderated by Will Holmes of Will Holmes Consulting. Light breakfast and refreshments will be provided. Space is limited. Learn more and register here.


Spot Bid Sale

OCS Spot Bid Sale

The Office of Central Services’ Spot Bid Auction will be held on Thursday, June 27 and Friday, June 28, in Landover. There will be opportunities to bid on electronics, jewelry, and more! For more information, call 301-883-0340 or email OCS here.


Spotlight On Prince George's

2024 NACo Achievement Awards

NACo Awards

We are Prince George’s Proud to share that our Alsobrooks Youth Leadership Institute, Summer Youth Enrichment Program, and Language Access Compliance Program have each been awarded a 2024 Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo)! For 54 years, NACo has celebrated innovation in counties across our nation, and we are honored to receive this distinguished award. Special thanks to our Office of Stakeholder Engagement and Affairs for all they do to make this program a huge success.


College Park Academy Students Develop Adaptive Sports Wheelchair

Stella

Photo Courtesy of WJLA

Embracing diversity invites creativity and equity into our everyday lives. Students at College Park Academy in Riverdale Park have developed adaptive equipment for 9-year-old lacrosse player, Stella Stakolosa. Through the “Engineering for Us All” (e4usa) program, the students created a lacrosse stick that attaches to Stella’s wheelchair in a way that also allows for her to pull a string to release the ball. Learn more about Stella’s story here.  


Proud to Be Around Prince George's

Latino Community Conversation

Latino Community Conversation

County Executive Alsobrooks alongside our Latino Affairs Liaison, Samantha Howard, hosted a heartfelt community conversation with members of our vibrant Latino community on Thursday, May 23. They engaged in a constructive and productive dialogue about the needs of our Latino community and how we can continue to support and uplift one another. In addition, members of the Office of Human Rights’ (OHR) Language Access Compliance Program Team presented on the County’s language access requirements, which ensure that all people can access County Government services in the language of their preference. Learn more about Prince George’s Latino Affairs on the Office of the County Executive website here and learn more about language access on the OHR website here.


City of Bowie Memorial Day Parade

City of Bowie Memorial Day Parade

County Executive Alsobrooks walked in the City of Bowie’s Memorial Day Parade on Saturday, May 25. It’s always great to join the community and have fun engaging with residents. Thank you to the City of Bowie for inviting us and all those who came out to watch the parade!


Memorial Day with the OVA

Dr. Dula Memorial Day

Our Veterans Affairs Liaison, Dr. James Dula, spent Memorial Day in the community with other veteran residents, reflecting on and honoring their service to our nation. Dr. Dula is committed to being a voice and resource to our robust veteran community! Learn more about resources and services for veterans on the Office of Veteran Affairs’ website here.


Prince George's Police's 2nd Annual Pride Walk

Pride Walk

Our LGBTQIA + Affairs Liaison, Antonio Driver, was excited to celebrate our LGBTQIA+ residents at the Prince George’s Police Department’s 2nd Annual Pride Walk at the National Harbor on Sunday, June 2. Get connected with our LGBTQIA+ Affairs Liaison on the In this Space website here.