The County Focus - CM Hawkins - 10.29.24

Prince George's County Legislative Branch sent this bulletin at 10/29/2024 12:34 PM EDT

10.28.2024

Council Member At-Large Calvin Hawkins

Welcomes New Chief of Staff!

Sydney Featherstone joins my office from Vanderbilt University, where she studied History, with a minor in Public Health. She also served as the NAACP chapter president and is a member of the Mu Rho chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Sydney is a native of Prince George's County and has always had a passion for service. In the coming months, she will be studying community well-being across Asia, South America, Africa, and Europe as a Keegan Traveling Fellow. Until then, I am excited to have Sydney in my office, serving as my extra eyes and ears.

- Calvin S. Hawkins, II, Council Member At-Large

Council Member At-Large Calvin Hawkins Hosts Fall Small and Minority Business Community Roundtable

Thank you to the owners of small and minority business, as well as the residents who take pride in supporting these businesses, for your attendance at my inaugural Small and Minority Business Community Roundtable on Wednesday. This roundtable was the first in a series of quarterly meetings aimed at distributing information about business opportunities, funding, and contracting in the public and private sectors. I would also like to give a special thank you to Olivia Warren and Onu Tugjnyam, from the Prince George’s County Office of Procurement, as well as Steward Smith, from FSC First Bank, for the important conversations they were able to jumpstart with us. Please stay tuned for an announcement about the next meeting and for the special vendor expo action item from Wednesday’s meeting. Small in business does not mean small in power! We are working to amplify that message across Prince George’s County!

Don’t Miss Your Opportunity to Respond to the New Fall Issue Priorities Survey for County Residents - Deadline Extended to November 14th

Thank you to the hundreds of county residents who’ve already responded to my new countywide Fall Issue Priorities Survey! We are gathering your views and opinions about the important issues that affect our everyday lives. Please don’t miss this important opportunity to make your voice heard in areas like education, economic growth, transportation, public safety, and supporting our seniors and veterans. We've extended the survey deadline to November 14th to allow you more completion time.

Please click here to take the Fall 2024 Issue Priorities Survey.

Alternatively, you can open and place your cell phone camera over this QR code and click the link:

Prince George's County News

Council Member Hawkins Attended the Suitland High School Topping Out Ceremony

The new Suitland High School is coming soon! Thank you to Prince George’s County Public Schools for inviting me to attend the topping out ceremony. “Topping out” is when the final beam for a construction project is signed by people who have helped turn the building from an idea into a reality. The beam is also accompanied by a small tree, which comes from the Scandinavian tradition of placing a pine tree at the top of a new structure. When all the pine needles fall, that means the structure is ready to be enclosed. Once this Suitland High School construction is completed, in combination with the new Drew Freeman Middle School that opened last year as part of our P3 school construction program, more than $100 million in new school construction funds will have been invested in the Suitland area since 2020. It has been my privilege to strongly support both of these projects on the County Council.

Thank you to all who are working tirelessly to make sure our kids have somewhere safe and sound to learn for future generations!

County Council Domestic Violence Grant Program

The Prince George’s County Council has appropriated $500,000 in FY25 to support the Domestic Violence Grant Program in the following areas: housing, workforce development, counseling/mental health services, advocacy/legal services. The Prince George’s County Council is accepting Domestic Violence Program applications for FY 2025 now through Wednesday, November 6, 2024 for programs beginning January 2025.

Click here to apply.

HBCU Money Guide

The Department of Parks & Recreation is hosting a six session series for students 14+ years old and their parents who are interested in pursuing higher education at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The first of these sessions is tomorrow October 29th.

EPG Automotive Mechanic Scholarship Information Session

Employ Prince George's has partnered with Vehicles for Change to provide Skills Upgrading Scholarships for 33 Prince George's County residents, and are hosting two information sessions Friday, November 1st @ 10:00am & 11:00am. Click here to register.

Council Member Hawkins Visits Colin L. Powell Academy

in Fort Washington

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Recently, I had the opportunity to tour the new Colin Powell Academy and to interact with the young minds and the esteemed educators that mold them. I learned about how minds are developed and how my office can help chart the course for the next generation. Very powerful information! This school was built in just three years with the innovative public-private-partnership (P3) school construction program that I had the privilege to support on the County Council.

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Proclamation

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Recently, I had the honor to present a proclamation recognizing the great work of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Prince George’s County. We also highlighted a resolution passed by the Council that establishes the first whole week of Hispanic Heritage Month as Hispanic Restaurant Week. This gives Hispanic owned restaurants the spotlight they deserve and encourages residents to have a sit-down meal that week in a Hispanic owned restaurant. Our diversity is our superpower!

Blood Drive with the American Red Cross and NPHC-PG

I'm cohosting a blood drive with the American Red Cross and the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Prince George's County. It will be Sunday 11/23 at the Suitland Community Center. To donate call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or click here and enter: NPHCPGC to schedule an appointment.

SLK's Test for a Turkey

SLK Health Services Corporation is hosting Test for a Turkey Annual Turkey Giveaway at the Marlow Heights Shopping Center in Temple Hills. Come in, get free testing for STIs and receive a free Thanksgiving turkey and sides (while supplies last). Also available will be free haircuts, reentry services, food bank registration and more!