November 17, 2020

Community of Hope celebrates 40th anniversary serving DC families #GivingTuesday

November 17, 2020/ Guest Contributor

Since Community of Hope (COH) opened in Columbia Heights in September 1980, the District has experienced many demographic and economic changes, but the nonprofit healthcare and housing organization has not wavered in its commitment to the people of DC. Now based in Ward 8, Community of Hope has expanded its reach, with housing and health centers in Wards 1, 5 and 8, drawing patients and families from across the city.

November 16, 2020

Why were power and lights flickering across the area last week?

November 16, 2020/ Drew

On Wednesday, November 11th, the local Twitterverse and email listservs lit up about homes being in the dark. People from Park View up to Brightwood and over to Crestwood and 16th Street Heights all commented that their lights were flickering on and off. What was going on?

November 10, 2020

Opportunities for neighbors to help neighbors: Ward 4 Mutual Aid Network for #GivingTuesday

November 10, 2020/ Cassandra Hetherington

Mutual Aid groups have existed across time and cultures. Normally they develop within marginalized communities, harnessing collective power to provide basic needs for people failed by government systems. Mutual aids have operated within Wards 7 and 8 for years, but now there is one in every DC Ward.

As people began to lose their jobs during the pandemic, more local residents found themselves unable to purchase basic items for themselves or their families. Simultaneously, Washingtonians wanted to assist their neighbors. Volunteers from the already existing mutual aids worked across the city to support the creation of ward specific mutual aids.

November 03, 2020

This month, #GivingTuesday can really make a difference. This week: Mary's Center

November 03, 2020/ Jillian Levitt

Over three decades ago, Maria Gomez opened Mary’s Center in a basement in Adams Morgan. Their mission was to provide prenatal care to Central American women fleeing from violence, poverty and war. However, they quickly realized that treating only a patient’s physical health was not sufficient. They expanded to beyond medical to dental and behavioral health services for all ages, as well as social services, family literacy and education programs to help put families on track for economic independence and stability. Mary’s Center serves everyone, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. They have now grown to employ over 700 people in their five health centers across the DMV (including their Petworth location on Georgia Avenue).

October 24, 2020

DPR reopens indoor exercise and pool facilities, with limitations

October 24, 2020/ Cesse Ip

On Thursday, October 1st, the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and Mayor Bowser announced that they will reopen indoor pools on a modified schedule, and opened registration for limited in-person fall programs at specific DPR locations. DPR centers have been shut down since March in response to COVID-19.

October 24, 2020

DDOT survey on the future of DC transporation

October 24, 2020/ Drew

The DC Department of Transportation is looking for resident feedback on the future of transportation in the District.

The Mayor’s Office announced the launch of moveDC 2021, a long-range plan to set the 25-year vision for the District’s multimodal transportation system. Residents from across all eight wards who drive, walk, bike, or take public transit are being asked to provide input that will help shape the plan.

October 22, 2020

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month... prevention is the best way to beat it

October 22, 2020/ Cesse Ip

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and as a recent breast cancer survivor and Petworth neighbor, I thought now would be a good time to tell my story and raise awareness of this all too common disease.

October 21, 2020

DCPS and DC Health say “Layers of Protection” to keep elementary students safe for in-person learning

October 21, 2020/ Alexis Gutierrez

On Wednesday night, October 14th, DCPS and DC Health held a second in a series of webinars and conference calls to prepare parents for the gradual re-opening of DCPS Elementary schools on November 9th. Dr. Ferebee, Chancellor of DCPS, kicked off the evening outlining the plan for re-opening. He emphasized again that virtual learning is not working for all students, especially children facing homelessness, English language learners and those children deemed at high-risk. At this point in the year, going to a hybrid model for the second term would be more disruptive than a five a day week approach. This gives those students with the greatest likelihood of opportunity gaps more time for learning.