Online holiday bazaar supports local businesses and LGBTQ+ families

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Online holiday bazaar supports local businesses and LGBTQ+ families

“Rainbow Families represents celebration.”

That’s according to Darren Paul-Vance, the executive director of the 30-year-old nonprofit Rainbow Families. Based in DC, Rainbow Families provides educational programs, professionally facilitated support groups, connections and empowerment for LGBTQ+ families and prospective parents. When the pandemic hit, the organization instantly pivoted to online events, working to keep the LGBTQ+ community connected and joyful during these isolating times. “It’s really important for our children to be around other families like theirs,” Paul-Vance says. “We have done the best we can do to provide those programs virtually.”

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General FYI: Now you can get a jury summons by email and text

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General FYI: Now you can get a jury summons by email and text

DC Superior Courts just introduced a new jury summons notification called “eSummons.”

According to their press release, the court will send text and email messages to prospective jurors to remind them of upcoming jury service dates, confirm requests to reschedule/postpone jury duty, exchange information, and alert jurors when they do not need to report for jury duty the next day.

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DC’s Winter Ready grant program helps Petworth restaurants prepare for colder months

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DC’s Winter Ready grant program helps Petworth restaurants prepare for colder months

In colder temperatures, folks may increasingly have to choose between dining indoors, at higher risk to Covid, or give up restaurants altogether.

So Mayor Muriel Bowser and Shawn Townsend, the Director of the DC Office of Nightlife and Culture, came up with a plan: they opened a $4 million grant to provide funds to restaurants seeking to winterize their space. The Streatery Winter Ready Grant Program provides up to $6,000 per restaurant for sidewalk cafes, summer gardens, and streaterys, located in DC. The grants can be used for tents, heating, lighting, furniture, and marketing – all in hopes of sustaining outdoor dining during the chillier months.

Here’s what some local restaurants are doing.

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Creating a level playing field for all kids equally #GivingTuesday

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Creating a level playing field for all kids equally #GivingTuesday

Leveling the Playing Field has been collecting new and gently-used sports and playground equipment to donate to underprivileged groups, community programs, and schools. They have been able to collect over $6.5 million in equipment to donate to youth organizations, after-school programs, schools, and sports leagues, and have impacted over 950 programs in the DMV helping to bridge the gap for the growing inequality between those that can afford to play sports and those that cannot. They are making sure no child is left on the sideline no matter what their family’s economic situation may be.

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Local school PTAs organize fundraisers to help their students and families

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Local school PTAs organize fundraisers to help their students and families

While COVID-19 has definitely thwarted schools’ ability to fundraise, local Petworth schools are still holding holiday fundraisers to benefit their students. Many local families have been hit hard by COVID-19 and are still in need of assistance. Donating to your neighborhood school if you are able is a great way to give back to your hyperlocal community. The schools thank you in advance!

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

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

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.

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

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

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?

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

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

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.

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In Park View, the Park Morton equity plan goals get support by ANC 1A; residents still concerned

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In Park View, the Park Morton equity plan goals get support by ANC 1A; residents still concerned

The Park Morton Equity Plan is a resident-drafted series of recommendations to DC government authorities on how to address their public housing renovation needs, including enhancing residents’ employment opportunities, enacting a renovation plan in which the city builds replacement units before demolition, and increasing home ownership opportunities. ANC 1A approved the goals of the plan at a recent meeting, yet some residents remain unimpressed by the plan.

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

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

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).

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Washington Teachers Union calls for a “Mental Health Day” on Monday, November 2nd

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Washington Teachers Union calls for a “Mental Health Day” on Monday, November 2nd

As Petworth News reported at the beginning of October, a major concern with DC Public School’s reopening plan was whether the teachers would come back to teach in person. In recent weeks it has become increasingly apparent that they will not. The Washington Teacher’s Union has called for a “Mental Health Day” for its members in protest of the DCPS re-opening plans. This is effectively a “sick out,” where teacher’s call in sick.

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DPR reopens indoor exercise and pool facilities, with limitations

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DPR reopens indoor exercise and pool facilities, with limitations

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.

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DDOT survey on the future of DC transporation

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DDOT survey on the future of DC transporation

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.

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

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

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.

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