July 6, 2017 | Vol. 3, Issue 27
Dear Washingtonians,
When
I took the oath of office as Mayor, I pledged to build a DC that gives all Washingtonians
a fair shot. I committed to making homelessness in DC rare, brief, and
nonrecurring. I said, and I have said many times over the past two and a half
years, that in a city as prosperous as ours, we can and must end homelessness.
During
my first 100 days as Mayor, I worked to develop a citywide plan to end
homelessness in the nation’s capital. This plan is three-fold. First, we are
helping our residents avoid homelessness in the first place. Second, we are getting
those who fall on hard times into safe shelter. Third, we are getting
families and individuals back into permanent housing.
And
our plan is working.
In
just the past year, Washington, DC saw a 10.5 percent reduction in
homelessness, largely due to a 22 percent reduction in homelessness among
families. And through increased prevention efforts, we have helped more than 3,200
families overcome a housing crisis and avoid shelter stays.
Our reforms are taking root and the
investments we are making are spurring lasting change. We also know,
however, that we need more short-term housing opportunities. Unfortunately, there
will be days and nights when members of our community find themselves in need
of emergency shelter. This is why part of our plan to end homelessness involves
building safe, dignified short-term housing facilities throughout the city.
For
the past decade, DC General has served as our only emergency family shelter.
But we can no longer drag our feet on closing it. The shelter does not provide
the depth of services a family needs to get back on their feet, and its location
makes it difficult to balance day-to-day activities with securing a permanent
home.
Today,
in my home ward, we took a monumental step toward closing DC General by
breaking ground on the first short-term family housing project. By building
small, service-enriched shelters across our city, we are fighting homelessness
head-on. In the coming weeks, work will begin on projects in Wards 7 and 8,
followed by work on new facilities in Wards 3, 5, and 6 in the months to come.
Last year, we cut the ribbon on the Patricia Handy Place for Women, a new
dignified shelter for women in Ward 2, and we will continue moving forward with
plans to house our most vulnerable families in Ward 1.
You
put your faith in me, and I put mine in all eight wards of our great city.
Over
the past two and a half years, it has given me great pride to see so many
Washingtonians rally around this cause. As we continue working together to end
homelessness, my Administration will stay laser-focused on building and
preserving housing that residents of all income levels can afford while connecting residents in every ward to education, health, and employment
opportunities that set them up for success.
Ending
homelessness will take time, but we are headed in the right direction. By
staying true to our DC values, we will ensure that everyone who calls DC home
has a fair shot.
Sincerely,
ICYMI: On July 1, the minimum wage for District workers increased from $11.50 per hour to $12.50 per hour, and the minimum wage for tipped workers increased from $2.77 per hour to $3.33 per hour. This was the first raise for tipped workers in the last 12 years. Learn more HERE.
Help prepare all students for the first day of school by donating school supplies and uniforms to the ongoing Book Bag and Swag Drive. This drive will ensure that children
living in shelters have all the supplies they need to succeed in the coming
school year. Contributions are needed by Monday, August 7 and may be dropped
off at any Department of Human Services service center location or the DC
Public Schools office located at 3535 V Street, NE.
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The DC Free Summer
Meals Program (FSMP) provides free nutritious meals
and snacks to young people in DC who are 18 and younger. These meals help children throughout DC get the nutrition they need to learn, play, and grow during the
summer months.
Since
2012, more than 5.2 million summer meals have been served through the DC Free
Summer Meals Program to children and youth in Washington, DC. Find a
summer meal site near you by texting "FOOD" to 877-877, calling 1-866-3-HUNGRY, or visiting osse.dc.gov/dcsummermeals.
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On Wednesday, July 12, the Mayor's Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs will host a screening of Moana in Chinatown Park. Free
and fun for all ages, the evening will start at 8:00 p.m. and popcorn and popsicles will be provided.
RSVP for this event HERE.
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This
week's District Minute features stories about the Gay Games 2022 Rally, the increase in DC's minimum wage, and DC's Fourth of July parades and celebrations.
The mission of the Department of Human Services (DHS) is to empower every District resident to reach their full potential by providing meaningful connections to work opportunities, economic assistance, and supportive services.
DHS has an opening for a Social Worker. This position is responsible for conducting home visits and/or investigations, arranging for appropriate medical, psychiatric, psychological or academic assessments, and developing and maintaining up-to-date written case plans for each client. All details regarding this vacancy, including qualifications, can be found by visiting the job announcement.
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