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February 2018 - Issue 118
NEWS & EVENTS AROUND THE REGION
County Executive Leggett to Hold Final FY19 Operating Budget Forum February 6

County Executive Ike Leggett held four budget forums in January to hear feedback from residents before submitting his Recommended FY19 Operating Budget to the County Council on March 15. The 60th and final budget forum of County Executive Leggett's twelve years in office will be held on Tuesday, February 6 @ 7 p.m. at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, 4805 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda.
 
Live Discussion with County Executive Ike Leggett February 15

Live Discussion with County Executive Ike Leggett will be held on Thursday February 15 from 1 to 2 p.m. Click here to: Submit Your Question

Austin Heyman Honored for His "Seniors Today" Show for Providing Information of Interest to Senior Residents

The Commission on Aging recently honored OCP Senior Fellow Austin Heyman, Host of the Montgomery County Cable TV show "Seniors Today" produced by the Commission and County producer, Michael  Bruen. The March show will be number 175. The monthly program focusing on issues of interest to older adults can be seen on Channels 6(Comcast/RCN) and 30 (Verizon) Thursdays and Sundays at 6:00pm or Mondays and Fridays at 10:00 a.m. or on the County's website.


 
Board of Elections Future Vote Program Seeking  High School Students to Serve as Paid Election Judges during 2018 Primary Gubernatorial Election

The "Future Vote" Program is seeking high school students to serve as paid election judges at polling places for the Gubernatorial Primary Election to be held on June 26. 

The Maryland Election law allows minors who are 16 years and older, have U.S. citizenship and live in Maryland to register to vote and be appointed to serve as an election judge if the minor  meets all qualifications for registration in the State. Students with bilingual language skills, particularly in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Amharic and French, are encouraged to participate.

Training will be provided to all election workers. This includes an online quiz and class room training. Volunteers will be paid up to $210 or 25 SSL credits for completing training and working the election.  We offer several different positions, all-day and part day. Apply online here. For more information email or visit website and select the Election Workers link.

Maryland Women's Business Center 2017 Accomplishments

2017 marked continued growth for Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) and the Maryland Women's Business Center (MWBC). Read 2017 Annual Report here.


Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Builders Contest by AARP for Volunteers

On January 15th, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. day, AARP announced the Create the Good's (CTG) Dream Builders Contest. This initiative, in its third year, builds on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's "I have a dream" message as well as AARP's commitment to livable communities and service. This contest invites individuals to share a "dream" volunteer project they are currently working on - or want to carry out - in collaboration with a community nonprofit. 
Click here to learn more.


Montgomery County Public Libraries to Host Lunar New Year Celebrations

Montgomery County Public Libraries will host the following free programs to celebrate the Lunar New Year 4716.

February 3 at 1 p.m.
Chinese New Year Celebration: Lion Dance!
Silver Spring, 900 Wayne Avenue.

February 15 at 9 a.m. and February 16 at 2 p.m.
Lunar New Year: Make a Lantern, Wheaton Interim, 2400 Arcola Avenue.

February 24 at 2 p.m.
Chinese New Year Celebration
Potomac,10101 Glenolden Drive.

February 24 at 2 p.m.
2018 Lunar New Year Performance by Li-Ming Chinese Academy
Germantown,19840 Century Boulevard.

For more information contact Mary Ellen Icaza at 240-777-0006.


Celebrate Black History Month with MCPL's Engaging Programs

MCPL offers a series of programs to commemorate Black History Month. The free events, suitable for all ages, will take place at various branches.  For more information, click here


Mark Your Calendar!
Down County Providers Meeting:  Wednesday, February 21, 3:00 - 5PM at the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center - 11002 Veirs Mill Road, Suite 506, Wheaton. The meeting focuses on Workforce with Special Guests - WorkSource Montgomery & Montgomery College.The Down County Provider Networking Meeting assists Montgomery County Providers: nonprofit organizations, schools, faith-based, and other community-based organizations, who are dedicated to working with all County residents. 
Montgomery County Executive Candidate Forum:  On Racial Equity and Immigration. Northwood High School, Sunday, February 25, 1:00 - 4:00 pm.Free to the public

Applications for the 2018-19 Catalogue for Philanthropy  Now Open Being part of the Catalogue network means nonprofits will be recognized as "one of the best" high-impact, community-based nonprofits in the region - something that means so much to supporters, both existing and new. The Catalogue assists nonprofit partners to raise funds (CFP has helped raise over $40 million since 2003) and provides them with high-quality capacity-building free of charge. Applications are due by 11:59 PM on Wednesday, February 28th. Learn more.


Nominations Open for Twenty-first Annual "Distinguished Service to Public Education" Awards
Montgomery County Board of Education seeks nominees for the Twenty-first Annual Awards for Distinguished Service to Public Education in Montgomery County. The Board will be giving awards in the following categories:  Community Individual, Community Group, Business, Montgomery County Public Schools Staff, School Service Volunteer, and Individual Pioneer. Click here for eligibility information and nomination forms. Deadline is 5 p.m on March 1.


Montgomery College Lifelong Learning Institute: Boost Your Brain Power and Memory:   Friday, March 9, 10 a.m.-12:45 p.m. at the Gaithersburg Business Training Center, 12 South Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, Room 402/403. $20.00 fee only.  Course #: LLI200 CRN #: 35952. Explore strategies on how to boost your brain power and memory presented by Dr. Dana Plude, Deputy Director, Division of Behavioral and Social Research, National Institute on Aging at the National Institute of Health. Join other students in hands-on brain and memory workshops. Space is limited, please register early. For registration questions, please contact Customer Service at (240) 567-5188.

Applications Open for The Bernie Scholarship Awards Program:  Deadline is Tuesday, March 20. This is a scholarship fund for individuals who seek college or vocational training including undocumented students who qualify as Dreamers. This scholarship is for the residents who live in subsidized housing in Montgomery County from: Housing Opportunities
Commission, Edgewood Management Corporation, Scotland Community, Rockville Housing Enterprises, or Forest Park Apartments. The application is online. For assistance with the application,
contact your housing provider's counselor, Montgomery College's Educational Opportunity Center 240-567-5644 or email .

Nominate the next MC Philanthropist of the Year:  Know a resident of Montgomery County who has a track record of charitable giving to one or more Montgomery County based nonprofit organizations or has made a positive impact in the lives of county residents through their giving? Nominate them to be the next Montgomery County Philanthropist of the Year. Deadline is March 23.
Click here for nomination guidelines, criteria and form details.

Save the Date: Refugee Housing Forum:
March 28; 11-1pm, LSS/NCA presents Refugee Housing Forum at Silver Spring Civic Building, 1 Veterans Pl, Silver Spring. Learn about renting to refugee families and supporting resettlement efforts in our community. Meet with local refugee landlord partners as we address your questions. Lunch will be provided. Register here.

Get Involved: Join a Board or Commission

County Executive Ike Leggett seeks applicants of diverse backgrounds, professions, gender, geography, disability, and ethnicity to serve on the county's boards and commissions. Members of County boards, committees and commissions may not serve on more than one such group at a time. Applications of individuals selected for appointment are made public as part of the confirmation process. 

Access complete list of vacancy announcements for boards, committees, and commissions  here .

Join the 50+ Volunteer Network
Put Your Skills to Work to Strengthen Our Community

We are most fortunate in Montgomery County to have an extensive reserve of talent within our rapidly growing 50+ population.  And we have countless nonprofits working tirelessly to strengthen our community that need additional assistance. We have created a new county program -- the 50+ Volunteer Network - to focus on leveraging the professional and personal skills of the rapidly growing 50+ population as a valuable resource for nonprofits and government agencies.

The 50+ Volunteer Network actively recruits professionals who are retired or considering retirement, empty nesters, and others age 50 and older who want to make a significant contribution of time and talent to serve the community.  Volunteer Center advisors help them find an opportunity consistent with the individual volunteer's skills, interests, and availability.  Staff will also work directly with nonprofit and government agencies to ascertain the types of volunteers and assignments that are the most valuable, as well as provide follow-up services.

In announcing the new initiative, County Executive Ike Leggett noted that "Volunteers make Montgomery County special. The new 50+ Volunteer Network harnesses the vast reservoir of talent offered by skilled, diverse, and experienced volunteers to benefit the County's resource-stressed nonprofit organizations. This innovative program helps serve our neighbors in need while providing our older residents with meaningful ways to give back."


At the MLK Day of Service at the Marriott Conference Center on January 15: Council President Hans Riemer, Senior Fellows Gretchen Zekiel and Deborah Missal, County Executive Leggett, and Councilmember Sidney Katz

So, if you are 50+ and looking to make a significant contribution of your time and talent or if you are part of a nonprofit needing assistance, consider joining the 50+ Volunteer Network. What you will find is a high energy program led by Senior Fellows Gretchen Zekiel and Deborah Missal with personalized services, consultations, and matching by trained advisors, as well as a broad range of opportunities.

To join the network or for more information, please email 50plus@montgomerycountymd.gov or visit website.



signature
Bruce Adams
Director, Office of Community Partnerships

P.S: The 50+ Volunteer Network is just one of the options available through the Montgomery County Volunteer Center. To find out about more, including thousands of specific volunteer postings, go to www.montgomeryserves.org.


MLK Day Celebration at Strathmore Music Center

On January 15, the Montgomery County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee, on behalf of County Executive Isiah Leggett, held a countywide celebration and observance of Dr. King's Birthday. The event is held each year at the Music Center at Strathmore, in North Bethesda. The Committee hosted a special program involving area schools, the Music Center at Strathmore's special music program, area artists and, as special guests, the Carlton Reece Memorial Unity Choir from Birmingham, Alabama. This is the choir's first appearance outside the state of Alabama.

The Carlton Reece Memorial Unity Choir was formed in 1959 at the request of Civil Rights Legend Reverend Fred T. Shuttlesworth as a source of inspiration for those gathered at the mass meetings at the Sixteenth Baptist Church. The Choir would perform just before participants exited outside to march in protest of the injustice and inequality occurring in Birmingham and throughout the south. The 15, 16, and 17 year-old teens sang, marched, and went to jail in support of freedom and justice. The choir has been singing continuously since 1959. While many of their members have passed on the spirit of those remaining and the new members that have been added continue the inspirational energy to continue the fight.

The MLK Committee also used the occasion to highlight the life and legacy of Dr. King and pay special tribute to our own County Executive Isiah Leggett who was convening his last MLK celebration as County Executive. NBC News4 anchor Leon Harris served as emcee. Funding for the free event was provided by the Fund for Montgomery

Montgomery Community Media will air an encore of the program on Channels 19 and 21 on February 3rd at 11:00AM. 



Have You Heard About the County's Language Bank?

The Montgomery County Office of Community Partnerships' Language Bank is a group of volunteers who are on-call to help translate or interpret for County government agencies and non-profit organizations serving residents with limited English proficiency. If this sounds like a service that might be of use to your organization, please click here and register today.

For organizations already using the Language Bank, please keep in mind that the database will move over to a new platform at the beginning of February. As a result, there will be changes to how volunteers and agencies access the Language Bank. You will now need to login to your account using the County's AccessMCG Extranet. Current users should anticipate receiving an email on from AccessMCG including details and instructions on how to activate your account. 

Please reach out to us with any questions regarding the transition over the next couple of weeks via email or 240-777-2560.

FEBRUARY ADVISORY GROUP MEETINGS
Upcoming Meetings of County Executive's Ethnic & Faith Advisory Groups

Caribbean American Advisory Group Community Meeting, Tuesday, February 6, 7:00PM-8:00PM at the Silver Spring Civic Building - One Veterans Place Silver Spring. Contact: Daniel Koroma daniel.koroma@montgomerycountymd.gov

African Affairs Advisory Group Black History Month at the Library ,Thursday, February 8, 6:30PM-8:30PM at the Silver Spring Library - 900 Wayne Ave, Silver Spring. Contact: Daniel Koroma daniel.koroma@montgomerycountymd.gov

Middle Eastern American Advisory Group (MEAAG) will hold its annual February meeting on 12th February, 7pm-9 pm,  at the Rockville Library, 3d floor, Mediation Room. All are welcome. Contact: Debbie Trent at dtrent@civilstrategies.net  for more information.
GILCHRIST CENTER
New Home for the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center in Wheaton!

The Wheaton office of the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center is pleased to be settling into our new, permanent location in the Westfield South Building, 11002 Veirs Mill Road, Suite 506, Wheaton, MD 20902. Our phone number continues to be 240-777-4940. We are open Monday - Thursday 9-5 all year, with additional hours Mon-Thurs evenings and Saturday mornings when programs are offered. 

Please visit, and recommend that your down-county clients contact us for information about county programs, ESOL classes, and any other services in the county - we will happily assist them in their language. 

For more information, please visit website.


Amharic Quick Start Guide & Updated TPS and DACA Information

The Amharic version of our popular Quick Start Guide for Immigrants 
in  Montgomery County has been published. The Quick Start Guide provides 
the top useful resources for immigrants in the County. Available also in English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese, copies are available at our four sites and also available for download on our website. Please call us at 240-777-4940 if you would like to order copies.

In light of recent developments in immigration policy, we have updated our Frequently Asked Questions document with information about changes to the Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programs. Visit the Gilchrist website for dates of upcoming immigration workshops and programs.   
Nominate Outstanding Volunteers for Award Recognition

Nominations are now open for the Montgomery Serves Awards, Montgomery County's highest honor for volunteer service. This prestigious annual awards program coordinated by the Montgomery County Volunteer Center recognizes volunteer efforts in the following categories:

Montgomery Serves Awards logo
  • Neal Potter Path of Achievement Award, for lifetime service by residents age 60 and up
  • Volunteer of the Year Award, for extraordinary volunteerism by an individual in 2017
  • Youth Volunteer of the Year Award, for remarkable volunteers age 18 and younger
  • Volunteer Group of the Year Award, for a group's noteworthy volunteer efforts
  • Business Volunteer of the Year Award, for outstanding community service by a corporation
To nominate deserving volunteers, complete the appropriate online nomination form no later than Friday, Feb. 23. Award recipients will be honored at a gala ceremony attended by county and state dignitaries the evening of Monday, April 23, at Imagination Stage in Bethesda. Reserve your free tickets now


Residents Make MLK Holiday a Day of Service

Across Montgomery County, thousands of individuals joined forces to better our community and honor Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy by volunteering during the 2018 MLK Day of Service and the weekend leading up to the holiday. 


More than 3,500 people participated in the Montgomery County Volunteer Center's largest-ever multi-project site at the Bethesda North Marriott Conference Center, where they worked on everything from packaging food for the hungry to creating hand warmers for seniors. An additional 1,200 volunteers served at coordinated project sites in Silver Spring and Gaithersburg, which were hosted by the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority's Montgomery County alumnae chapter and Seneca Creek Community Church. Many hundreds more volunteered for a variety of service activities in Montgomery County throughout the MLK Day weekend. These included painting a nonprofit's offices, removing invasive plants in parks, cleaning up trash from streams, and collecting food for needy families.

Check out the online photo album, featuring images from the day of service. If you have pictures to contribute, upload them here or email us.

2018 Black History Celebration for County Employees

Thursday, February 8 at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, in the Rockville Civic Center Park, 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville. The Black History Celebration, "African Americans in Times of War" program will reflect on the roles of African Americans in every American war, from the Revolutionary War Era to that of the present "War against Terrorism." 

Ride On will provide transportation to and from the event (departing from and returning to the EOB Circle and 100 Edison Park Drive) to accommodate employees. Prior registration is encouraged to ensure sufficient transportation is available to accommodate everyone. Registration instructions are below. 
  • Log-in to your Employee Self-Service at this link www.montgomerycountymd.gov/eportal
  • Select Oracle Employee Self-Service >> MCG HR Employee Self-Service >> Learner Home
  • Go up to the top-left of the Screen
    • Type a word from the class title (Black, History, or Month) in the search window >> click "Go"
  • Find the class in the list of classes that appear
  • Click on the class name to see the location (Venue) and instructor information.
  • At the top-right hand side of the screen to find the "Enroll" button
  • Click Enroll >> Click Review >>Click Submit
  • See the class under "Enrollments" on your Learner Home page

Black History Month Special: A Walk in Father Henson's Footsteps - Josiah Henson Park - North Bethesda

Saturdays in February, from 12 noon to 4pm at 11420 Old Georgetown Rd, Rockville, 301-650-4373. One of the most famous conductors of the Underground Railroad, Reverend Josiah Henson, established a community for fugitive slaves at this historic plantation. Henson inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe's ground-breaking book Uncle Tom's Cabin.  

The Josiah Henson Park is part of the National Park Service National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program. Saturdays in February, the Park features screenings of the documentary "The Search For Josiah Henson." 

Black History Month Special: Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park - Olney

This two-acre tract of land served as the center of an African-American roadside community from 1880-1920. Today, the Oakley Cabin, inhabited until 1976, serves as a living history museum with furnishings depicting  various stages of its history.  Artifacts that were excavated onsite are also on display. The grounds feature a trail, partially laid inside the old millrace, that leads from the cabin to the site of the mill at the intersection of Brookeville Road and Georgia Avenue.  Call 301-650-4373 to ask when the Cabin is open for tours. Location: 3610 Brookeville Rd Olney.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Committee's 42nd Annual Breakfast Meet

To celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's legacy, the Montgomery 
County Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. held its 42nd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast at the North Bethesda Marriott on January 15th. Close to 2,000 people attended the event, which included a keynote speech from County Executive Isiah Leggett, the last MLK Breakfast he attended as County Executive.



Black History Month at the Silver Spring Library with African Union Ambassador to the USA

Thursday, February 8th from 6:30-8:30pm at the Silver Spring Library - 900 Wayne Ave, Silver Spring. Join special guest H.E., Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, African Union Ambassador to the United States to celebrate the annual Black History Month. Please RSVP here


AALEAD Receives Transforming Lives Award 

Asian American LEAD (AALEAD) recently received the Transforming Lives Award by the Maryland Out of School Time Network (MOST) at their 8th Annual Statewide Conference. This award recognizes excellence in an Out of School Time program with a strong focus in mentorship.

For the past 20 years, AALEAD's Mentoring Program's Youth Mentoring has connected low-income APA youth with caring adults who support them with educational empowerment, identity development, and leadership opportunities. Well-trained and culturally competent mentors meet with their mentees in-person a minimum of six hours per month for a minimum of one year. Many of AALEAD's mentor-mentee relationships have lasted over five years, offering a unique opportunity for consistent support and continued trust.  To learn more about AALEAD's Mentoring Program, please visit website.

Annual Middle Eastern American Heritage Celebration

Sunday, March 4th, from 4 pm to 6 pm at Executive Office Building Cafeteria, MEAAG will hold its fourth annual heritage event, complete with regional food, entertainment, and cultural displays on many countries of the region. The county Board of Elections will also staff a table for voter registration.



New Reading Club: Understanding Middle Eastern Culture

Join the MEAAG reading club coordinated by MEAAG member Mrs. Dareen Daniel, to explore the different cultures of the Middle East/North Africa region through literature.

The club will focus on English translations of well-known books by talented Middle Eastern authors (Muslims, Christians, Jews and others) who may not be well known in the U.S.

The club aims to fully appreciate different cultures and to generate intellectual, respectful and thoughtful discussions, not just for the enjoyment of literature or culture for their own sake, but also to build bridges between Montgomery County residents, and to help and encourage new immigrants from the MENA region to improve their English by reading familiar literature in translation. Registration is open for adults age 20+.

For more information, please contact Mrs. Dareen Daniel by email at: dareen.daniel@gmail.com.
SISTER CITIES
Save the Date for Sister Cities Annual Meeting

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