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December 2016 - Issue 104
NEWS & EVENTS AROUND THE REGION
MCPD Chief Tom Manger's Message to Community on Hate Incidents
Montgomery County Police Chief Tom Manger posted a video to Twitter calling for a stop to hate crimes in the county."Hate is unacceptable, these acts are crimes against all of us and they will not be tolerated," Manger said. Watch his full video message here


Six Residents to be Inducted into Human Rights Hall of Fame  
Six residents will be inducted into the 2016 Human Rights Hall of Fame by the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights (OHR) at a 3 p.m. program and reception on Sunday, December 4. The event is free and open to the public and will be held at the BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive in Germantown.

The honorees are recognized for their visionary leadership, outstanding achievements and altruism on the road to eliminating discrimination and advancing human rights. 

Mark Your Calendar!


Sandy Spring Museum's Family Holiday Party: 
Sunday, December 4, 3:00pm-6:00pm.  Join 600+ neighbors and friends for the Family Holiday Party to celebrate  the season with world-class multicultural dance and song performances by The Mighty  Kelltones, the Peace Mission Korean Dance and drumming group, and the Sutradhar Institute of
Dance and Chai Dynamics. Enjoy holiday refreshments, cookies galore, photos with Santa, and a darling kids-only gift shop where everything is under $5, gift wrapped before mom and dad see the gifts! ($10 per family, $5 individuals, For more info click here or call 301-774-0022


Montgomery County Executive's Ball
Sunday,December 4. Participate in the 31st Annual Executive's Ball Benefitting the Arts & Humanities Sunday at the North Bethesda Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. Tickets are $150, which can be purchased directly through SSTCi. Call 240.595.8818 or Email SSTCi Executive Director Lisa Martin to confirm your space. Purchase tickets here.


MCPL Workshop on Applying for Jobs with Montgomery County Government
Tuesday, Dec. 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Twinbrook Library located at 202 Meadow Hall Drive, Rockville. This session is free, but requires registration.
The two hour session will include an overview of Montgomery County's job application process, the online application system, and detailed instruction on registering and searching for job opportunities with Montgomery County Government. For more information, contact: Adrienne van Lare at 240-777-0035.
 
MCAEL Provider Meeting focusing on "Reaching and Retaining Learners"
December 7, 1:00 - 3:00 pm at second floor, Gaithersburg Library (adjacent to the Gilchrist Center Office), 18330 Montgomery Village Ave, Gaithersburg. The Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy (MCAEL) is holding an adult ESOL provider meeting focused on  "Reaching and Retaining Learners from Underserved and Isolated Communities."

All nonprofits and faith-based organizations interested in connecting with organizations that provide adult ESOL classes are welcome to attend. Please RSVP to Kelly Johnson by Friday, December 2.
 
Benefit Concert by American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
Thursday, December 8th at the Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U Street, N.W., Wash., D.C., 7:30 p.m. 
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee will host a benefit concert by world-acclaimed oud player Marcel Khalife. Click here to purchase tickets.

Join Yoga@Cedar Lane to Support Refugees
Share the mat beginners yoga class on December 8th from 12:30 to 1:45 pm at Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church, Bethesda to raise funds and supplies for local refugees. Suggested donation is $10 

Historic Holiday Home Tour: Evening at Headwaters Farm:  December 10, 6:30pm-9:30pm. If you love HGTV's "If Walls Could Talk" or 'Missing 'Downton Abbey' take part in a behind-the-scenes tour of RowanLark, a Bed & Breakfast Inn that was once Headwaters
Farm. $50 for non-members.Click here to reserve a spot for further details or call 301-774-0022)
 
FY18 Grant Opportunity Deadlines

Nominations Executive's Community Collaboration Grants, Office of the County Executive
FY18 Applications due Wednesday, January 11, 2017
Contact here.

County Council Grants, Office of the County Council
FY18 Applications due Wednesday, January 11, 2017
Contact email

The County will hold three duplicate workshops to provide information for Community Grant Applicants.No registration required.

1. December 6, 2:30pm: The BlackRock Center for the Arts Main Stage

2. December 8, 7pm: The Council Office Building, 3rd floor Hearing Room

3. December 13, 10am: White Oak Community Recreation Center

City of Rockville Human Services Grants: FY18 a pplications due December 9.

FY18 HHS Community Services Grants Program: applications due December 9.

Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County Grants. Details and deadline here.

General Operating Support Grants to Large Arts and Humanities Organizations. Details and deadline here

Advancement Grants for Arts and Humanities Organizations: Deadline is January 30, 2017. Details here.


End of Year Meeting Focussing on Down County Domestic Violence Victims & Key Challenges 
Wednesday, December 14th, 3:30PM - 5PM at Holiday Park Senior Center - 3950 Ferrara Drive Wheaton.The meeting will be moderated by Laurie Duker, Executive Director, Court Watch Montgomery.

Nominations sought for the Humanitarian and Children of the Dream Awards 
Deadline December 16. Awards will be presented at 2017 Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration on Monday, January 16, 2017 at 3:30 p.m. at The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman La., North Bethesda. More information and nomination forms for the awards can be found on the Office of Human Rights website.

The (Fine) Art of Holiday Cards History Happy Hour
Friday, December 16, 6:30pm-8:00pm. Join Mary Savig, enjoy wine, beer, snacks and explore one-of-a-kind holiday artworks
created by famous American artists, including Charles Burchfield, Alexander Calder, Helen Frankenthaler, Robert Indiana, Robert Motherwell, even John Lennon and Yoko Ono. $20 for non-members. Click here to reserve a spot.

Interracial/Interfaith Dialogue on Racism: Seeing the Divine in Each Other
Tuesday, January 3 at 6:15 pm in the Great Hall of the Silver Spring Civic Building. The Interracial/Interfaith Dialogue on Racism was initiated i
n response to last summer's Town Halls as well as to the divisive rhetoric associated with the presidential campaign. Over 200 participants have engaged in small group dialogue with trained facilitators. This session is open to the public.


 
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. Members of these boards are eligible for reimbursement for travel and dependent care for meetings attended. County Executive Leggett's appointments are generally subject to confirmation by the County Council. 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 .

Sign up to Serve on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Service Unites!

November was a tough month. Seldom have I been as startled and uncertain about what to do next as I was last month. I was in my high school algebra teacher's classroom when I heard that President Kennedy had been shot. I was about to head downtown on the METRO when my wife called on 9/11 to tell me to turn on the television.

So, what to do? We can pout. We can boo. But to paraphrase President Obama, I'd say: "Don't boo. Serve!"

Please mark Monday January 16, 2017 on your calendar. MLK Day should be a Day On, NOT a Day Off. Never has this been more true than for this coming January.

Our wonderful Volunteer Center is organizing service sites in North Bethesda, Silver Spring, Germantown, and Gaithersburg. Please go to www.montgomeryserves.org and register to volunteer at one of our four sites or sign up with Manna to collect food for our neighbors in need at a Giant Food store near you.

More than one thousand residents joined County Executive Ike Leggett, Senator-elect Chris Van Hollen, Representative-elect Jamie Raskin, Secretary of Labor Tom Perez, Police Chief Manger, Superintendent of Schools Smith, Montgomery College President Pollard and an All-Star cast of speakers on a cold and windy Sunday November 20 at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring to Stand Up for the Montgomery Way.


Residents pack Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring at Stand Up for the Montgomery Way rally on Sunday November 20


The November 20 rally was a much needed opportunity for people to come together and hear a positive message. Tom Perez reminded us that forming a more perfect union is a timeless journey: "Sometimes it zigs and zags, but it bends toward justice. Let's bend it together." Service is something that can bring us together.

In the words of Martin Luther King Jr.: "Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love."

So, please do join us for our January 16 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service by signing up to volunteer at one of our four sites. Better yet, please design your own service project and recruit your family and friends and colleagues at work or at your faith congregation.

Having 1,000 people at Veterans Plaza was great. Having 5,000 county residents roll up their sleeves on MLK Day and go to work to make our community stronger and more just would be even better.

Send me an email at bruce.adams@montgomerycountymd.gov and my colleagues at the Volunteer Center will help you develop a service project at your school or faith congregation or business.
 
signature
Bruce Adams
Director, Office of Community Partnerships


P.S. To watch a full video of Sunday's 47 minute rally, please click here: Rally at Veterans Plaza. To read the resolution passed by our County Council and supported by our County Executive reaffirming community safety and trust, and denouncing racial bias, discrimination, hate speech, hate crimes, and harassment, please click here: resolution.
 


Help Make the Holidays Bright

Looking for ways to give back to the community during the winter holiday season? You'll find lots of information about ways to volunteer or help with donation requests on our website.

Click here to see current holiday-related needs and be sure to check back frequently as additional opportunities are posted regularly.  Currently posted projects include sorting toy donations, selling Christmas trees, helping at holiday parties for the elderly or disabled, and donating clothes, toys, gift cards, and food for the holidays. In addition, if you want to volunteer on Christmas day, check out DCJCC's D25 Day of Service.


Save the Date
MLK Day of Service Coming Up Jan. 16 

Plan to make Monday, Jan. 16--Martin Luther King Jr. Day--a day ON, not a day off! Join thousands of other local residents in honoring Dr. King's life and teachings by taking part in Montgomery County's MLK Day of Service 2017. Participate in one of our planned family-friendly service projects at locations across the county or plan something with your own congregation, business, school or neighbors.
 
The largest coordinated site, at the Bethesda North Marriott Conference Center, will include a volunteer fair as well as service projects, running 1-3 pm that day. (Please be aware there will not be parking available on site at the Marriott, but you can park for free at the White Flint Metro station lot across the street.) Planned projects include packaging food for the hungry, creating blankets for hospice, and cutting patterns to create shoes for children in Uganda.Mark your calendar now and plan to participate! Get more details or sign up here.
10th Annual Unity Christian Fellowship Scholarship Dinner 

The Unity Christian Fellowship, Inc. (UCF) held its 10th Annual Scholarship Dinner on Friday, November 4, 2016 at the Hilton in Gaithersburg. The UCF is a premiere Youth Development Organization that inclusively engages youth, families, and communities through educational, social, spiritual renewal, and enrichment activities. For 10 years UCF has partnered with the community to promote student success and "change lives in the community one student at a time" among at-risk and underserved students. Its programs are structured to enhance the success of high-achievers and to help all youth excel academically and socially throughout middle and high school.


Youth Council Meeting hosted by County Police Department

On November 15th, the Montgomery County Police Department hosted a
Downcounty Youth Council meeting at Paint Branch High School. The meeting
was open to any MCPS high school student. Police Chief Manger provided a summary of the intolerant speech and crimes that have increased in the county this year and answered many of the student's questions.

ASIAN  COMMUNITY
Free Citizenship Application Workshop on December 10th!

As part of the New Americans Campaign, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, the Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center and the Montgomery County Office of Community Partnerships are hosting a citizenship workshop on December 10 from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm to help people complete naturalization applications. 

Click here to access flyers for this workshop which are available in English, Korean, Chinese and Vietnamese . If assistance is needed in a language other than English, Korean, Chinese or Vietnamese, please call the APALRC at (202) 393-3572 to request language support. For more information visit website

We will have bilingual attorneys and volunteers at the workshop, and our team is also happy to provide information and answer questions about U.S. citizenship.
Salvadorans in the Exterior Day

County Executive Leggett received the Friend of Salvadorans award at the Embassy of El Salvador by Ambassador Claudia Canjura de Centeno during the Salvadorans in the Exterior Day celebration. County Executive was recognized for his leadership and ongoing commitment to the Salvadoran community as it is the largest immigrant community in the county and in El Salvador with the ongoing support of the Montgomery Sister Cities Morazán program. The evening community celebration included folklore music and traditional food and drinks from the Central American country. 


From left: Ambassador Claudia Canjura de Centeno, County Executive Leggett, Salvadoran government officials and Montgomery Sister Cities Morazán Committee and community members
Stand Up for the Montgomery Way Rally 

Montgomery County residents, public officials and faith leaders found strength and courage on Sunday, November 20, in a rally to Stand Up for the Montgomery Way at Veterans Plaza. Together we reaffirmed Montgomery County's fundamental values of diversity and respect for all County residents and were reassured of protection for individual freedoms, safety and community trust. Read Montgomery County Resolution unanimously passed by the County Executive and County Council.



Love Replaces Hate at Episcopal Church of Our Savior

In response to the large banner reading "Trump Nation - Whites Only" the diverse congregation of the Episcopal Church of Our Savior in 
Silver Spring wrote alternatives messages like "You should love your neighbor as  yourself". Diverse faith traditions subsequently joined in their worship services the fol lowing Sunday and neighbors raised sufficient funds to raise a large banner in response which read "Silver Spring Loves and Welcomes Immigrants". 
 


December 12 Town Hall

In response to last summer's Town Halls and today's deep racial divide, made all the more evident by the election, another Town Hall is planned for Monday, December 12 at the Civic Building at One Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring beginning at 7 pm. Once again, the Office of Human Rights, Police Department, NAACP and Faith Community Working Group are engaging elected and appointed officials together with residents for listening to the trauma and responding in terms that will provide reassurance and encourage us to move forward together.  

Germantown Meet your Muslim Neighbors Outreach Event

Germantown library on November 19 hosted an informal presentation by the local Muslims about their beliefs which was followed by a question and answer session. Over 100 people attended in this open discussion to learn about Islam and Muslims without the media stereotypes. Crafts, henna and refreshments such as bakalava, middle eastern pastries and dates were served. MAS-MD and Muslim girl scouts worked entire summer to put this event together and hope to hold many more similar events at different libraries throughout the county. This is a project initiated by MAS-Detroit and was made available to all MAS chapters to replicate.


Photo by : Asma Ismail


37th Annual InterFaith Concert held on November 20

The 37th annual Interfaith Concert of the IFC and the first at an historic African-American Church,  Metropolitan AME was held on November 20. This year's performances included among others, a powerful Muslim call to prayer, rousing gospel music sung by the Metropolitan AME Cathedral Choir, a fire ceremony by the Zoroastrian Avesta Performers, and a moving performance by Mosaic Harmony Multifaith Chorus. Philanthropist Frank Islam was honored with the prestigious Interfaith Leadership Award this year.


(From left to right): Frank Islam, Congressman Elect Jamie Raskin,  Channel 5's Peggy Fox, and Rabbi Gerry Serotta


Thanksgiving Dinner and Interfaith Celebration of Peace

On November 15, 2016, American Turkish Friendship Association (ATFA) and Rumi Forum of Maryland celebrated the annual Early Thanksgiving Dinner and Interfaith Celebration of Peace event, dedicated to peacebuilding efforts of Montgomery County's interfaith community. Rev. Julia Jarvis from Interfaith Families Project, Rev. Dr. Matt Braddock from Christ Congregational Church and Jodi Rose from Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake spoke from their own perspective.
SISTER CITIES
5th Anniversary Montgomery Sister Cities Morazán, El Salvador 2016 Fiesta

The Montgomery Sister Cities Morazán, El Salvador Committee celebrated its 5th anniversary during the 2016 Fiesta with over 250 community members, County Executive Ike Leggett, Delegate Ana Sol Gutierrez and Councilmember George Leventhal in attendance. The annual fundraising Fiesta/Gala is a great celebration, exhibition and it highlights the accomplishments of the program and committee for the year. The fiesta is also a cultural event with a night that included live music with performance from Verny Varela band and delicious traditional Salvadorean food. The funds collected are utilized for the ongoing programs in both communities in Montgomery County and in Morazán. To learn more about the program, please visit Here!

From left to right: Jorge Granados, Leda Hernandez, Roman Santillan, Isis Salmeron, Paola Bichara, Councilmember George Leventhal, Nestor Alvarenga, Yenny Miranda, Karla Silvestre, Claudia Canales, Rebecca Kahlenberg, Neftali Benitez, Darwin Romero and host of the Fiesta, Omayra Martinez from El Zol (107.7 fm radio station).
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