NEWS & EVENTS AROUND THE REGION
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Resilience Fund: Call for Proposals
The Resilience Fund is actively accepting proposals for rapid response grants to support efforts addressing changes to immigration policies or other regulatory rollbacks, and programs that expand access to citizenship and democracy.
The Fund's main objective is to provide funding in response to both urgent and systemic issues facing our community, in the near-term and long-term. Since the Fund's inception, the Fund has provided grants to organizations supporting residents and families affected by the Administration's changes to international travel, immigration, and deportation policies as well as efforts to build community cohesion and combat hate and intolerance.
Interested organizations located in or serving the Greater Washington region may submit a letter of inquiry for grants ranging from $10,000-$50,000 to address current or emerging issues affecting our neighbors and communities. Applications are due on a rolling basis and will be reviewed every 6 weeks.
Click here for more details.
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August 3 - Readings of Arabic & Persian Poetry
The next event in the series "Poetry and Spoken Word at Glen Echo Park" will occur on Friday, August 3d, from 7:30 to 9:00 pm. It will include readings of Arabic and Persian poetry. Location, presenter information, and registration are here.
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August 7 - National Night Out Against Crime
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August 18 - College Admissions Workshop
Montgomery County Muslim Foundation is holding a College Admission Workshop for high school students and parents. Learn about increasing chances for admission into college of your choice, deadlines and much more.
See more details and how to register.
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Apply to the Community Advocacy Institute
Are you interested in learning how to be an advocate for your community? Apply to the Community Action Board's Community Advocacy Institute (CAI). The CAI includes a series of free workshops featuring guest speakers and activities to practice your advocacy skills and networking opportunities.
Applications due August 24
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Gaithersburg Elementary School Community Resource Fair
Gaithersburg Elementary School is inviting community service providers to participate in their Nonprofit Service Resource Fair/Open House on Thursday, August 30. The priority service areas as defined by the school are Mental Health (number 1), food, shelter, job support, and tutoring. The City of Gaithersburg Community Services office is adding youth programs, police services and citizenship/legal/immigration. For more information or to register contact Maureen Herndon by email or 240-805-1825.
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Envisioning Equity in Montgomery County using Data
You are invited to two community meetings on using data to improve health of communities in Montgomery County - Past, Present and Future
Friday, September 7, 2018, 8 am - 3 pm, Silver Spring Civic Building, 1 Veterans Pl, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Saturday, October 20, 2018, 8 am - 1 pm, Silver Spring Civic Building, 1 Veterans Pl, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Come learn about ways that you can improve your health and ways you can help to improve the health of your community using data!
Please register for the meetings
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GIVE BACKpacks Campaign
Montgomery County Public Schools is raising funds to provide students with backpacks filled with school supplies. Nearly 56,000 MCPS students receive free and reduced-price meals - a federal indicator of poverty - and many families struggle to afford basic necessities. Just $10 will purchase a backpack filled with school supplies for one student.
mcpsgivebackpacks.org
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2018 KIDS COUNT Data Book is Now Available
The Annie E. Casey Foundation's
2018 KIDS COUNT Data Book
warns that the 2020 U.S. Census could shortchange the official census count by at least 1 million kids younger than age 5.
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Free Capital Bikeshare Memberships
Montgomery County's Low Income Bikeshare Program (MCLiberty) seeks to improve travel options for low income commuters living or working in the county or enrolled in job training or educational programs. See
more information and
application.
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Watershed Restoration & Outreach Grant Program
The Montgomery County Watershed Restoration and Outreach Grant program offered by Montgomery County Government and the Chesapeake Bay Trust is now accepting proposals for small-scale, on-the-ground restoration practices like rain gardens and permeable pavement to reduce stormwater runoff and pollutants through community-based projects. Equally, outreach projects engaging Montgomery County residents in local streams protection are highly encouraged. Grant awards of up to $100,000.
Deadline September 27th.
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MCAEL Announces Grant Awards for FY19
The Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy (MCAEL), announces the award of $1,190,000 in grants to support adult English literacy programs across Montgomery County. Funding for the grants is provided in partnership with the Montgomery County Government, with the support of County Executive Leggett and the Montgomery County Council.
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Court Watch Launches New Website
Court Watch is growing and expanding their impact. They work to reduce intimate partner violence in Maryland by ensuring victims have access to responsive justice and vital services that can stop the abuse quickly and permanently. Check out their new website.
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LEDC Provides Housing Counseling
Homebuyer orientation classes are held monthly and funding may be available to help with down-payment and closing costs. See website.
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Maryland SmartBuy Program Helps First-Time Homebuyers with Student Debt
The program will expand in August and will allow participants to purchase any eligible home in the state while eliminating up to $30,000 in student debt.
Learn more on SmartBuy website
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Help Celebrate Montgomery's Diversity and Commitment to Service
Save These Dates: Community Service Week
October 21-28
I certainly understand that in the fast paced news cycle we are living with these days, October seems a century away. But now is the time to start planning for Community Service Week. We will kick off the week at our World of Montgomery Festival on Sunday October 21 and highlight it on our 32nd annual Community Service Day on Saturday October 27.
Community Service Week is your opportunity to organize friends, family, coworkers, and others to do something meaningful to improve our community. If you are reading this, you are undoubtedly one of those people who is going to do community service no matter what. Thank you! But we all have friends, family, colleagues at work who have yet to discover the value of service. You've heard them: "Nah, my hour couldn't make a difference." So, with Community Service Week, you've got an answer: "Really, several thousand people all giving a couple of hours won't make a difference?" They reluctantly agree to go along. They serve. And then some of them finally get it. Community Service Week is your opportunity to convert someone to a life of service.
Organize your neighbors to clean up a park. Suggest to the PTA that October 27 would be a great day to spruce up the school inside and out. Get your faith congregation to collect food for the Manna Food Center. Help our neighbors in need by organizing your coworkers to have a volunteer bonding project at A Wider Circle or the National Center for Children and Families.
Our amazing Volunteer Center is ready to help you organize your project. Go to their website or contact Melissa Jackson at servicedays@montgomerycountymd.gov or call her at 240-777-2613 or call the main number at the Volunteer Center 240-777-2600.
Our Tenth Annual World of Montgomery Festival will be held on Sunday October 21 from noon to 4 p.m. on the Rockville campus of Montgomery College. Please put this on your calendar as County Executive Leggett will be hosting his final World of Montgomery Festival as County Executive, and you'll want to be part of thanking him for helping build such a welcoming community. In addition to excellent entertainment and sumptuous food from around the world, the Festival provides opportunities for hands-on activities including traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremonies, henna art painting, Chinese calligraphy, and craft making from across the world. Parents: this is the place to be to help your children understand what it means to be a global citizen. Don't miss the Parade of Cultures at 1:30 p.m. as it will make you so proud to live in Montgomery County.
Bruce Adams
Director, Office of Community Partnerships
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Citizenship Information Sessions Presented by Montgomery College and Catholic Charities
Are you a legal, permanent resident preparing for the U.S. citizenship test and interview? Come to an information session and discover how Montgomery College and Catholic Charities may be able to help you for free! Information sessions: August 7, August 11, September 11, September 15, October 9, October 13.
See more information.
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Citizenship Preparation Program at Multiple Locations
Free citizenship preparation classes and free naturalization legal assistance (through Catholic Charities) through a grant from the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS). Preparation classes are held at Montgomery College locations in Wheaton, Rockville, Germantown and Silver Spring, with various schedules designed to meet the needs of the learners.
Registration open until Aug 28. How to register: In the first 8 weeks of class, bring your green card and social security card to any class location and time listed here.
Walk-ins are welcome.
Find
more information and class schedule here
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Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center (APALRC) and Advancing Justice AAJC Hosting Citizenship Application Workshop
The workshop, held in partnership with the Office of Community Partnerships, will be held at the Rockville Memorial Library, 2nd Floor on Saturday August 25, 2018. The APALRC legal team and trained volunteers will assist participants with completing their naturalization applications (Form N-400) from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. There is no charge for assistance available through the workshop, which is open to all. For additional information, please call the APALRC at (202) 393-3572 or register online via this link.
Assistance will be available in Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Spanish and English. Please call to register in advance to ensure an interpreter will be available in your language. Individuals who require assistance in languages other than those listed should call in advance to request language support. To access our flyers in Chinese, English, Korean, and Vietnamese, use this link.
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Upcoming Meetings of County Executive's Ethnic & Faith Advisory Groups
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African Affairs Advisory Group Community Meeting on August 9, 7:00 - 8:30 PM at 1 Veterans Place (Civic Building), Silver Spring, MD. For more information on AAAG click here.
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The next Caribbean American Advisory Group Community (CAAG) Meeting will be on Tuesday, September 4th at the Silver Spring Civic Building. To stay updated on CAAG's activities and opportunities, please visit facebook.com/MoCoCaribbeans
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Interfaith Working Group Meetings
Aug 9 - Neighbors in Need Working Group - 12PM (Rockville Library)
Aug 16 - Faith Community Working Group - 2 PM (TBD)
Aug 22 - Religious Land Use Working Group - 2 PM (Upcounty Regional Services Center)
Aug 23 - FCAC Executive Committee - 1 PM (Rockville Library)
Contact Sierra Smith at smith.sierra@icloud.com
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The Middle Eastern American Advisory Group (MEAAG) will meet next on Monday, September 10th, at the Rockville Library, 3d floor, Mediation Room, 7 - 9 pm. Youth and adults are welcome. Contact Debbie Trent at dtrent@civilstrategies.net for more information.
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Local Organizations Recruiting for AmeriCorps
More than 75,000 people annually across the United States serve nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and community and faith-based groups through AmeriCorps, an intensive service work program often referred to as the "domestic Peace Corps." Locally, several organizations are now recruiting AmeriCorps members to help tackle a variety of needs in our community.
AmeriCorps members receive job experience, training, and are paid a living allowance stipend throughout the course of their service. They may also be eligible to receive an educational award at the end of their service and student loan deferment during their service.
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Study English, Citizenship, and Basic Computer Skills at the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center this Fall
Registrations for English, basic computer, citizenship and other classes at the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center will begin the week of September 4. Classes are held in Wheaton, East County, Gaithersburg, and Germantown. Please check out our
website for details and to see
fall classes!
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Gilchrist Center Staff Available to Guide You
Gilchrist Center staff are always available to help guide Montgomery County residents to services available from nonprofit and government providers related to health, housing, legal, education, and many other topics. We are ready to help you in your language! Please call 240-777-4940 or stop by one of our locations - in Wheaton, Gaithersburg, Germantown, or East County.
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AALEAD Family Reunion - August 4
Come and celebrate
AALEAD's 20 years in the DC area of supporting low-income Asian Pacific American youth with alumni, board members, staff, sponsors, supporters past and present!
Connect with old and new friends, free food, fun, games, face painting and a community mural!
August 4th at 11:00 AM at Woodrow Wilson High School
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Liberian Community Association held their First Annual Business Summit at St. Andrew's Ukranian Hall in Silver Spring on July 28.
August 5 - La Main Tendue - The Reach Out Hand - Annual Festival
One Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring 10 AM to 9 PM
September 6 - Proclamation of African Heritage Month will be formally held at the Silver Spring Civic Building, One Veterans Place, Silver Spring - 4 to 9 PM
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The African Affairs Advisory Group held their monthly meeting on July 12, 2018 at the Silver Spring Civic Building. The highlight of this month's discussion was celebrating the great strides made by the African immigrant community in their civic engagement. Due to the work of the AAAG and other groups promoting civic engagement, this year, approximately sixteen first and second generation African immigrants ran for office. This was a historic action by itself and six of these candidates won their primary elections. The AAAG celebrated the fact that Maryland is now first in the nation to have these many first and second generation African immigrants to run for public offices.
It is therefore fitting that we dedicate this month's AAAG report to one of our founding members, Mr. Mumin Barre, who has spent over 29 years advocating for involvement in civic and political matters in Montgomery County, MD.
Mumin is the first African-born elected to serve on the governing body of the Montgomery County Democratic Party in 2014. He has been re-elected to the same position this year.
He is recognized for his volunteerism and community service in many different circles of our diverse community. Mumin has served and continues to serve in groups including the Montgomery County Sister Cities, Governor's Commission on African Affairs, Committee for Ethnic Affairs, Africa-American Democratic Club of Montgomery County, District 39 Democratic Caucus, Faith Community Working Group's Education Committee, and Montgomery County Muslim Council.
Ten years ago, County Executive Ike Leggett appointed Mumin to be the founding Co-Chair of the African Affairs Advisory Group (AAAG). In his appointment letter, Mr. Leggett noted that Mumin brings skills and perspective that would be invaluable to the success of the Advisory Group. Ten years later and after successful changes in the leadership, the AAAG continues to be a cherished advocate for the African Diaspora. Mumin believes that Mr Leggett's vision of having more community voices at the table contributed to the fact that Montgomery County is one of the most diverse counties in the country and is a great place to live and work.
The African Affairs Advisory Group congratulates and thanks Mumin, and all those who have contributed and continue to contribute to the well-being of our community through civic and political involvement.
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Caribbean American Advisory Group
The Caribbean American Advisory Group Community (CAAG) is on break for the month of August. The next CAAG meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 4th at the Silver Spring Civic Building. To stay updated on CAAG's activities and opportunities, please visit
facebook.com/MoCoCaribbeans
Featured Advisory Group Member
CAAG is featuring Advisory Group members and the work they are doing in the community! Meeting Mona-Lee Belizaire, our new Health & Wellness Chair. She is of Jamaican heritage and the founder of Pearls for Potential Inc. Learn more about Mona-Lee.
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The Demographic Profile of the Caribbean American Community in Montgomery County
On Tuesday, July 10th, at the Rockville Memorial Library, CAAG members met with Dennis Linders,
CountyStat Analyst, to discuss the demographic profile of the Caribbean community here in Montgomery County and throughout the state of Maryland. Dennis provided an in-depth overview featuring all of the data available on the community and led a discussion on how that data is used by the County when providing services to the community and how we can build on the information. For more information on the data provided at the meeting, email
joanne.antoine@montgomerycountymd.gov
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New Caribbean Business Opens in Montgomery County!
On Sunday, July 15th, Port-au-Prince Restaurant officially opened its doors with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in downtown Silver Spring. The restaurant run by Chef Don Berto offers authentic Haitian cuisine, beautiful Haitian artwork, and atmosphere that feels like we have a piece of Haiti right in Maryland. Councilman Tom Hucker and Business Liaison, Daniel Koroma, attended the ceremony, officially recognizing the restaurant, and a number of CAAG members have already gone out to enjoy the food. To learn more about the new Caribbean restaurant, read this great piece in the Washingtonian!
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Muslim Belgium Delegation Visit
"Education is your passport to integration", wise words shared during the Interfaith Dialogue with the Muslim Belgium Delegation. It was a pleasure to share and learn about each other's similarities and differences. Thank you to the
Civilizations Exchange & Cooperation Foundation (CECF) for bringing such a well-rounded, diverse delegation to learn about interfaith relations in Montgomery County!
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Montgomery County's Iftar Celebration
Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett hosted his annual Iftar dinner in partnership with the Montgomery County Muslim Foundation and the Montgomery County Muslim Council on June 5, 2018 in the Executive Office Building Cafeteria.
The event was attended by more than 450 residents of diverse faiths and backgrounds. A number of elected officials--including Congressman John Sarbanes, Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh and Montgomery County Councilmembers Roger Berliner, Marc Elrich and George Leventhal--gave remarks which highlighted the social, economic and civic contributions made by Muslim residents.
The Board of MCMF and MCMC presented a letter of appreciation to County Executive Ike Leggett for his leadership and support of the Muslim community.
Two members of the community, Mohammad Aslam and Walid Hafiz, were presented with the Community Service Award in appreciation for their contribution and service to the community.
Following the program, a sumptuous dinner of exotic Pakistani dishes was served.
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Eid al-Adha - the Festival of Sacrifice
From sunset on August 20th until sunset the following day, followers of Islam will celebrate Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice. This, along with Eid al-Fitr (marking the end of Ramadan), are the two main Muslim holiday festivals. Eid al-Adha celebrates the end of the hajj, or pilgrimage, at Minaa, near Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and across the globe. It is a time of communal prayer, charitable works, and visits among family and friends. (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Eid-al-Adha).
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70th Annual Ahmadiyya Convention
The Beit-ur-Rahman Mosque in Silver Spring reports over 9,400 Ahmadis and guests in attendance at the 70th Annual Ahmadiyya Convention, held in Pennsylvania last month. Find a pictorial gallery
here
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Misconceptions of Women in Islam
August 10 at 6:30 PM at Sandy Spring Museum. Shattering Expectations - a special panel exploring the stereotypes of women in Islam.
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Can You Own the Conversation? Media Training
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Have News to Share?
To submit your news and events of interest to those in and serving Montgomery County's emerging communities and neighbors in need, email complete details and/or a press release to the OCP Newsletter.
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