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March 5, 2019 - Issue 131
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NEWS & EVENTS AROUND THE REGION
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Census Jobs - Apply Online
Check out
flyer and
webpage for application and information.
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Public Forum on Older Adults in the County's Diverse Racial, Ethnic, and LGBTQ Community
The Montgomery County Commission on Aging invites you to a Public Forum on Tuesday, March 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Center.
READ MORE
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Fight Acts of Hate and Bias
Communities United Against Hate (CUAH) is launching a year-long training series to engage the public around the issue of hate crimes and bias related incidents. The series is free and will feature quarterly themed modules addressing different aspects of hate and bias. Each module will culminate in a town hall, bringing together attendees, policy-makers, and other stakeholders to discuss key takeaways. For more information, click
here.
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Cloud Computer Training at Muslim Community Center
Saturday, March 9th and Saturday, March 16th -- Double Weekend Amazon Web Services (AWS) - Certified Solutions Architect Associate Training at the Muslim Community Center in Silver Spring. This is a highly sought-after Cloud Computing Certification program. For more information and to register, click here.
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A Kojo Roadshow on School Diversity in Montgomery County - The Kojo Nnamdi Show
As part of a series of events marking Kojo's 20th anniversary on the air, the program hosted a town hall discussion to hear what parents, teachers, students and school officials think about school boundaries and the achievement gap in MCPS. Listen to the show. |
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Montgomery County Cities Top List for Most Ethnically Diverse Small Cities
WalletHub, an online financial resource and services website for individuals and businesses, reports that four of the top ten most diverse cities in the country are in Maryland, including Gaithersburg, Germantown, Silver Spring, and Rockville. Gaithersburg ranked as the 2nd Most Culturally Diverse City amongst all 501 communities, and was #1 in the Small City Category for communities with populations under 100,000. To learn more about the study and how other communities ranked, visit
https://wallethub.com/edu/cities-with-the-most-and-least-ethno-racial-and-linguistic-diversity/10264/#citysize.
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Entrepreneur Training For Success Program
Empowered Women International offers sessions in Rockville every Monday and Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., running from March 27 through June 26. See the details here. |
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Rockville Goes Purple - March 7
The City of Rockville will launch its campaign for opioid abuse awareness on Thursday, March 7 at 6:30 p.m. at The F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater. The program will feature former professional basketball player and recovery advocate Chris Herren. The public is invited. For more information, click
here.
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Child Soldier Turned Hip- Hop Sensation to Speak at Montgomery College
Emmanuel Jal will speak at Montgomery College on
March 8th. A South Sudanese orphan forced to fight, he has produced six albums, a TED talk, an award-winning biography, and a starring role in
The Good Lie.
He also presents workshops on self-awareness, meditation and inner strength. This event is free.
READ MORE>>>
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International Women's Day
La Main Tendue's (The Reach Out Hand) International Women's Day "Balance for Better" Brunch and Panel Discussion will be held on March 9th at 14404 Rosemore Lane, Laurel MD 20707. Click here for details.
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New African Film Festival
Now in its 15th year, the New African Film Festival is co-presented by AFI, Africa World Now Project and afrikafé and showcases the vibrancy of African filmmaking from all corners of the continent, bringing the best in contemporary African cinema to the Washington, DC, area. The film festival takes place from March 7 - March 17.
LEARN MORE>>>
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March is Hunger Awareness Month
Learn, bake and share in your community. Gaithersburg is partnering with the King Arthur Flour Bake for Good program to encourage residents to attend free baking demonstrations and receive supplies to make two loaves of bread - one to keep, and one to donate to friends, neighbors or a nonprofit organization.
READ MORE>>
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Montgomery College Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) Spring Registration for Non-Credit Courses is Open
Montgomery College Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) offers non-credit courses in multiple disciplines for individuals 50+, but anyone is welcome to register. Some of the over 30 new, spring courses include: Roe v. Wade: Past, Present, and Future; American Artists in Paris; Triumph or Defeat: A Tale of German Reunification; The European Union: In Modern Times; Meditation Practices - Heart, Brain, Body Conne
ctions; and Protecting Your Hard Earned Money. LLI offers flexibility through daytime, evening, and weekend courses at multiple Montgomery County locations. Individuals ages 60 and over pay fees only; tuition is waived. Click here for registration information.
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Volunteers Sought for Cultural Arts Advisory Committee
The City of Gaithersburg Cultural Arts Advisory Committee (CAAC)
seeks to increase the number of voting members from seven to nine. Members are appointed by the Mayor
and City Council and serve as advocates for the City's cultural arts programs and facilities, advising elected officials and working with City staff to provide direction on cultural arts programming. The CAAC is accepting nominations for voting and non-voting members at this time.
READ MORE
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Nonprofit and Education Grant Funding
The City of Gaithersburg announces the availability of Fiscal Year 2020
Community Service, School and School-Based Nonprofit Grants that address the human service, educational
and community needs of City residents.
Applications will be accepted for FY20 grants starting March 1. The application
deadline is 4 p.m. on Monday, April 1, 2019. READ MORE>>>
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Housing and Small Business Courses
Want to improve or start your own business...buy a home...take control of your finances? The Latino Economic Development Corporation offers classes and workshops to help! Visit the website.
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Everyone Counts in Montgomery County
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Montgomery County Launches 2020 Census Outreach Activities
County Executive Marc Elrich and Council President and 2020 Census Complete Count Committee Chair Nancy Navarro signed a joint proclamation on February 13th, launching United States 2020 Census outreach activities in Montgomery County and the activation of the Complete Count Committee of Montgomery.
"We want every person who resides in Montgomery County to be counted," said Elrich. "We had one of the highest return rates in 2010; and we want to do even better in 2020. We need an accurate count for all of our diverse population of more than 1 million people in the 2020 Census to make sure Montgomery County receives its fair share of representation in Congress and the Maryland General Assembly and its fair share of federal and state funding. Not having everyone counted can result in a loss of millions of dollars of funds for vital County programs and services."
Census Day is April 1, 2020; and Montgomery County's theme for the 2020 integrated partnership and communications campaign is "Everyone Counts in Montgomery." "We want to use this opportunity to really drive home that 'Everyone Counts in Montgomery.' Our County is home to a diverse population with a growing aging community; and in order for us to receive our fair share of funding and representation, we need to communicate to everyone the importance of the 2020 Census," said Navarro. "Essential services that all the people who live, work, and play here rely on are determined, in part, from census data. However, we are faced with a unique challenge with the 2020 Census: Adding a citizenship question would deter millions of immigrants across the U.S. from participating. This is why I spearheaded a Council resolution in 2018 to oppose the addition of a citizenship question. I was very pleased to see that the proposed citizenship question was blocked by a Federal judge back in January, and I sincerely hope the decision is upheld."
Montgomery County Government will work with its partners to develop fliers and marketing materials in different languages. The County will also leverage festivals, host a kickoff event in late spring, and work with faith communities and congregations to plan events to promote participation in the 2020 Census. The Census Bureau's primary mission is conducting the U.S. Census every 10 years, which allocates the seats of the U.S. House of Representatives to the states based on their population. The bureau's various censuses and surveys help allocate federal funds each year; and it helps states and local jurisdictions make informed decisions such as where to build and maintain schools, hospitals, transportation infrastructure, and public safety departments. For more information about the United States 2020 Census, visit
www.census.gov.
The Office of Community Partnerships will lead County's 2020 Census outreach efforts to ensure an accurate, fair and inclusive count
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Stay up-to-date with our activities by making sure you are receiving our
monthly newsletters
or by checking the
Montgomery County website.
Cảm Ơn (Thank You),
Diane Vy Nguyen-Vu
Director, Office of Community Partnerships
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March Workshops and Information Sessions
- Free consultation with experienced immigration attorneys and assistance with citizenship applications (English)
- Saturday, March 23, 2019, 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Gaithersburg Library, 18330 Montgomery Village Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20879
- For an appointment, please call 202-706-7135
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Free Immigration Legal Services & Citizenship Program Provided by African Communities Together
Are you living/working in Montgomery County and interested in becoming a U.S. Citizen? Click
here
for information in English, French, Amharic.
- Sixty hours of intensive English language instruction
- Prepare for the citizenship exam
- Free legal assistance with your citizenship application.
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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:
March 5th at 6pm or March 9th at 9am. For more information, click here.
> Free Citizenship Preparation Classes
Montgomery College (MC) provides FREE citizenship preparation classes throughout Montgomery County, including locations in Rockville, Silver Spring, and Wheaton. Multi-level classes are funded through a grant from United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) at various schedules to meet the needs of learners. Registration will begin on March 5th at 6 p.m. or March 9th at 9 a.m.To register, please bring your green card to Montgomery College, 11002 Veirs Mill Road, Wheaton, MD, 20902. Please check the MC Citizenship Website for more information or call
240-567-8839.
> Free Legal Services Provided by Pro Bono Program
The Pro Bono Program provides
FREE LEGAL SERVICES to low-income county residents in civil cases. The Pro Bono Program provides two means for residents to receive free services: at a legal advice clinic or through the client intake line for referral to an attorney volunteer for direct representation. Information is available in
English and
Spanish.
- The Montgomery County Maryland Bar Foundation Pro Bono Program Legal Clinics meet twice a month throughout Montgomery County (Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center & Germantown meet only once a month). Each clinic is staffed by attorneys versed in different areas of practice including immigration. Click here for schedules.
- Please note that the East county clinic that meets the 1st Thursday of every month has two Immigration attorneys to address inquiries regarding immigration.
The Pro Bono Program is committed to helping the residents of Montgomery County, MD. Individual circumstances may vary and in some cases we may not be able to assist everyone.
Call the Pro Bono Program at 301-424-7651 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday for additional information.
LANGUAGE SERVICES AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
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Language Access Services by Ayuda
Do you provide services to Maryland victims of crime? Do you ever need a spoken or sign interpreter to communicate with the victims whom you serve? The Language Access Program at Ayuda can provide you with professionally trained, trauma-informed interpreters at no cost (because of funding from the Maryland Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention).
This new program will be launching in February or March of 2019. Please email
interpreterbank@ayuda.com, with "Maryland Victims" in the subject heading, to learn more and to add your organization to the list of those that will receive services.
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Financial Assistance for Citizenship Application Fees
CASA, in partnership with Montgomery County, is offering financial assistance to those who are eligible to apply for citizenship but cannot afford to pay the application fee. Residents of Montgomery County who earn less than 300% of the federal poverty guideline may qualify for a scholarship in the amount of $150 or $300 to help pay the application filing fee. Interested applicants should call (240) 560-2272 for more information. Flyers are available in
English
and
Spanish
. Note: Low-income individuals seeking to apply for citizenship may also be eligible for a
fee waiver
or
reduced fee
through USCIS.
> Breaking Silence: Interpreting for Victim Services
Breaking Silence is a 4-day, 32-hour training during which interpreters gain the skills necessary to work directly with crime victims. Applicants who successfully complete the training will be given the opportunity to sign a contract to begin accepting paid assignments as independent contractors for Ayuda's Victim Services Interpreter Bank.
The training will take place in Silver Spring, MD from Friday, May 17, 2019 through Monday, May 20, 2019 (from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on all 4 days). The training is free, but applicants who are selected to attend will be asked to submit a $50 deposit online in order to hold their place in the class. Deposits will be refunded upon successful completion of language proficiency testing (if required by Ayuda) and of the training. CEUs for spoken and sign language interpreters will be offered. Click here for additional information.
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 Leaders from the County Executive's six ethnic advisory groups (African, African American, Asian, Caribbean, Latino, and Middle Eastern) met with County Executive Marc Elrich on March 2 at the Silver Spring Civic Building to discuss budget priorities and strategic plans for OCP. Members of the advisory groups are appointed by the CE to ensure that the county executive is well informed of and able to act effectively in responding to the needs and concerns of the county's diverse communities, and to work collaboratively with government, nonprofits, and community organizations in creating an inclusive, equitable and welcoming county. |
Upcoming Meetings of County Executive's Ethnic & Faith Advisory Groups
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African Affairs Advisory Group (AAAG)
will meet on Thursday, March 14, 2019 at the Silver Spring Civic Building, 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, MD from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. These monthly meetings are open to the public. For more information, please contact Josephine.Garnem@montgomerycountymd.gov.
To stay updated on AAAG's latest events and opportunities, please visit
www.facebook.com/Africanaag, Instagram: @Africanaag, Twitter: @Africanaag.
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| Caribbean American Advisory Group (CAAG) will meet on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 for a discussion on Human Trafficking and Prevention in the Caribbean community. The meeting will be held at the Silver Spring Civic Building, 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, MD from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. For more information, please contact joanne.antoine@montgomerycountymd.gov. |
Latin American Advisory Group will meet on Tuesday, March 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the OCP suite at the Rockville Library. For more information, please contact Diane Vu at diane.vu@montgomerycountymd.gov.
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- Advanced Directives Workshop -- March 3, 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saint Camillus Roman Catholic Church,1600 St. Camillus Dr., Silver Spring, MD
Contact: Terri Murphy, Reverend, 240-535-3703, reverendterri@aol.com
- Advanced Directives Workshop -- March 7, 7:00 p.m. Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church, 9601 Cedar Lane, Bethesda, MD, Contact: Rev. Katie Romano Griffin, Assistant Minister, 301-493-8300, kromanogriffin@cedarland.org
- Faith Community Working Group -- March 12, 2:00 p.m. Rockville Library, 21 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD
Contact: Rev. Mansfield Kaseman, 240-447-1715, Mansfield.Kaseman@montgomerycountymd.gov
- Creating Parachutes for the Planet -- Sunday, March 24, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Presented by The Faith Community Advisory Council, Montgomery County Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions, and VisArts
Michaels Art Store, 1509 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD
RSVP at bit.ly/ParachutesForThePlanet; Contact: Walter Weiff at walter.weiff@verizon.net
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Middle Eastern American Advisory Group (MEAAG) will meet on Monday, April 8
, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at the Rockville Library, 3d floor, Mediation Room #331.
Please contact Debbie Trent at
dtrent@civilstrategies.net
for more information.
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Tidying Up? Donate Your Discards 
Have you been inspired by Marie Kondo to rid your home or office of items that don't spark joy? Or are you simply de-cluttering as part of your spring cleaning? Either way, if you're ready to donate items you no longer want, the Montgomery County Volunteer Center can help connect you to local nonprofits and government agencies that may need them.
Visit our
online donation resource page for a quick guide to organizations and the types of donated goods they receive--everything from books and clothing to garden supplies and athletic equipment. In addition, you'll find details on how to list furniture, office equipment, medical devices, craft supplies, and other items you may have available for donation in Hotlink, our weekly e-newsletter sent to the 1,200 nonprofits and government agencies registered with the Volunteer Center.
Listing donations in Hotlink is simple and easy. Just email the Volunteer Center at
volunteer@montgomerycountymd.org with a description of your items (including condition), the city or town where they would need to be picked up from, and your preferred contact information. Organizations then contact you directly to express interest; you can then work with any you choose to arrange pickup. Hotlink does not list donations of clothing, books, old-style (not flat-screen) televisions, or food; items must be in at least good condition.
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GILCHRIST IMMIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER
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Study English, Citizenship, and Basic Computer Skills in Your Neighborhood!
The Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center offers free and low-cost classes in Wheaton, Gaithersburg, Germantown, White Oak, and East Silver Spring. Learn basic computer skills, practice your English, or prepare for the citizenship exam with us! We can also connect you with many other county resources - and we can help you in any language.
We also offer drop-in conversation classes across the county so you can practice your English in a welcoming, relaxed environment - no charge and no registration needed!
Registration for our spring classes will take place at all locations during the first two weeks of April Please check out our website for registration dates and more details: https://montgomerycountymd.gov/gilchrist/programs_and_services.html
Find us on Facebook at GilchristImmigrantResourceCenter or call us at 240-777-4940.
Register Now! Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center Spring 2019 Computer Classes
Downcounty Providers Network Quarterly Meeting
The Gilchrist Center is holding the Downcounty Providers Network Quarterly Meeting on Wednesday, March 27 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center, 11002 Veirs Mill Road, Suite 506, Wheaton, MD 20902
The topic for discussion will be on Census 2020.
Montgomery County recently launched the Census 2020 Complete Count Committee, chaired by County Council President Nancy Navarro. This is the opportunity to learn about the upcoming Census, its challenges and the importance of collaboration among stakeholders in government, nonprofits, business leaders, philanthropy, faith communities and community members. In this session, we will learn the fundamentals of the Census and how we can work together to count everyone in Montgomery County, with a focus on hard-to-count communities.
Speakers: Alvenia McQueen, Census Bureau; Diane Vu, Office of Community Partnerships
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African Communities Together
 The African Affairs Advisory Group (AAAG) held its monthly meeting with over thirty community leaders in attendance. Special guest speaker Amaha Kassa, director and founder of African Communities Together (ACT), spoke about ACT's partnerships in Montgomery County and nationwide.
Mr. Kassa described ACT's work on civil rights advocacy; empowering African immigrants to integrate socially, succeed economically; providing leadership trainings; and encouraging communities to be more civically engaged. He also discussed ACT's success in winning extensions in Temporary Protected Status (TPS) cases; its advocacy in preventing the elimination of the Diversity Visa Program; and the free legal assistance it provides to hundreds of African immigrants.
After updates and comments from various members of the community, Fatmata Barrie, a representative from Councilmember Will Jawando's office and Catherine Provost from the Office of U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen made brief presentations. For more on the AAAG meeting, please see coverage by Alain Pierre Ombanglil and Matilda Banga of
Afrique Today at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkh06eSGrf4
AAAG Member to be Honored
Congratulations to AAAG member
Marie-Rose Sirikari for being nominated to receive the African Powerful Partnerships Award in New York in March 2019.
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Events 
On February 4th MEAAG Chair Debbie Trent attended the Executive Budget Forum at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School along with other ethnic advisory group members and community leaders to voice the need for ongoing dialogue and collaboration with county government, businesses, and non-profit organizations.
The annual
Middle Eastern American Heritage Celebration will be held on
Sunday, March 10th
, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
In
addition to the traditional festivities -- including regional table displays, artwork, historical and
cultural experts, and light fare -- actor and improvisation artist Saleh Karaman will serve as keynote
presenter and Tamer Elmeligy will perform traditional Egyptian tunes. For more information
and to RSVP, click here.
Saturday, March 9th and Saturday, March 16th -- Double Weekend Amazon Web Services (AWS) - Certified Solutions Architect Associate Training at the Muslim Community Center in Silver Spring. This is a highly sought-after Cloud Computing Certification program. For more information and to register, click here.
Saturday, March 16th -- 6th Annual Quran & Science Symposium at Baitur Rehman Mosque. Prior symposia have been held in New York and the University of Maryland. This is a great opportunity for families to expose their kids to science. For more information and registration, click here. Please RSVP soon since many science teachers and students have already signed up.
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AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY
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Sandy Spring Slave Museum & African Art Gallery 
On February 18th, the Sandy Spring Slave Museum & African Art Gallery hosted a tour and reception. There was a brief introduction about the history of the museum and the historic Sandy Spring community, followed by a tour which included a presentation of
the history of the Underground Railroad, Quilt Codes of the Underground Railroad, and mini-performances by some of the actors in our upcoming production of "The Living Museum- Civil Rights Era."
In the News
On February 18th, Fox 5-DC posted an article and video illustrating the historically black Pleasant View Site, in the Quince Orchard community. The Site just celebrated its 150th anniversary and continues to stand as a memorial to the African American experience in Montgomery County.
Check out the
article and video.
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CARIBBEAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY
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Caribbean Market Receives Recognition
Congratulations to The Caribbean Market for being recognized by the Comptroller of Maryland for its stellar service to the Caribbean community in Montgomery County since 2005! The market first opened in Wheaton in 1995 and has been a hit in the community ever since. Dave Narine, owner of the market, saw a golden opportunity to distribute Guyanese and West Indian products across the U.S., and for nearly three decades has provided Caribbean
products to supermarkets, restaurants, and households across North America through Dave West Indian Imports. To find fresh products straight from the region, visit The Caribbean Market at 7505 New Hampshire Ave. Suite 101, Takoma Park, MD
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Left to right: Ansar Burney, Architect; Abdul Sheikh, Project Manager; Nadeem Ahmad, President, Islamic Center of Maryland; Rev. Mansfield Kaseman, Interfaith Community Liaison; Tufail Ahmad, Chairman, Montgomery County Muslim Foundation; Adileh Sharieff, Trustee, Islamic Center of Maryland
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Plans Underway for New Health Clinic to Benefit Community Members
The Islamic Center of Maryland will be able to develop a 1,000 square foot clinic in its new 45,000 square foot Mosque with the pending passage of a zoning text amendment developed by Council President, Nancy Navarro, and co-sponsored by Councilmember Craig Rice. It is another example of the charitable contributions being made by the Muslim community to improve healthcare and offer hope for everyone. The Interfaith Community Liaison, Rev. Mansfield Kaseman, who is shepherding the project said, "I was proud to speak on their behalf and glad to be bringing governmental partners together to develop a clear pathway for faith communities to be in compliance with building and health related codes. The goal is qualifying for grants and providing optimal health for deserving residents."
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Bruce's Excellent Adventures Exploring the World of Montgomery
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Click here to watch video
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Join Bruce Adams, Former Director of Montgomery County's Office of Community
Partnerships, on a delightful tour of
Montgomery County's Five Sister Cities travels to Morazán, El Salvador; Gondar, Ethiopia; Xi'an, China; Hyderabad, India; and Daejeon, South Korea from 2010 - 2019. His presentation was delivered on February 21, 2019, Washington Metro Oasis, Bethesda, Maryland.
Special thanks to filmmaker Joy C. West for producing the video.
Ethiopian Sister Cities Delegation Reunion
Members of the January 2019 Ethiopian Sister Cities delegation reunited a month after their memorable trip to Ethiopia at a gathering hosted by two members of the delegation who
generously opened their home to all.
Joining the group were members of the Gondar Sister Cities committee, leaders from the Ethiopian Community, Director of the Office of Community Partnerships Diane Vy Nguyen-Vu, and County Executive Marc Elrich. After viewing a
video chronology of the trip, the group reminisced over delicious Ethiopian food. Delegation leader Councilmember Craig Rice and others shared their major takeaways from the trip and their commitment to stay engaged.
The highlight of the afternoon was County Executive Elrich's reiteration of his commitment to and support of the Montgomery Sister Cities initiative. He expressed his eagerness to welcome the Mayor of Gondar and other Ethiopian officials to Montgomery County soon.
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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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