NEWS & EVENTS AROUND THE REGION
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23rd Annual 'Taste of Wheaton' festival on Sunday, June 3:
11 a.m. to 5 p.m at the County Parking Lot 17 at 2320 Price Avenue (the corner of Price Avenue and Fern Street). The location is one block east of the Wheaton Metro station.
This free event will make available samples from the diverse restaurants in Downtown Wheaton and provide a full day of family and children's activities, exhibitors, a beer and wine garden and entertainment including four bands. Read more here.
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43rd Annual Freedom Fund Dinner by NAACP:
On May 6th, the Montgomery County Branch of the NAACP celebrated its 43rd Annual Freedom Fund Dinner at the North Bethesda Marriott. The theme for 2018 is "Steadfast and lmmovable". The keynote speaker was nationally and internationally renowned researcher, educator, author and presenter Dr. Joy DeGruy. Dr. DeRionne Pollard, the President of Montgomery College, was the MC. The Honorary Chairs for this year's event are the Montgomery County First Responders and County Executive Leggett was honored.
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Montgomery Parks Public Meetings:
Community Meeting Carroll Knolls Local Park
Tuesday, June 5, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Capital View-Homewood Local Park Activity Building, 2929 Edgewood Road, Kensington.
Montgomery Parks is holding a second community meeting to present and receive feedback on proposed park renovation concept plans for Carroll Knolls Local Park. Carroll Knolls Local Park is located at 10500 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring. Click here for additional information.
Community Meeting: Edith Throckmorton Neighborhood Park
Tuesday, June 12 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church Kengar, 3925 Hampden Street, Kensington.
Attend this third community meeting on the renovation plans to Edith Throckmorton Neighborhood Park. Staff will present updates on the design development and preferred plan for the park.The community is encouraged to attend the presentation and leave feedback on the project.
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Public Forum: High-Volume Priority Use of Public Facilities
Wednesday, June 6 from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the Executive Office Building Auditorium, 101 Monroe Street, Lobby Level, Rockville. For General Inquiries:Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. or 240-777-2725, Email: After-Hours Problem Line: 240-490-CUPF (2873)
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County Executive Candidate Housing Forum
Thursday, June 7th, 6 pm - 7:15 pm (doors at 5:30 pm), Housing Opportunities Commission , 10400 Detrick Avenue Kensington. Join the Montgomery Housing Alliance for a June 7th County Executive Candidate Forum. County executive candidates will discuss their views on affordable housing and how they plan to tackle the housing crisis. Confirmed candidates attending the forum: Roger Berliner, David Blair, Marc Elrich, Robin Ficker, Rose Krasnow, and George Leventhal. Free RSVP here.
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Deadline Extended: Nominations for the 2018 Governor's Service Awards due June 13
The Governor's Office on Service and Volunteer has extended the deadline for nominations for the 2018 Governor's Service Awards. Nominations will now be accepted until Wednesday, June 13 at 11:59 p.m.
The awards recognize Marylanders who have provided significant volunteer contributions in 2017 to communities around the state and have worked to change Maryland for the better. Nominate a volunteer today!
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Council provides $425,000 for fiscal year 2019 operating budget to fund Small Business Innovation Research Matching Grant Program
The Montgomery County Council approved the fiscal year (FY) 2019 operating budget on Thursday, May 24. Included in the budget is a total of $425,000 for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Matching Grant Program. The program provides matching fund for businesses that receive federal SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants. Councilmember George Leventhal, who serves as chair of the Council's Health and Human Services Committee and is a member of the Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee, was the lead sponsor of Bill 41-17.
The funds will be available to the SBIR Matching Grants Program on July 1.
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Registration Open for Montgomery County Recreation and Montgomery Parks Summer Programs and Activities
Registration is now open via ActiveMONTGOMERY.org,
the registration and facility reservation system shared by Montgomery County Recreation, Montgomery Parks and Community Use of Public Facilities.
If you are registering for a Montgomery County Recreation program, contact a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist at 240-777-6870 or email.
When registering for a Montgomery Parks program, call the Montgomery Parks Program Access Office at 301-495-2581 (Voice/TTY), MD Relay 7-1-1 or 800-552-7724 or email. Visit website for more information.
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Leveling the Playing Field Offers Free Sporting Equipment to Nonprofits
For nonprofits looking for free sports equipment to enhance programming and save money, Leveling the Playing Field, a local charity, provides free sports equipment to programs looking to provide affordable, accessible sports programming for their community.
Their warehouse has roughly a million dollars of sporting equipment for tennis, soccer, golf, baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse and more. LPF has donated over $2 Million to over 500 programs worldwide. To learn more and apply to receive equipment, visit the LPF donation site. Additional questions? Email Ian Cohen or call 301-844-5621.
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Interactive Website Launched to Understand Demographics of Self-Sufficiency
A new interactive website will help government agencies, nonprofit organizations, advocates and policy makers understand the demographics of county residents living below the self-sufficiency standard threshold. Learn more about Montgomery's Interactive Self-Sufficiency Standard here. To view the interactive website, click here.
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Restaurants & Nonprofits Can Now Join Community Food Rescue's Food Recovery Network
Community Food Rescue is Montgomery County's food recovery network. Learn how you as a food business can donate your surplus unsold food easily with a click of button through Community Food Rescue. Learn how you as a non-profit food assistance organization can obtain good food for your clients who are food insecure. Learn how you as a volunteer can become a volunteer food runner to transport food from donors to recipient organizations throughout Montgomery County. Click to visit website to learn more.
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Beacon Celebration of the Arts: Online Art Competition for area amateurs 50 and up:
If you paint or draw, make pottery, jewelry, sculpt or enjoy digital photography or poetry, you are invited to enter your best works in the Celebration of the Arts - a competition for amateur artists 50 and over who live in Maryland, D.C. or Virginia.
The online competition opens April 1 and runs through June 29. Read complete rules and details here, or call (301) 949-9766.
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Sandy Spring Museum Refugee Art Exhibit:
May 2 through September 2: Collection of artwork created by refugees residing in the DC metro region.Uprooted: The Art of Refugees will commence with an opening reception Saturday, May 5, 1:00-3:00 PM at the museum.
Starting May 5, the museum will be open Thursdays from 10 am - 8 pm, and Fridays and Sundays from 11 am - 4 pm. There is no admission charge. For more information visit www.SandySpringMuseum.org
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Montgomery College (Rockville Campus) Bilingual Mediation Training Course
June 1 to 10th. Training is open for anyone 18 years and above who are ready to expand their communication and conflict skills and includes lots of role play and activities to give you a hands on experience.This course is tailored for anyone who on a daily basis works with people. Business, non-profits, government agency and education employees will find this an invaluable experience. Click here for details or search for course on college website. Course ID is ID HBI176. Download form here.
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Free Expungement Clinic
NAACP's Expungement Clinic is on Thursday, June 21 from 6:00pm - 9:00pm at the Silver Spring Civic Center. This event will give participants the opportunity to learn more about expungement and meet with volunteer lawyers who will assist with completing expungement applications. For queries please email jo@minoritycounselor.com.
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Montgomery College Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) Summer 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 new Summer courses Puerto Rico: From West Side Story to Hurricane Maria, Treasures of the Musée d'Orsay in Paris - A Virtual Tour, Genetics in Modern Society, and Gentle Cardio Dance for Fitness. 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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Heritage Days 2018
Saturday, June 23 & Sunday, June 24 - noon to 4pm - FREE!
At 40 sites throughout Montgomery County. Join Heritage Montgomery in celebrating the 21st annual Heritage Days with a weekend packed with fun, family-friendly, free events all across the county. For details visit website or call 301-515-0753.
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KoBe (Knowledge of Business Enterprise) Creates economic opportunities through collaboration with the public sector
KoBE supports over 200 businesses in their pursuits to actively participate in government procurement and provides guidance in helping to advance into the US procurement market in a variety of fields. Joining KoBE gives business owners the opportunity to exchange information and share Contract Vehicles with a close network of members while establishing Win-Win partnerships. Learn more here.
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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
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Montgomery County Hosts Guests From China, Ethiopia, Germany, & United Kingdom
Building a Network of Welcoming Communities
Montgomery County is proud to be a leader in the Welcoming America movement. Welcoming America's message is very simple: "Just as fertile soil is needed for a seed to grow, welcoming communities foster a culture and policy environment that makes it possible for newcomers of all backgrounds to feel valued and to fully participate alongside their neighbors in the social, civic, and economic fabric of their adopted hometowns."
With a charge from County Executive Ike Leggett to become one of the most welcoming communities in the nation and the world, Montgomery County proudly joined the movement soon after Welcoming America launched in 2009. Through the Welcoming America network and our Montgomery Sister Cities program, we learn about national and international best practices that can help improve our culture of treating all of our residents with dignity and respect.
In just the last few weeks, Sister City delegations from Xi'an, China and Gondar, Ethiopia and Welcoming America delegations from Germany and the United Kingdom have met with County Executive Leggett during fact-finding trips designed to learn about our innovative approaches for immigrant integration and welcoming new residents. Kasey Kaseman, our interfaith liaison, is frequently on call from the State Department to meet with international delegations interested in understanding how Montgomery County taps into the time and talents of our diverse faith communities through our Faith Community Advisory Council.
Daniel Koroma has made an enormous contribution to this work. County Executive Leggett asked us to bring new voices and fresh faces to the policy table by building a bigger policy table. The African and Caribbean immigrant communities were among our top priorities. With the difficult budget challenges caused by the international economic meltdown, we did not have adequate resources. Because of his extraordinary commitment to the importance of this work and entrepreneurial skills, Daniel was able to grow the County Executive's advisory groups, establish a Sister City with Gondar, Ethiopia, and bring the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center to the East County despite resource challenges. Daniel and our colleague Julian Norment have brought a Pan African point of view to the County Executive's budget deliberations because of their ability to bring people together. After serving the African and Caribbean immigrant communities and strengthening our capacity to serve the residents of our East County, Daniel has taken an important new position as a small business liaison in the County Executive's office. The good news is that Daniel is still serving the residents of Montgomery County. He works for you and you can still find him at daniel.koroma@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Bruce Adams
Director, Office of Community Partnerships
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Montgomery College Offers Citizenship Preparation Program
Montgomery College offers 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, and Silver Spring, with various schedules designed to meet the needs of the learners. Registration dates are as follows:
June 5th at 6 pm
June 9th at 9 am
July 10th at 6 pm
July 14th at 9 am
Registration takes place at Montgomery College Westfield South location, 11002 Veirs Mill Road, Suite 306, Wheaton. For more information, please contact: Izis Weills at (240) 567-8839 or email. You can also find information here.
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CCUMC Free Citizenship Class
A free Citizenship Class is offered at Chevy Chase United Methodist Church 3 times a year for 10 weeks at a time. The next series of classes starts on Saturday, May 12, and will continue every Saturday until July 7. Each class is from 10 AM until 12 NOON at the church at 7001 Connecticut Ave. Enter the church from the parking lot off of Shepard St. and go down the steps to the Citizenship Room.
We can help you with every step of the application process and with preparation for the interview. We have mentors who will give you one-on-one assistance during each class. If you are interested, you can just come to any class on Saturday or call the church at 301-652-8700 or one of the teachers: Bob at 301-830-3317 or Judy at 202-250-4365.
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Citizenship Application Workshop
Saturday, June 9, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Rockville Library - 2nd floor meeting room 21 Maryland Avenue, Rockville. Call (202) 393-3572 for an appointment. The Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center (APALRC) and Advancing Justice | AAJC in partnership with the Montgomery County Office of Community Partnerships will be hosting a Citizenship Application Workshop where the APALRC legal team and trained volunteers will assist participants with completing their naturalization applications.
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.
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Citizenship Clinic in Hyattsville
Saturday, June 9 ; 9am-12pm at 8151 15th Ave., Hyattsville, CASA Multicultural Office. Walk-ins are welcome. Call 240-560-2272 for pre-screening and more information. Assistance will be provided in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese. Come to this clinic to complete your citizenship application. When necessary, you can meet an attorney for discussing your eligibility. Learn about the opportunity of filing for free when you are eligible for a USCIS fee waiver, or financial aid for to afford the fee. You may also register for a citizenship class to prepare for the naturalization interview.
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Citizenship/Legal Immigration Fair
A free Citizenship Class is offered by Baltimore City Community College Workforce Development and Continuing Education Division, with support from United States Citizenship & Immigration Services. Classes will be held at Eastcounty Regional Services Center, 3300 Briggs Chaney Road, Silver Spring, TUESDAYS | 5:30pm - 8:30pm April 10 to June 26, Register in class in first 8 weeks - until June 7th. Contact us at 410-986-3201 or visit www.bccc.edu/citizenship
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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 Thursday, June 14 from 7:00PM-8:30PM at The Silver Spring Civic Building - One Veterans Place Silver Spring. To stay updated on AAAG's latest events and opportunities, please visit Facebook: www.facebook.com/Africanaag, Instagram: @Africanaag, Twitter: @Africanaag.
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Asian Pacific American Advisory Group will meet on June 21 at 6:00pm, location is yet to be decided. Contact Diane Vu at diane.vu@montgomerycountymd.gov for additional information.
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Due to the month of Ramadan, the Middle Eastern American Advisory Group (MEAAG) will not meet in June. Our next meeting is on Monday, July 9th, 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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Faith Community June Advisory Council Meetings
June 6
Education Committee Meeting
Location - Rockville Memorial Library Suite 331 5:30-7 PM
June 8
Neighbors in Need Working Group (Every 2nd Friday of the Month)
Location - Conference Call from 8-10 AM
June 14
Faith Community Working Group (Every 2nd Thursday of the Month)
Location - Jewish Community Relations Council from 2-4 PM
June 18
Emotional and Spiritual Care Volunteers (ESCV) Meeting
Location - Rockville United Church Kaseman Hall 7-9 PM
June 27
Religious Land Use Working Group (Every 4th Wednesday of the Month)
Location - UpCounty Regional Services Center from 2-3 PM
June 28
FCAC Executive Committee (Every 4th Thursday of the Month)
Location - Rockville Memorial Library Suite 331 1-3 PM |
RSVP/AARP Tax-Aide Volunteers Help Residents Receive Millions in Tax Refunds
More than 140 RSVP/AARP Tax-Aide Program volunteers recently wrapped up another successful tax season, preparing--for free!--federal and state tax returns for 6,448 low- to moderate-income county residents, many of them seniors. These efforts generated more than $4.6 million in refunds. The program is coordinated through Montgomery County's Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), part of the Volunteer Center.
To celebrate the work of the Tax-Aide volunteers, Asbury Methodist Village hosted a sumptuous appreciation brunch at which County Executive Ike Leggett presented the group's volunteer management team with a proclamation in honor of Senior Corps Week.
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Molly Callway, Volunteer Center director; Betsy Southall, state office director for the Corporation for National & Community Service; Lynn Kinch, volunteer district coordinator for the RSVP/AARP Tax-Aide Program; County Executive Ike Leggett; Kathleen Meaney Stobie, RSVP director; James Eulau, volunteer scheduling coordinator; Carley Lee, volunteer RSVP manager; Jennie Foont from Rep. Jamie Raskin's office; and Queen Nwafor from Sen. Chris Van Hollen's office
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Interested in joining this incredibly hard-working and congenial team next tax season? Visit the Volunteer Center website to learn how to volunteer as a tax counselor, client facilitator (greeter), or scheduler. Or email the Tax-Aide Program for more information. Volunteer information is distributed in the fall.
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The Gilchrist Center Connects Visiting German and British delegations to Montgomery County's Immigrant Integration Practitioners
The Gilchrist Center hosted two delegations from Europe: Germany and U.K. in the month of May.The German delegation visited Montgomery County, May 1-3 through Welcoming Communities Transatlantic Exchange Program, the professional exchange program that annually convenes more than 40 professionals from the United States and Germany to share best practices and learn from one another about the reception and integration of immigrants and refugees at the local level.
This year, Montgomery County was chosen as one of the four U.S. communities to participate in the program, and hosted a group of 7 immigrant integration practitioners from five localities: Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Iserlohn, the County of Bautzen, and the County of Teltow-Flaming. While in Montgomery County, the German participants visited and met with a number of immigrant integration practitioners to learn about community advocacy.
The group also experienced the Underground Railroad Experience Hike at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park in Sandy Spring.
The British delegation visited Montgomery County, May 22-23 through Inclusive Cities, a project of University of Oxford's Centre on Migration, Policy and Society (COMPAS). The project is a knowledge exchange initiative, which aims to support the cities to develop a step change in their approach to newcomers. The twelve-member delegation consisted of representatives from six United Kingdom (U.K.) cities - Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool, Peterborough and London. The group visited Montgomery County to learn how communities in the United States approach integration of newcomers. They met with Faith Community Working Group and Montgomery County Police Department to learn about building trust in our community through collaboration, HHS Director Uma Ahluwalia to discuss public-private partnerships, Montgomery College and Economic Development Corporation to learn about their innovative approaches for workforce development and economic development, and Takoma Park Mayor and Takoma Park Mobilization representatives to learn about their neighborhood initiatives.
Both German and U.K. delegations were warmly welcomed by County Executive Ike Leggett.The Welcoming Communities Transatlantic Exchange is administered by Cultural Vistas, in collaboration with Welcoming America and the Heinrich Boll Stiftung North America. The program is funded by the Transatlantic Program of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany through funds of the European Recovery Program of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy (BMWi), as well as by the U.S. Department of State, the Robert Bosch Stiftung, the Heinrich Böll Foundation, and BMWi Group.
For more information,
visit website
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Inclusive Cities is a project of University of Oxford's Centre on Migration, Poilcy and Society (COMPAS). The U.S. visit was made possible through their collaboration with Welcoming America.
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Health Freedom Celebration Walk
Saturday, June 9, The Underground Railroad Experience Trail, 16501 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860. The Health Freedom Celebration Walk is a 5K journey that is designed to motivate and inspired participants to get in the best shape of their life while honoring those who traveled the route of the Underground Railroad through Maryland!
We celebrate those who walked for freedom from the bondage of slavery and those who assisted in the struggle. The Celebration Walk route highlights historical landmarks and inspiring stories of freedom seekers. Additional activities include free health screenings, health information, local historians, free giveaways and much more! Register here.
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Montgomery County Gears Up for 22nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration
Friday, June 15 at the BlackRock Center for the Arts, located at 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown. Doors will open for this special event at 6:00 p.m. and the program will begin at 6:25 p.m.
The event is hosted by the County Executive and will highlight the contributions of African Americans who are living legends in our community. The program will begin with a welcome by Mr. Leggett who will present the African American Living Legend Awards to honorees who have dedicated their lives to service and excellence in their contributions to the African American community. The evening will feature special performances and music followed by an old-fashioned barbeque dinner.
Seating is limited so reservations are encouraged and can be made online. For more information, call James Stowe at the Office of Human Rights at 240-777-8490.
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Vietnamese American Services (VAS) May Activities
On May 6th, volunteers from Vietnamese American Services (VAS) worked together to bring an event to celebrate Mother Day for 100 Vietnamese Seniors. This is the first time in our community, isolated seniors and disabled persons were picked up by volunteers and brought to this free event with food, entertainment, gifts and were connected with the community.
On May 8th, the Montgomery County Council issued a proclamation declaring the month of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Ms. Tho Tran, the Executive Director of Vietnamese American Services (VAS), got an award recognizing her leadership and contributions to the Vietnamese community in the County.
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African Affairs Advisory Group (AAAG) - Doing Business in Montgomery County
May 12, the County Executive's African Affairs Advisory Group (AAAG), hosted its monthly community meeting at the Silver Spring Civic Building. The keynote speaker for this meeting was Daniel Koroma, Montgomery County Finance Liaison. Daniel presented on Doing Business in Montgomery County and shared with the group the 2018 Annual Economic Development Fund report. Other speakers included Isaac Asare giving a report on the Community Action Agency, and Melanie T. Pinkert, Programs and Exhibits Consultant, Sandy Spring Museum to discuss Uprooted: The Art of Refugees, the museums' present art exhibit.
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First Southern African Festival Hosted in Montgomery County
The Southern African Community USA (SACU) hosted their first southern African festival at the Veterans Plaza in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland. HE Ambassador Edward Sawerengera of Malawi was the keynote speaker and formally opened the festival. The event showcased food, music, arts, crafts and clothing from various southern African countries. A citation from the County Executive, congratulating the Southern African community, was given by the County Executive's Liaison Officer to the African Community, Josephine Garnem.
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Caribbean American Advisory Group (CAAG) Open House
In honor of Caribbean American Heritage Month, residents of Caribbean/West Indian heritage are encouraged to join the Caribbean American Advisory Group (CAAG). Attend CAAG's Open House this Tuesday, June 5th at 7pm in Silver Spring to learn more. RSVP here.
Unable to attend?
Nominate or Apply for membership today! To apply, visit website.
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12th Annual Caribbean American National Heritage Month
On Thursday, June 14, 6:00PM to 8:30PM, Silver Spring Library, Montgomery County and the County Executive's Caribbean American Advisory Group will celebrate the 12th anniversary of Caribbean American Heritage Month.
This years theme is "Claiming Our Power." Join for an empowering conversation exploring how the Caribbean diaspora in Montgomery County and throughout the state of Maryland can ensure its voice in heard in the upcoming 2018 elections, 2020 census, and beyond. Register here.
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Middle East Institute's Second Annual Photography Contest
The theme for MEI's second annual digital photography contest is "Generations." This year's contest seeks photographs documenting the lives and traditions of past generations, the hope and aspirations of future ones, and the transitions between them. This competition is open to all professional and amateur photographers around the world. The images should focus on the countries and cultures of the Middle East and North Africa.
Winning photos will be displayed at MEI's Annual Gala on November 7 in Washington, D.C. Please read all contest rules before submitting. The deadline for submissions is June 8.
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Healthy Aging, Community Services Multi-Cultural Event
On May 6th, the American Muslim Senior Society (AMSS) held a multi-cultural inaugural event and graduation of AMSS Health and Long -Term Care and Outreach Ambassadors. The celebration was held at the Silver Spring Civic Center. The
event was special and a great success. The ambassadors received their graduation certificates and AMSS was honored with a proclamation read by County Executive Ike Leggett.
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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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