NEWS & EVENTS AROUND THE REGION
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Independence Day Celebrations in Montgomery County
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County Executive Hosts Online Chat on July 11
Join County Executive Marc Elrich for an online chat from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 11 via the Montgomery County website. You may submit questions to the county executive before and during the online event at Live Discussion with County Executive Marc Elrich. Questions and answers will be available online. For more information, call the Office of Public Information at 240-777-6507.
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Montgomery County Launches 2019 Online Resident Survey
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich wants residents to know the County has launched an online survey to gauge residents' assessment of their local government, its services and their quality of life. The 2019 Resident Survey was mailed to 5,000 randomly selected County households in the first week of June, and residents who did not receive the questionnaire in the mail are invited and encouraged to participate online at https://bit.ly/2019mcmd.
For more information, click here.
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Festival Guide 2019
Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring holds Sunday festivals through Labor Day. Click
here for the full schedule of events.
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Census Jobs - Apply Online
Check out
flyer for more information.
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Montgomery College Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) Fall Registration Opens July 22nd
Montgomery College Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) offers non-credit courses in multiple disciplines for individuals 50+, but anyone is welcome to register. There are over 34 new fall courses including Ashkenaz: The Jews of Eastern Europe; Treasures of Washington, DC art museums; Expanding Vocabulary-Building Memory and more. Daytime, evening and weekend courses are available at multiple locations. Individuals 60 and over pay fees only; tuition is waved. Click
here
for registration information.
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County Offers Opportunities to Small Businesses
The Local Small Business Reserve Program (LSBRP)
ensures that County departments award 20 percent (with specified exceptions) of their procurements for goods, services and construction to registered and certified local, small businesses. The program assists County departments in identifying solicitations appropriate for LSBRP competition and allows local, small vendors an opportunity to compete with businesses of similar size and resources for County contracts.
Learn more about LSBRP here. For information about the County's Office of Procurement, click here.
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Community Ministries Changes Name
CMR
(Community Ministries of Rockville) has changed its name to Community Reach of Montgomery County. The organization's mission, programs, etc. all remain the same.
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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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Pre-K/Head Start Applications
Montgomery County Public Schools Prekindergarten/Head Start Programs are now accepting applications for next school year for low-income children who will be 4 years old by September 1. Applications are taken Monday through Friday at Rocking Horse Road Center, 4910 Macon Road, Rockville, MD 20852 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
More information is available at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org or call 240-740-4530. |
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Celebración 20
Save the date for Identity's Celebración 20, an evening to celebrate 20 years of Latino youth reaching their highest potential. The event will be on September 26, 2019 at Universities at Shady Grove. Click
here
for more information.
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Neighborhood Matching Grant Program
The City of Gaithersburg is accepting applications for funding under the Frederick J. Felton Neighborhood Matching Grant Program. The program provides an incentive for neighborhood organizations to improve their communities by awarding dollar-for-dollar matching grants of up to $5,000. DEADLINE IS JULY 15.
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Upcoming Small Business Training and Workshops
Wherever you are with your business, taking it to the next level requires you to think differently and leverage a new set of resources. Learn more
here
about a wide variety of offerings and opportunities.
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IMMIGRANT SUPPORT IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY
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Joint Statement from County Executive Marc Elrich and Council President Nancy Navarro
Montgomery County values its diverse community that is made up of people from a variety of backgrounds, cultures and nations. We want to assure our residents that the County will continue to be a welcoming community for all.
The president's recent assertion that he will instruct U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal authorities to raid or round up immigrants has, once again, caused concern, fear and disruption in our community. This type of punitive action has become routine for the Trump administration, and we will continue to protect the
civil rights of our community members.
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July Workshops and Information Sessions
> 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.
- Dates for upcoming clinics (for more information, please make sure to read the brochure that is referenced above).
- TESS/Silver Spring TESS Community Service Center: July 17, 2019
- Immigrant Resource Center- Westfield South: July 10, 2019 and July 24, 2019
- Gaithersburg Library: July 8, 2019 and July 22, 2019
- 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.
>Free Citizenship Application Workshop Hosted by APALRC
The APALRC will host a free Citizenship Application Workshop on Saturday, August 3rd from
10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Rockville Memorial Library. At this workshop, attendees can expect to
receive free one-on-one assistance in completing the paperwork to apply for naturalization/U.S.
citizenship. Click
here for flyer in English; click
here for flyer in Russian.
This workshop is free and open to all regardless of country of origin or nationality. Assistance with Fee Waiver, Reduced Fee, and Medical Exception applications will also be provided, as applicable. We encourage everyone who is interested in attending this workshop to register in advance either online at
www.apalrc.org/citizenship-guide or by calling 202-706-7135.
>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! See
website
for more information.
>Free Citizenship Preparation Classes in Montgomery County
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. Please check the MC Citizenship website for more information or call 240-567-8839.
>Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) Baltimore
Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) Baltimore will offer several training opportunities in July. Please click here for detailed descriptions and registration information.
- Court Observation - Baltimore Immigration Court Master Calendar Hearing, July 8th at 8:30 a.m. and July 23 at 1:00 p.m.
- Webinar Training- How to Fill Out an I-485 Form, Application for Adjustment of Status (Based on Special Immigration Juvenile Status) Wednesday, July 10th, 2019, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. EST
- Introductory Training - Representing Children in Immigration Matters, Thursday, July 18th, 9:00-11:00am
- KIND Tips - If You Encounter ICE
- KIND Family Preparedness Plan
- ILRC Family Preparedness Plan
- ACLU Know Your Rights wallet card
- NILC Bilingual "Red" Card (to present to ICE)
>Free Immigration Clinic hosted by AYUDA
Get a one-on-one meeting with an attorney. Ask your immigration questions. This is a brief advice and referral clinic. If you meet with an attorney, the services you receive will be limited by time, expertise, and the information you provide. You will receive advice that is specific to your situation, but the attorney you meet with will not represent you after the clinic. Click here for flyer.
- When: SUNDAY, AUGUST 18, 2019, 2:00 P.M.
- Where: ST. CAMILLUS CATHOLIC CHURCH (CAMILLIA ROOM), 1600 ST. CAMILLUS DRIVE, SILVER SPRING, MD 20903
Language Access: Please call ahead if you need a sign language interpreter. We serve clients in all languages. Send an email to anastasia.sendoun@ayuda.com or call (202) 243-7315 with any questions
Language Services and Financial Assistance
>Language 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). Please write to
i
nterpreterbank@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.
>Financial Assistance for Citizenship Application Fees offered by CASA
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.
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Upcoming Meetings of County Executive's Ethnic & Faith Advisory Groups
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African Affairs Advisory Group (AAAG)
will meet on
Thursday, July 18, 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 Diane Vu, diane.vu@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 at the Civic Center on Tuesday, July 2nd beginning at 7:00 pm.
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Middle Eastern American Advisory Group (MEAAG) will meet on Monday, July 8th, 7:00 p.m. - 9 p.m. at the Rockville Memorial Library in the 3rd floor Mediation Room. Youth and adults are welcome. Please contact Debbie Trent at dtrent@civilstrategies.net for more information.
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Interfaith Community --
Racial Equity & Social Justice core group will hold a follow-up meeting on Tuesday, July 9 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Rockville Memorial Library
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Age 50+ and Eager to Make a Difference?
Face-to-Face Help for Finding Your Best Volunteer Fit
Do you want to use your talents, skills, or interests to help a nonprofit or government agency, but don't quite know where to begin? Start by contacting the
Montgomery County 50+ Volunteer Network. This Volunteer Center program has helped hundreds of residents find meaningful volunteer opportunities that meet their needs. Through individualized, in-person consultations with experienced advisers, these volunteers are now successfully serving at a broad range of organizations as tutors and mentors, program managers and assistants, client intake specialists, board members, consultants, communications specialists, administrative support, and more.
Email
50plus@montgomerycountymd.gov today to get started on finding your best fit volunteer opportunity.
Volunteer Center Programs Featured on Seniors Today
Seniors Today, a program produced by the Montgomery County Commission on Aging, featured the 50+ Volunteer Network and the Neal Potter Path of Achievement Awardees on a recent episode. Click here to watch.
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Save the date
September 5, 2019
African Heritage Month - Proclamation Day, 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, MD 20910
September 14, 2019
Cameroonian Doctors Association - Free Community Health Fair, Silver Spring Presbyterian Church (SSPC),
580 University Boulevard East, Silver Spring, MD 20901
September 21, 2019
Pan-African Festival 2019 - 10 YEAR Jubilee, 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, MD 20910
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AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY
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Exhibit Features Local Historic African American Communities
American University will be hosting an exhibition on the historic African American communities near River Road in Montgomery County from June 15 through August 11.
Gallery Talk: Plans to Prosper You will be held on July
20, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The event is
free and open to all. To register online, click here.
"Plans to Prosper You: Reflections of Black Resistance and Resilience in Montgomery County's Potomac River Valley" features the communities of Tobytown, Scotland, and Macedonia-Moses.
READ MORE>>
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Juneteenth Celebration
 On June 13th, Montgomery County held its 23rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration at Black Rock Theater for the Arts in Germantown. The African American Legends awardees were Dr. Winston A. Anderson, Irene B. Coleman, Coach Warren G. Crutchfield, Arva M. Jackson, Dr. Ruby Reese Moone, and Arthur L. Williams. Performances were provided the Montgomery County NAACP ACT-SO contestants. Click
here and
here to view additional photos.
Finding Fellowship Film Screening
On June 29th, the Quince Orchard Project and the Pleasant View Historical Association presented
a cocktail reception and screening of Finding Fellowship, a film that chronicles the 150+ year legacy of the community of Quince Orchard, Maryland. The film shares the complex journey from the Civil War to today with the intersection of faith, family, and friendship along the way.
All proceeds benefited the restoration and preservation of the Pleasant View Historic Site, which served as the center of African American life in Quince Orchard.
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CARIBBEAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY
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Caribbean American Heritage Month
On Tuesday, June 4th, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich presented a Proclamation to the County's Caribbean community to honor residents of Caribbean Heritage for their achievements and contribution to the County. This event was held at the Civic Center building in Silver Spring, with several elected officials, dignitaries and community residents participating. Delegate Gabriel Acevero, who has Trinidadian and Tobagonian heritage, was the keynote speaker.
Guests were entertained by Ms. Kerry Ann Williams and a large youth group of steel-pan players from Trinidad and Tobago who were representing the Cultural Academy for Excellence. Three individuals were presented with awards for their outstanding service and academic excellence: Delegate Acevero received the Ambassador Curtis Award for Leadership in immigration reform and public service; Rev. Kenneth Nelson received the Leo Edwards Award for Community Service for his support of the Caribbean community, his work at Montgomery Community College, Seneca Community Church in Germantown and Montgomery County community; Ms. Queanna Walker received the Rayness R. Mayne Business and Management Scholarship for her academic excellence in that field of study.
2019 Inaugural Caribbean Diaspora Ecumenical Service of Remembrance and Celebration
On Sunday, June 30th, CAAG partnered with the Caribbean Political Action Committee (CPAC) and other Caribbean organizations and their affiliates for the 2019 Inaugural Caribbean Diaspora Ecumenical Service of Remembrance and Celebration. The event acknowledged the year 1619, when the first Africans were brought to this region as forced laborers, thus beginning the slave trade. The service was held at the Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ in Washington, D.C.
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JUNE UPDATE
The Religious Land Use Working Group held a workshop for faith communities engaged in buying, building and renovating property in Montgomery County. It featured officials from the Departments of Permitting Services and Environmental Protection, Office of Community Use of Public Facilities, Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission and the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. The workshop drew approximately 40 people and provided information about saving time and money. These workshops are held periodically for the benefit of community members.
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 For World Refugee Day, the interfaith community worked with the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center and the Justice for Our Neighbors program of the United Methodist Church. Rev. Mansfield "Kasey" Kaseman presented a proclamation from the County Executive acknowledging 68 million displaced people in our world, deploring our country limiting incoming refugees to 20,000 per year, affirming the core American belief in the dignity of every person, and welcoming refugees to Montgomery County. The candlelight ceremony included Rockville Councilmember Mark Pierzchala, Gilchrist staff member Gabrigla Raudales,
Justice for Our Neighbors Executive Director Cynthia Griffiths, faith leaders and community members.
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 The fourth year of the "Multicultural Dialogues on Racism and Bias: Seeing the Divine in the Other" concluded with a message from Congressman Jamie Raskin. Special thanks to the Rev. Dr. Carol Flett and her team of facilitators for sustaining these life transformative dialogues. We are drawing from this experience as we go deeper in dealing with systemic racism and empowering the Racial Equity and Social Justice Initiative with County government.
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Left to right: Rev. Kasey Kaseman; Mr. Kim Golightly, member of the Washington D.C. LDS Stake Presidency; and Imam Ahmad Bahraini.
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The Interfaith Iftar at the Islamic Educational Center featured Rev. Kasey Kaseman addressing the "Ramadan Season as a Gift of Peace for Montgomery County" followed by a Q&A session. Men from the Church
of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints prepared and served dinner.
This was the 8th Interfaith Iftar in Montgomery County during the Holy Season of Ramadan, which reflects growing appreciation for interfaith engagement.
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The US Zen Institute in Germantown hosted the International Tipitaka Chanting Ceremony that brought the Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions together for three days of chanting in their native styles. Ven. Dr. Khammadipa Sak, Abbot of US Zen Institute, welcomed everyone, and Rev. Mansfield Kaseman addressed the opening ceremony that included His Excellency Mr. Aung Lynn, Ambassador Extraordinary of Myanmar; Ms. Boosara Kanchanalai, Chargé D'Affaires, the Royal Thai Embassy; Mr. Nguyen Chinh Hau, Political Counselor, Embassy of Vietnam; Mr. Anurag Kumar, Minister Community Affairs, Embassy of India and distinguished Buddhist leaders in Montgomery County including Ven. Sagarananda Tien, Ven. Bhante Katugastota and Dr. Sovan Ton. This is becoming an annual event, open to the public.
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June Update
MEAAG members Amjad Chaudhry and Debbie Trent attended the June 6th community policing forum convened by County Executive Elrich and Councilmember Jawando. Discussion focused on hiring a new police chief and officers who will be more culturally competent and representative of Middle Eastern and other ethnic minority communities.
 County Councilmember Will Jawando attended MEAAG's monthly meeting, summarizing his work on the Council's Education and Culture Committee and Planning, Housing, and Economic Development Committee. He also discussed his interaction with other ethnic advisory groups and appreciated the opportunity to become better acquainted with MEAAG. The Q&A session touched on topics such as lessons learned from the County's Amazon bid; how MEAAG members can connect with Department of Environmental Protection staff about a project idea; gratitude for additional police security inside and outside mosques and community centers during Ramadan, as well for the informative community policing forum held by Mr. Jawando and County Executive Elrich; and the importance of "Getting Out the Census" and enumerator job opportunities. Mr. Jawando helped MEAAG celebrate high school intern Mali Javadi's graduation from high school and scholarship to the Pratt Institute of Art.
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From left: Nancy Navarro, Mumtaz Jahan, Debbie Trent
There was standing room only at the June 26th
Community Conversation on
Racial Equity at the Black Rock Center for the Art
s in Germantown. MEAAG members Mumtaz Jahan, Debbie Trent, and Sahar Fahmy participated in the roundtable dialogues.
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MEAAG member Ashraf ElFiky, pictured above with his wife, Hasnaa ElFiky, were guests at the Egyptian embassy's June 10th reception to inaugurate Egypt Air's non-stop service from Dulles to Cairo.
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Bruce's Excellent Adventures: Exploring the World of Montgomery
On June 18th, Bruce Adams, former Director of Montgomery County's Office of Community Partnerships,
presented a "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. The event was held at the Connie Morella Library in Bethesda and was c
o-sponsored by Bethesda Metro Area Village and the Connie Morella Library.
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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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