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December 3, 2020 - Issue 150
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NEWS & EVENTS AROUND THE REGION
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Free COVID Tests
Do you need a COVID-19 test? Visit the County's website for information about upcoming testing clinics and to make an appointment. Click here.
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Mobile Markets at MC Campuses
The Mobile Food Market offers fresh produce and other foods at no cost to Montgomery College students, faculty/staff, and the community. READ MORE>>>
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Renters: Avoid Eviction
Concerned renters are encouraged to take advantage of financial, legal, and counseling supports to take actions to stay in their homes. Apply now for rent payment assistance.
Renters also can get help in avoiding eviction here.
Renters who receive a court notice are encouraged to contact Maryland Legal Aid (240-314-0373) and be sure to attend court, as lawyers are scheduled to be available to support renters.
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Nonprofit Service Fair
The Emmes Company is planning a virtual nonprofit service fair on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Nonprofits are invited to share their missions and volunteer opportunities.
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Lifelong Learning Courses
Zoom classes in real-time! Over 40 new classes are being offered in Winter/Spring 2021. Click here for registration information.
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ESOL Classes for Adults
Find an online ESOL class from MCAEL here.
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Vietnamese American Services
Senior club, job development, English classes, and more. Click here.
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Let's Play America
The Takoma Park based nonprofit Let's Play America (LPA) offers a Play Day Handbook that provides a step by step guide to organize a safe play day for your community. To order the handbook, visit the LPA website.
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Free Tutoring
BioMonkey is a 501(c)(3) certified organization that assists K-8 students with free virtual tutoring by qualified student tutors. Click here for more information.
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LEDC Small Business Directory
It's now easier than ever to shop from LEDC-supported small, minority-owned businesses in DC, MD, and NoVA. Check it out here.
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Maryland Community Needs Survey
Ensure your local community needs are included in the Maryland State Service Plan by taking this 11-minute survey. Click here.
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Senior Planet Montgomery
Senior Planet Montgomery offers virtual programs to help seniors learn new skills, save money, get in shape and make new friends. Visit their website or call 240-753-0676.
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Stay Home and Learn
Nonprofit Learning Lab is offering daily online trainings as a resource for nonprofits who are responding to the evolving changes and needs in their community and within their organizations as a result of COVID. Click here for more information.
Empowered Women International and LEDC present free webinars in English and Spanish. Click here for information.
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Giving Thanks for Our Volunteers!
As the Center's Fall English and computer classes came to an end in November, our students' words of thanksgiving came to us again and again...
"Thank you so much for this opportunity, I learn many things, I am very grateful and thankful for being in this class during this time."
"Here's one thing I want to say to you. This is such a good program. The Gilchrist Center is doing a good job during the pandemic. There's nothing for us to do, this is a time for us to learn. That's why I go to all the classes. A lot of people here need to learn English. This country is immigration country. Especially Montgomery County. Montgomery County government is doing a good job."
"We had a good time with our teacher. Education is important to increase our confidence." READ MORE>>>
The Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center's English and computer classes are made possible by more than 50 volunteers who teach and assist with classes, investing as much as 600 hours of their time each month. Their dedication to our students made it possible to quickly move our classes online, despite the fact that the vast majority had never taught online before and had to invest significant time in learning how to adapt to a very different teaching environment.
Not only are our volunteers creative, patient, and hard-working teachers, they are community builders. In the words of one conversation teacher, "I believe participants look forward to the conversation club meetings, many of whom attend many sessions each week. I think these conversation clubs are providing such a valuable contribution in this time of pandemic isolation for everybody. Participants are making firm friendships with each other as well as improving their English. I am so glad to be a part of Gilchrist. I am personally enriched by this experience and hope I in turn am helping to enrich the lives of others."
We at the Center know that our volunteers are indeed enriching the lives of our students, helping them to build skills, friendships, confidence, and community. We really can't thank them enough.
If you are over 18 and interested in volunteering with the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center, please complete the online volunteer form.
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November Workshops and Info Sessions
> Free Citizenship Application Consultations by APALRC
Due to concerns about the coronavirus, the Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center is not scheduling any citizenship application workshops currently. However, APALRC has access to a safe and secure web platform, CitizenshipWorks, that applicants can use and get free help from an experienced attorney at the APALRC in reviewing and drafting their citizenship application. CitizenshipWorks is secure and private, and it allows attorneys to remotely review, edit, ask questions, and provide feedback on the draft N-400 form. The website exists in three languages: English, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese. The website allows applicants to start and stop their application at any time and saves their work each step of the way. Please note, CitizenshipWorks is not connected to USCIS or the US government, it is a private website. This is not the same as filing online through the USCIS website. To start drafting your application today, please go to http://www.citizenshipworks.org/Portal/APALRC. Even though the APALRC office is closed to in-person meetings, they can still answer questions about the 2020 Census (immigration law related or otherwise) by phone and email. They can also assist persons with limited English to obtain Census information in the language of their choice. For more information, please contact APALRC at info@apalrc.org or 202-393-3572.
> Free Legal Service provided by the 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 a referral to an attorney volunteer for direct representation. See the brochures in English or Spanish.
The Pro Bono Program is committed to helping the residents of Montgomery County, MD. Individual circumstances may vary and in some cases they may not be able to assist everyone. For further information please make sure to read the brochure or call the Pro Bono Program at 301-424-7651 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday.
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> Free immigration consultations by HIAS by phone
HIAS works with a generous network of pro bono attorneys - both locally through their headquarters in NY and Silver Spring, MD, and across the country - to provide legal services to asylum seekers, asylees, and others who are seeking humanitarian relief. Given the evolving situation regarding COVID-19, for the safety of staff and volunteers, HIAS has suspended all in-person client meetings and all non-essential travel, including pro bono legal delegations to the border. However, they are now providing free telephonic immigration consultations for Montgomery County residents. If interested in receiving a consultation, please email generallaw@hias.org or call 240-668-4053 and leave a message. You must note in your email or your voicemail that you are a Montgomery County resident to get a callback. For all other Maryland residents, please call HIAS's intake line the first Friday of every month at 301-844-7248 to receive a free immigration consultation.
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> Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) Baltimore offers a variety of virtual webinars and training sessions:
Quick Topics Training - Best Practices for Working with UAC (Trauma-informed Approaches)
Wednesday, December 16, 2020, 12pm-1pm EST (Online)
2020 AILA Crimes and Immigration Virtual Conference: Immigration Consequences of Criminal Activity
December 3, 2020 9:50am-6pm (Online)
Click here for additional details and registration.
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Language Services and Financial Assistance
> 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).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 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 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. |
Upcoming Meetings of County Executive's Ethnic & Faith Advisory Groups
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All ethnic advisory groups are currently meeting virtually. For more information or concerns, please feel free to reach out to the liaisons listed below:
The African Affairs Advisory Group will meet on Thursday, December 10 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more details and the virtual link, please email harrieta.shangarai@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Asian Pacific American Advisory Group will not meet in December and will reconvene in January 2021. The members of the Advisory Group wish everyone happy holidays and a fresh start in the new year. Please contact Mr. Yi Shen at yi.shen@montgomerycountymd.gov if you would like to be added to the agenda.
Caribbean American Advisory Group met on Zoom on Tuesday, December 1, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The first half of the meeting covered operational information and featured a guest speaker discussing World AIDS Day. The second half was a social event. Members shared their favorite musical selection, poetry, or a recipe for the holidays. Contact yvonne.stephens@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Latin American Advisory Group -- For more information, contact jessy.mejiaterry@montgomerycountymd.gov
Middle Eastern American Advisory Group will meet virtually on Tuesday, December 8, 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Guest speaker will be Clotilde Puértolas, Program Specialist, Programs & Outreach, Montgomery County Public Libraries. All are welcome to participate. To receive the Zoom link, please email: Arwa.ElBoraei@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Interfaith Community Advisory Group
Executive Committee Meeting - December 3, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Education Committee Meeting - December 14, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Religious Land Use Working Group Meeting - December 16, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
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Giving Back This Holiday Season
You can help make the winter holidays brighter for those in need by donating gift cards, food, funds, and other items to local organizations coordinating holiday needs. This includes the agencies serving Montgomery County's Holiday Giving Project, which provides holiday meals and gifts for more than 10,000 local families annually.
Another way to give back this season is to present your friends and family with the gift of volunteering--serving a cause they care about. Find a meaningful volunteer activity on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center website by filtering by cause on our organization search page or by interest on our volunteer opportunity search page. There are
virtual volunteer opportunities available, but if time or health constraints keep you from completing your volunteer service before gift-giving time, you could pledge to volunteer for a particular project, perhaps committing to serving regularly for one or more organizations.
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AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY
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We Voted, Now What?
We Voted, Now What? A Community Conversation About Race, Police and Community Relations, hosted by the Silver Spring Chapter of The Links, Inc., will be held on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Be part of the conversation to discuss myths and facts about defunding/reimagining policing, disparities in use of school resource officers and policing Black and Latino youth, policies in Montgomery County regarding race and community relations, and police accountability. Click here for flyer and register at https://bit.ly/RacePoliceForum.
Montgomery History: "I Have Started from Canaan"
The Sugarland Ethno-History Project has published "I Have Started for Canaan," a book detailing the history of the Sugarland Community, which was founded by freed slaves in Montgomery County. For more information and book orders, click here.
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Congratulations to Vivien Hsueh for receiving the Lifetime Achievement Service Award from the 37th Annual Governor's Service Awards. Thank you for your service to the community! For more information about the awards, please click here and watch here.
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CARIBBEAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY
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Caribbean Reading Corner 
CAAG: Working to Serve the Caribbean Community in Montgomery County.
Mrs. Venice Mundle-Harvey, Chair
Mrs. Derrice Deane, Co-Chair
Mrs. Yvonne Stephens, Liaison
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Maryland Latino Census Coalition Holds Ceremony In Silver Spring
On November 12, the Maryland Latino Census Coalition held a thank you ceremony at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring. Following all COVID-19 safety protocols, the event celebrated the commitment of coalition members who worked tirelessly to engage the Hispanic community in completing the Census. Kathia Mejia Chevez, representing Senator Van Hollen's Office, presented citations. The group also heard from Erica Fuentes from the Office of Congressman Raskin, Maryland State Delegate Joseline Pena-Melnyk, and Julius Maina from the U.S. Census Bureau. Click here to view additonal photos.
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MIDDLE EASTERN AMERICAN COMMUNITY
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Updates
Nadia Abouraya, a 2021 selectee in Partners in Policymaking with The Arc/Maryland, is conducting her capstone project with MEAAG to disseminate information about county resources for employment, housing, and cultural and social opportunities for young adults with disabilities. MEAAG is helping her make contacts across communities within local religious institutions as well as online. Read Ms. Abouraya's November 11th presentation.
Cynthia Macri, M.D., who was a speaker at MEAAG's November meeting, is a board member of Asian Indians for Community Service, Inc., and a local coordinator of the AICS Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives (PEARLS). PEARLS is a national evidence-based program for late-life depression, bringing high-quality mental health care into community-based settings that reach vulnerable older adults. PEARLS works to help Americans of Asian and Indian heritage who, especially during the pandemic, suffer from depression and social isolation. PEARLS provides counseling in problem-solving, physical exercise, and individual sessions currently free-of-charge. Email Dr. Macri at cynthia.macri@theeagleforce.net for further info.
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Rental Relief Program
Are you behind on rent payments? If you have lost income due to the impact of COVID on our community, you may be eligible for rent relief. The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is providing short-term financial assistance to eligible households. Click here for more information in multiple languages.
COVID Testing Centers Needed
If you are interested, willing and able to offer your church parking lot as an outdoor Covid-19 Testing Center, please email Secretary@bmcmc.org and provide the name of your church, location, and the best way to reach you. " Able to serve" implies that the facility has a parking lot. Set up will be handled by the County. We understand that you may need questions answered in order to provide a firm "yes." We will connect you with the individuals who are able to answer all of your questions and discuss the particulars.
Montgomery County Muslim Foundation Receives Governor's Citation
Governor Hogan presented MCMF with a citation for its Thanksgiving Drive Thru Distribution on November 15. MCMF distributed 30,000 pounds of food serving over 2,000 individuals in Montgomery and Prince Georges County. Over 500
cars lined up in the early hours to receive food baskets. MCMF distributed a 60 pound box of food per family. READ MORE>>>
Imagining New Possibilities Through Development: An Online Forum for Faith Communities
On November 12, 2020 faith community leaders and decision-makers listened and learned from discussions on redevelopment potentials of their properties. Robert Kronenbert, Director of Montgomery County Planning Department and four reputable and experienced developers stretched the imaginations of the faith communities as together they explored ideas to utilize faith-based properties with excess land, underutilized structures, or declining income through affordable or senior housing units and mixed-use development, while continuing to serve their members.
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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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