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December 23, 2020
Dear friends, As we close out this year, I am more than ever reminded of the words I spoke at the 2018 Inauguration of our County Executive and the County Council:
Only together can the gifts of Prince George's County be shared and unwrapped by all. Only together can we strengthen our County, our communities, our families and realize our fullest potential. Only together as one County, can our tapestry, our story, and our county shine bright.  So many in our community have suffered devastating losses this calendar year and at the same time so many have stepped up generously to be the light for others. I am incredibly proud of our community and the many ways we've continued forward #OnlyTogether.
 Thank you every person who has helped a neighbor or donated food or money or clothing. Thank you to every person who volunteered at a food distribution or helped ensure #EveryoneCounts in the 2020 Census. Thank you to everyone who passed along a resource to a neighbor in need. Thank you to our educators and parents and children who are doing their best with virtual school. Thank you to our first responders who are keeping us safe. Thank you to all of our medical personnel who are working valiantly in the face of the most trying circumstances available. Thank you to you.
 This past week my office, in partnership with the Department of Family Services, served 600 District 3 seniors and individuals with disabilities with boxes of meals, groceries, and treat boxes. Special thanks to United Baptist Church and nearly 50 volunteers who made the distribution possible.
We are hopeful to be able to offer this distribution again in January and February. Please watch this email newsletter for details.
Through our partnership with the DC Diaper Bank and Sowing Empowerment and Economic Development, we were able to provide diapers to more than 100 babies in December.
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Photo Credit: Nestor A. Diaz, PGCMLS
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On Saturday, Greater Riverdale Cares, which my office launched in April, served another 640 families with groceries, turkeys, game bags, and new, bilingual books at Park Tanglewood on Tanglewood Drive. Special thanks to Christian Life Center's Passion and Compassion Ministry, Sowing Empowerment and Economic Development, Latin American Youth Center, Maryland Nonprofits, Central Kenilworth Avenue Revitalization CDC, the Town of Riverdale Park, the Department of Parks & Recreation and the Prince George's County Memorial Library System for making that distribution possible.
Foreclosure Moratorium Extension
Governor Hogan recently announced that the moratorium on foreclosures and repossessions will be extended until January 31, 2021. Also, evictions remain suspended during the state of emergency for the State of Maryland. More information is available online here. The Prince George's County Council passed CB-16-2020 in June which prohibits landlords from increasing rent and prohibits charging late fees or penalties during the State of Emergency, which is still in effect, and for 90 days after the State of Emergency ends.
PGCPS School Boundary Virtual Community Conversations
PGCPS is conducting a Comprehensive School Boundary Initiative. With community input, the initiative will develop scenarios for boundary adjustments in order to populate new and expanded school facilities and balance facility utilization.
It's very important for our entire community to engage in these conversations. Please plan to attend one or more of the virtual events.
South County: Thursday, Jan. 7
Spanish language: Saturday, Jan. 9
Central County: Tuesday, Jan. 12
North County: Wednesday, Jan. 13
Learn more: https://www.pgcps.org/boundary
Police Reform
Thank you to those who joined me on Monday for my Virtual Connections forum on police reform work happening at the state and county. If you missed the event, you can watch the video here. Please read more about the Police Reform Workgroup's recommendations here. It is paramount that action at the state and county level be taken in 2021.
Purple Line
 I'm thrilled the state has worked out a way forward for the Purple Line. This is a crucial project for District 3 as well as Prince George's and Montgomery Counties and the entire state of Maryland. There is still a long way to go, but we are moving forward again.
On Friday, prior to our meal distribution, my chief of staff and I joined staff from the Department of Public Works & Transportation, State Highway, and the Maryland Department of Transportation for a walking tour of several of the future Purple Line stations in District 3. It was great to get an on-the-ground update of construction progress. The tour also gave me the opportunity to follow up on important items such as bicycle and pedestrian safety along the light rail route.
Winter Break Meal Assistance
There will be no meal distribution for PGCPS students over winter break. Service will resume on Monday, Jan. 4. Families in need can receive meals during break through Capital Area Food Bank. The following locations are in/near District 3 residents:
Bladensburg Community Center, 4500 57th Ave., Bladensburg
Monday through Friday, 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
CASA de Maryland, 8151 15th Avenue, Langley Park
Fridays, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Glenn Dale Community Center, 11901 Glenn Dale Blvd.
Monday through Friday, 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Shepherd's Table is providing meals every Tuesday and Thursday at 5:00 pm at Riverdale Elementary School, 5006 Riverdale Road, Riverdale Park. All members of the community are welcome at this distribution.
Additional food distribution locations can be found here .
Special Appropriations Grants
It is an honor to be able to provide grants to nonprofit organizations serving District 3 residents through Special Appropriations Grants from my office. Applications are open now. I recently approved grants to the following:
Mary's Center for Child and Maternal Health to provide wellness visits to uninsured District 3 residents at their Aldelphi Health Clinic to include screenings for social needs and physical and mental health conditions.
NAMI Prince George's County to provide Peer Support Movement in District 3 to increase understanding of mental health, improve coping skills, empower participants to advocate for themselves and their loved ones.
B-Roll Media and Arts to provide free media arts training and education to youth ages 13-21 and youth diagnosed with learning disabilities.
Community Youth Advance to support Newton's Thinkers Program at Beacon Heights Elementary School that provides high-quality, year-round academic enrichment. Also offers Junior Leaders Academy and Mentoring Programs that provides student leadership development, civic engagement and personal responsibility.
First Generation College Bound to support a College Success program for 30 students and a Great Minds Great Futures program for 90 students at Parkdale High School to support college success.
Food & Friends to provide medically-tailored, home-delivered meals and groceries to individuals with serious illness such as HIV/AIDS and cancer that are too ill to buy or prepare food for themselves.
Nonprofit organizations serving District 3 residents can learn more and apply for a Special Appropriations Grant from my office here.
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Sending warmest wishes for a safe and blessed holiday to you. My office will have limited staffing over the holidays, but we will be checking voicemail messages at 301-952-3060. I will continue to share regular updates about food distributions and other resources on social media, especially my Facebook page. #onlytogether
Together Strengthening Our Community, 
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