September 7, 2023

Dear Angela,

I hope you and yours are doing well as we close out the summer and head into the fall!

My team spent this summer focused on housing and public safety. I'm grateful to everyone who reached out to my office to share how these issues are affecting you. I’m also grateful to those who welcomed us into your homes, neighborhoods, and parishes to help us understand what you’re experiencing firsthand. We need solutions now, and it’s going to take all of us to get there. As Council heads back into session on September 15, I will continue to develop legislation and work with agency leaders on implementing solutions to address the needs you've raised. In this email are some more detailed updates on our work as well as upcoming events and resources.

Sincerely,

Robert

Tracing firearms to fight gun violence

Gun violence is on everyone's mind right now. In the short term we need to see an immediate surge of police presence in violent hot spots. In the longer term, we need a whole-community approach, with government, police, families, community organizations, faith communities, local businesses, and others working together to prevent crime and heal from generations of violence. I am working to develop strategies that address both the short and long-term public safety challenges we are facing in our city.

In July, the Council passed the Prioritizing Public Safety Emergency Amendment Act. I introduced and got passed an amendment to this bill that will require the District to report on the firearms recovered by police. The new reporting will give us crucial data on where the guns were recovered and where they originated from. This is an important step in stopping the flow of illegal guns into DC. It will help us trace guns back to dealers/manufacturers to learn if guns are being sold legally, and whether lawsuits may be needed.

Meeting with new chief of DC Police, Pamela Smith

Earlier this month I met with the new chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, Pamela Smith, to discuss focusing policing in areas with high crime and violence and preventing gun trafficking into DC. Residents are scared and need safety now. I was glad to hear that Chief Smith is already implementing new strategies and I look forward to an update in our next meeting.

Housing talkbacks & resource fairs in Wards 7 & 8

In July, in response to community requests, I hosted two housing resource fair events in Wards 8 and 7, in partnership with Councilmember Trayon White (Ward 8) and Councilmember Vincent Gray (Ward 7). Our goal with these events was to bring government to the community and to hear direct feedback on gaps in our housing system.

Each event began with a discussion portion, followed by a resource fair that featured over a dozen District agencies and organizations. Residents answered questions about what they would like to see in their communities and what kinds of housing resources and policies DC is missing. After the events, my team shared the feedback with the Ward offices. The next step is to coordinate with agencies and turn the conversations into actions, which we have already started. Thank you so much to all the neighbors who came out to share your ideas, experiences, and feedback!

Are you having a housing issue? Click here for the contact sheet we shared at the Ward 8 and 7 events, which has direct contact information for the right point person for various issues at DC agencies. Neighbors who attended the Ward 8 and Ward 7 events, please do not hesitate to follow up with my office if you have any ongoing concerns or more feedback to share.

Ward 8 Housing Talkback

Ward 7 Housing Talkback

Community office hours

This summer I had my first three Office Hours meet ups at local libraries in Wards 5, 4, and 1. I'll be spending time in all eight wards around the District in the coming months to meet with you in your neighborhood and hear about the concerns on your mind.

My next Office Hours will be in Ward 3 at the Tenley-Friendship Library on Tuesday, October 2nd from 1-4pm. I hope to see you there!

Upcoming events

I also invite you to come meet with me and my team at these upcoming events!

Marshall Heights Community Day

Saturday, September 9 | 9am-3pm

Adams Morgan Day

Sunday, September 10 | 12-6pm

Celebrate Petworth Festival

Saturday, September 23 | 11am-5pm

Chevy Chase Day

Saturday, September 23 | 1-4pm

Takoma Park Street Festival

Sunday, October 1 | 10am-5pm

Resources that can help

Below are various resources that I hope will help solve issues you or your family may be facing. And if you have a specific need, my Constituent Services Director, Andre Strickland, is available to support you.

BACK TO SCHOOL PRE-K-12

Check out the 2023 Back to School Guide here and some helpful resources and contacts below:

Does your family need help getting connected to the internet? You might qualify for free access.

Visit: internet.dc.gov Call: (202)-266-6328 Email: techtogether@dc.gov

Family Success Centers: If you live in Wards 5, 7, or 8, visit one of the DC Child and Family Services Agency’s Family Success Centers to be connected to resources around parenting, workforce development, food security, mental health, and more.

Grandparent Caregiver Program: Are you a District resident who’s raising your grandchild, great-grandchild, great-niece, or great-nephew? You may qualify for the Grandparent Caregiver Program. For residents who are raising other kin within the District, you may qualify for the Close Relatives Caregiver Program. For those eligible, the programs provide monthly financial assistance to help you care for the child related to and living with you. Email: cfsa.gcp@dc.gov or Call: (202) 442-6009

DC Special Education Hub: The DC Special Education Hub helps families understand special education in the District of Columbia by connecting them with the tools, information, and support they need to make informed decisions to guide their child’s learning.

Career Coach DC: Are you a parent, grandparent, or caregiver who needs support figuring out your next step? A recent graduate looking for a job? The Career Coach DC program offers coaching services to help DC residents who are 18 and older with employment and education success. Residents can connect with Career Coach DC and sign-up for virtual, in-person, or hybrid services by registering online at careercoach.dc.gov, calling (202) 989-1002, or emailing careercoach@dc.gov.

For mental health resources including a provider directory, events calendar, and articles on mental health, special education, and parenting strategies, visit dcpsmentalhealth.org. 

24/7 Mental Health Hotline: The Department of Behavioral Health operates a 24/7 Mental Health Hotline to provide free counseling and support to residents. Residents are encouraged to contact the Mental Health Hotline at (888) 793-4357 to talk with a trained mental health specialist if they’re feeling depressed, anxious, or just not themselves. Families experiencing a mental health crisis can also contact the District’s suicide prevention and crisis services lifeline by dialing 988.

Afterschool and Out of School Time: For more information about out of school time scholarships or help finding out of school time activities for your child, email learn24@dc.gov or visit learn24.dc.gov.

Career and Technical Education: Did you know that DCPS offers Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs that prepare students for high-wage, high-demand careers. CTE incorporates job training, career mentoring, and work-based learning to set students up for success in a new career? Learn more on page 16 of the 2023 Back to School Guide.

BACK TO SCHOOL - COLLEGE

DC Futures is a new program that gives DC residents up to $8,000 in college tuition, one-on-one coaching, emergency funds to cover unexpected costs, and a stipend for books. Learn more at osse.dc.gov/dcfutures.

JOBS

Youth Hiring Fair for DC Residents Ages 18-24

September 9 | 10am - 2pm

MLK Library 901 G Street NW

Stop, Shop, N Go Job Fair

September 12 | 10:30am-4:30pm

Anacostia Library 1800 Good Hope Road SE

Jobs Not Guns Ward 2 Career Fair

Wednesday, September 27 10am-3:00pm

MLK Library 901 G Street NW

Connect with employers and get interviews on the spot

LEGAL SUPPORT

DC Bar's Free Legal Advice & Referral Clinic

Bread for the City’s Michelle Obama SE Center 

1700 Good Hope Road SE 

Washington, DC 

10:00 am - 12:00pm, September 23

10:00 am - 12:00pm, October 21

Language interpreters will be available

Need to reach me or a member of my team?

My office is available to you. Connect with me and my staff via phone or email. Please call my personal office at (202) 724-8174, or my committee office at (202) 727-8270, or email any of my team members. If you have a moment, please take my 3-question constituent survey here.

  PERSONAL OFFICE STAFF

Robert White | Councilmember | rwhite@dccouncil.gov

Angela Fowlkes | Chief of Staff | afowlkes@dccouncil.gov

Katie Whitehouse | Legislative Director | kwhitehouse@dccouncil.gov

Andre Strickland | Constituent Services Director | astrickland@dccouncil.gov

Devon Haynes | Communications Director | dhaynes@dccouncil.gov

Lisa Wright | Legislative Assistant | lwright@dccouncil.gov

Sam Walden | Office Manager | swalden@dccouncil.gov

HOUSING COMMITTEE STAFF

Shawn Hilgendorf | Committee Director | shilgendorf@dccouncil.gov

Sean Cuddihy | Deputy Committee Director | scuddihy@dccouncil.gov

Caitlin Cocilova | Senior Legislative Counsel | ccocilova@dccouncil.gov

Neah Evering | Legislative Counsel | nevering@dccouncil.gov