Office of Community Partnerships December 2012 Newsletter

What: Down County Network Meeting

When: Wednesday, December 12th, 3-5PM

Where: Wheaton Library 1st floor
(11701 Georgia Avenue Wheaton, MD 20902)

The Down County Network meetings are opportunities to network with other service providers (public and private), share resources and best practices, and to keep each other informed about important issues in the community.

Future Down County Network Meeting Dates:
March 13, 2013
June 12, 2013
September 11, 2013

America's Most Welcoming Community

Bruce Adams

Director, Office of Community Partnerships

County Executive Ike Leggett talks about Montgomery County becoming "America's most welcoming community." Why is this so important? A welcoming attitude plus a strong economy, a quality environment, and an outstanding school system have made Montgomery County a magnet for talented people from all across the world. A welcoming attitude is so important because being a talent magnet is our competitive edge in the global marketplace. This welcoming attitude is what will ensure a bright and prosperous future in a Montgomery County that gives all our residents the opportunity to thrive.

I was really proud of Montgomery County on November 6. We sent a message across the state and region and around the nation by showing our welcoming attitude on two of the most important civil rights issues of our time. Maryland became the first state to adopt marriage equality by the ballot (Question 6) by a margin of 127,459 votes. The nation took note. What many likely missed was that the margin in Montgomery County was 139,127. Without Montgomery County, the measure would have failed and a very different message would have been sent. The Dream Act (Question 4) to provide hope and opportunity for immigrant students passed by an even larger margin. The statewide vote in support of the Dream Act was 59 to 41%. In Montgomery County, the margin was a whopping 72 to 28%.

Just two days later, County Executive Ike Leggett convened 150 top County government officials in a Diversity Summit designed to recommit the County to the highest standards of cultural competence and customer service. Meeting at the wonderful new White Oak Community Center, County officials devoted an entire day to sharing best practices in serving Montgomery's diverse population. The talk was positive and optimistic about the future, but the test, of course, is whether we follow-up and keep improving and moving forward.

Enjoy the holidays! We have much to achieve in 2013. I look forward to seeing you at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at Strathmore on Sunday January 20 at 3 p.m. and at the MLK Day of Service event at the Marriott Conference Center Monday morning January 21 from 9 to 11 a.m.

Nonprofit Voices

Four outstanding nonprofit leaders taped a video on October 18 that was used to jump start the County government's November 8 Diversity Summit - Sheryl Brissett Chapman (National Center for Children and Families), Ronnie Galvin (Impact Silver Spring), Diego Uriburu (Identity), and Diane Vu (now with OCP but formerly with Maryland Vietnamese Mutual Association). These community leaders lay out a number of the most important challenges facing Montgomery County. It will be worth your time to take ten minutes to listen. Here's the link: http://youtu.be/qccJDIugRJ0

New American Voter Initiative Recognized for Work on DREAM Act

The New American Voter Initiative was recognized for its work in passage of the DREAM Act by County Executive Ike Leggett at the County's Latin American Advisory Group's press conference on November 16, 2012. The mission of the New American Voter Initiative, co-chaired by Secretary Ed Chow (of the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs) and Clarence Lam (pictured), is to encourage Americans who have newly gained citizenship, particularly Asian Americans, to register to vote and become involved in the electoral process. The New American Voter Initiative supported the Dream Act because it is an issue that is of particular importance to continents who value and cherish the opportunity of education and was an issue amongst newly registered Asian American voters. The co-chairs attended events across the state on behalf of the New American Voter Initiative to promote both the importance of registering to vote and of supporting the passage of the Dream Act to Asian American voters.

County Executive Ike Leggett shakes hands with Clarence Lam. Also pictured: Council members Nancy Navarro, Hans Riemer and Craig Rice

The County Executive's Latin American Advisory Group recognized 20 organizations for their work in educating the community on the Maryland Dream Act on Nov. 16th at Montgomery College.

County Executive Hosts 2012 Diwali Celebration

Community sponsors of Diwali pictured with County Executive Ike Leggett, Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives Izzy Patoka, State Delegates Kumar Barve and Aruna Miller, and Attorney General Doug Gansler

The County Executive's Office of Community Partnerships held its third annual Diwali Celebration on November 19, 2012. More commonly known as the "festival of lights" Diwali is celebrated by Indians around the world. Held in the Executive Office Building Cafeteria this year over 150 attendees watched cultural dancing, talked about the significance of Diwali and enjoyed food provided by community sponsors. Speakers included Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives Izzy Patoka, State Delegates Kumar Barve and Aruna Miller, and Attorney General Doug Gansler.

Leaders for Literacy

On November 15, the Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy, along with several literacy
providers, hosted the first ever coalition fundraiser, Leaders for Literacy, which was a huge success.

More than $20,000 was raised to support literacy in Montgomery County; funds raised will go
(1) directly to participating literacy provider programs, (2) to the community grants that support English classes in Montgomery County and (3) to MCAEL. Thank you to those who donated to literacy and are helping to build a 21st Century Montgomery! Event sponsors included Adventist Healthcare, Montgomery College, Sanford and Doris Slavin Foundation, Chipotle, DarCars, John Hopkins University, Montgomery County Government.
More than 150 community and business leaders participated and were treated to inspirational
remarks by Tom Perez, former Montgomery County Council member who was instrumental in founding MCAEL. Tom talked about the power of the coalition in leveraging funding for quality literacy programs for our community.

Coalition members staff and instructors in attendance included the Literacy Council of Montgomery County, Rockville Senior Center, Seneca Creek Church, Korean American Senior Citizens Association, Spanish Catholic Center, IMPACT Silver Spring, Community Ministries of Rockville, Cedarbrook Community Church and Montgomery College AELG program.

For video of the importance of literacy please visit youtube or visit the MCAEL website at www.mcael.org.

Conversation on Leadership with Cokie & Steve Roberts

Leadership Montgomery is proud to announce its brand new Conversation on Leadership Series! These special events will take place two evenings a year and will offer the opportunity to connect with exciting leaders and personalities in the community. Please attend the inaugural Conversation on Leadership event featuring broadcasting legends Cokie and Steve Roberts and moderated by Pepco's Vice President of Corporate Citizenship and Social Responsibility and former NBC4 news anchor Debbi Jarvis ('12). With 85 years of combined experience in broadcast and journalism, and their 40 plus year marriage, Cokie and Steve Roberts bring invaluable professional and personal insights to the table. From politics to international affairs, this will surely be a memorable discussion you don't want to miss. So come enjoy an evening of great conversation, engaging Q&A, and terrific networking! More info here.

Where: Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center, 7995 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD

When: Monday, December 10, 2012 - 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM (Reception: 6-7 pm, Program: 7-8:30 pm)

Sponsored By: Montgomery College & Sanford & Doris Slavin Foundation

Program to Increase Access to Civic Building

The County's Pilot Program to increase community access to the Silver Spring Civic Building and Veterans Plaza is gearing up.

The application is available here.

Background information is here, and

program criteria are here.

All this plus much more is also available at the website for the County's Community Use of Public Facilities.

Montgomery County's
Winter Guide for Recreation and Parks Programs

The winter issue of the Montgomery County Guide for Recreation and Parks Programs is now available. Recreation began accepting registrations for its winter programs and classes on Monday, November 12. Registration for swim lessons opens on December 12. Residents are encouraged to register early as many programs fill up quickly.

This issue of the Winter Guide features hundreds of programs and activities for all ages, interests and abilities that will help keep residents active during the winter months. Some of the offerings include classes in creative and visual arts, fitness and cooking. Seniors, age 55 and older, can enroll in the affordable Senior Sneakers program and participate in senior trip and tour programs.

Registration is offered in one of four ways: online, by mail, fax, or in person at the Montgomery County Recreation Administrative Offices located at 4010 Randolph Road, Silver Spring.

Print copies of the Guide are available at recreation centers, park facilities, government buildings and libraries. Residents who prefer receiving the Guide in the mail can pay an annual subscription fee of $5 and receive a full year of five issues (Summer, Fall, Winter, Summer Camps and Spring). To view the Guide online, or to sign up for a subscription, go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec.

For more information, call 240-777-6840.

The Montgomery County Board of Education Requesting Community Comment on Revisions to the Policy on Disposal of Property.

A copy of the draft policy, Policy DNA, Disposition of Board of Education Property, is available through the Department of Public Information and Web Services by calling 301-279-3391. You also can access the policy on the MCPS website.

Individuals who wish to provide comments should respond in writing by January 9, 2013. All responses should be sent to the Office of the Superintendent of Schools, 850 Hungerford Drive, Room 122, Rockville, Maryland 20850 or sent by email to the Board of Education at boe@mcpsmd.org. All responses will be shared with the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Schools.

Nominations for Impact's 2013 Momentum Awards

Do you know an individual or organization that has tirelessly and selflessly worked for the social and economic improvement of their community? Nominate them for IMPACT's 2013 Momentum Awards! This is their chance to be publicly recognized and celebrated by members of their community, local government figures, and local business representatives for all of their amazing work.

The Momentum Awards will be presented at the annual IMPACT NOW! breakfast in April, 2013. Last year, IMPACT recognized award winners Jose Dominguez, Executive Director of Pyramid Atlantic, with the Social Momentum Award; the El Rosal Sewing Cooperative with the Economic Momentum Award; and the Lyttonsville Community Civic Association with the Civic Momentum Award.

Nominations are open until January 18th, 2013. You can download the awards nomination guidelines and application by visiting the home page at www.impactsilverspring.org. For more information, please contact Lanita Whitehurst at lanita@impactsilverspring.org or call 301-495-3336.

Breakfast Meeting of the Rockville Women's Business Center

Please attend breakfast and a festive morning to celebrate women-owned businesses in the community and the 2nd Anniversary of the Rockville Women's Business Center, featuring special remarks by Ike Leggett, Montgomery County Executive, and Bridget Bean, SBA District Director.

Keynote speaker: Karen Zuckerman, founder and president of HZDG as well as the co-founder of Dormify.

Registration fee of $25 includes continental breakfast and a Rockville Rewards card (valued at $25!). Register here.

Event Sponsors: Alta IT Services, Darcars, Pepco, Venable, LLP, Women Business Owners of Montgomery County, Women Presidents' Educational Organization, Woodard & Associates

The Rockville Women's Business Center (RWBC) was established by Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) in 2010 to help Montgomery County's diverse population to start and grow women-owned enterprises positioned for long-term growth in the community.

For additional information, please contact Laura Gastwirth at 301-315-8096 or via email at laura@rockvillewbc.org.

Center for American Progress Report on Half in Ten

The Center for American Progress released its annual report on its campaign, Half in Ten. The
goal of Half in Ten is to cut poverty in half over the next decade through the creation of good
jobs, strategies to strengthen families and communities, and greater economic security and
opportunity by investing in education and workforce training, nutrition assistance, health care,
affordable housing, and asset building for vulnerable families.

This report tracks the economic and social indicators of poverty in the United States from 2010
and 2011. It also provides an account of where we have made progress and where we need to
redouble our efforts.

See the full report.

The Montgomery County Alumnae Chapter (MCAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Hosts Its 3rd Annual World AIDS Day Event

MCAC-Delta Sigma Theta sorority, Inc. hosted its third annual World AIDS Day event, entitled 'ZERO AIDS.' The focus was on achieving three targets: Zero New HIV Infections, Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS-Related Deaths. The event was December 1 at the Silver Spring Civic Building.

The event informed the public of this increasingly serious problem, and other health consequences related to HIV/AIDS that continues to impact residents of Montgomery County. World AIDS Day is celebrated on December 1 each year globally. It has become one of the most recognized international health days and a key opportunity to raise awareness, commemorate those who have passed on, and celebrate victories such as increased access to treatment and prevention services.

Read more.

Executive's Ball
December 9

This year's Executive's Ball, "Arts Power: Celebrating Education Through the Arts" will be held on Sunday, December 9, 2012, beginning at 6 pm at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, 5701 Marinelli Road, North Bethesda, MD. Funds raised will go to support arts education programs in Montgomery County. A completely volunteer-run event, the Ball brings together several arts and humanities organizations to support, sustain, and promote the cultural assets of Montgomery County. To get your tickets for this special event, click here: Individual tickets are $125 each, which you can purchase online until December 6. The 2012 Ball is chaired by Montgomery County First Lady, Catherine Leggett, who is joined by co-chair Tamara C. Darvish of DARCARS Automotive Group.

Martin Luther King Day Celebration

County Executive Leggett and MLK Committee

County Executive Leggett invites you to join him and other elected officials at Montgomery County's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration on Sunday, January 20, 2013, 3 PM at The Music Center at Strathmore. This multi-cultural musical celebration will feature many local artists, and promises to be a fabulous celebration of Dr. King's legacy in Montgomery County. The music center is located at 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD. Free tickets will be available at www.strathmore.org.

Stand-by Line: For individuals unable to secure advanced tickets, a stand-by line begins at
2 PM, outside the Music Center, where noted, the evening of the performance. No lines may form before the designated time. At 2:45 PM all tickets are null and void, and patrons in the stand-by line will be allowed entry subject to available seating.

For questions and further information, contact Susan Peevy , Staff Liaison for the MLK Committee at susan.peevy@montgomerycountymd.gov

Martin Luther King
Day of Service

Where will you serve on Monday, January 21, 2013?
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Committee in collaboration with the
Montgomery County Volunteer Center invites those in the community to give back on this Day of
Service by participating in service projects at the Bethesda North Marriott Conference Center on
January 21st 9am-11am. This is a great way for students and families to serve together. Help make bag lunches for shelters with Whole Foods, pack Snow Day Boxes for Meals on Wheels, assemble blankets for Montgomery Hospice, and so much more! For more information about the Day of Service visit www.montgomeryserves.org.
For questions email
servicedays@montgomerycountymd.gov
or call 240-777-2600.

Make it a day ON not a day off!

Literary Arts Contest

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Committee and The Gazette Newspapers announce the 2013 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Literary Arts Contest.

Open to all Montgomery County area students in Elementary, Middle and High School. Entries must be 150 words or less, in poetry or essay format. On a separate cover sheet please list the student's name, school, grade, teacher's name and teacher's e-mail address.

Deadline for Entry: Friday, December 14 at 5:00 pm

Read more.

Using Census Data to Know Your Customers and Size Up Your Competition

December 5, 2012, 8:00 am - 10:00 am

Microsoft Store, The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City
1100 S Hayes St, Arlington, VA 22202

The U.S. Census Bureau serves as the leading source of quality data about the nation's people and economy. The Census Bureau and the Microsoft Store offer you this two-hour presentation and demonstration to show you how to use the census.gov website to access free marketing data about your local community. You will be introduced to Census statistics about households and businesses that will help you understand who your customers and competitors are, and other valuable data about where you do business. Whether you are conducting market research, writing a business plan or applying for a loan, Census data will help you make more informed decisions. Laptops are welcome if you want to demo the census.gov site during the program.

Attendance is free but seating is limited. To RSVP please email nesreen.khashan@census.gov.

Washington Revels

A festive, fully-staged holiday celebration rich with color and pageantry, by the acclaimed Washington Revels company of nearly 100 performers, ages 8-84. Eight performances, December 8-9 & 14-16 (matinees and evenings), at the George Washington Lisner Auditorium, 21st and H Streets NW, Washington DC. View the full schedule of performances (including ticket-buying options), or buy tickets online now!

For the 30th annual celebration of the Winter Solstice, well-loved elements of Christmas Revels past renew the spirit of joy that marks this time of the year. England's Haddon Hall (the iconic setting of early productions in all Revels cities) is the perfect backdrop for the traditional and early music, dance and drama of Britain and Europe -- the same material that inspired national founder John Langstaff's very first Christmas Revels in 1957.

Gilchrist Center for Cultural Diversity Goes "On the Air"

The Gilchrist Center's first public service announcement, a 60-second spot, is starting to air on Montgomery County Cable Channel 6 and on other county cable channels soon. It features a tour of our classes and Wheaton office by our staff and a testimonial from one of our students. The video is here. Please put it on your websites and share it with others.

Applications for Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management

The Center for Nonprofit Advancement, in partnership with The Washington Post, announces the call for applications for The Washington Post Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management. Applications can be submitted through January 7, 2013.

The competition is open to any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the Washington metropolitan area.

A $10,000 grant will be presented to the winning organization. The Executive Director will also receive a scholarship to the Georgetown University Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program. Up to four honorable mentions will be presented with a $2,500 grant award. The winning organization and the honorable mention recipients will also be recognized by The Washington Post. All applicants receive feedback on their management practices from the Award Selection Committee.

For more information or to access the online application, please visit the Center for Nonprofit Advancement website.

Cantigas
Presents Feliz Navidad

Feliz Navidad: A Festive Christmas Serenade

Saturday, December 15, 7:00 pm
at the Cultural Arts Center
7995 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring

Guest Artist: Maryland State Boychoir

Snap up your holidays as you enjoy Cantigas's beautiful harmonies in a festive array of holiday songs from Latin America, Spain, and the United States.

Tickets and information: www.cantigas.org
or 301-230-1361

Plenty of free parking at the Cultural Arts Center beginning at 6 pm.

Holiday Giving through AWC

Step up and make the holidays a time for celebration for all of our Silver Spring neighbors.

Email Susan at sklavon@awidercircle.org.

Maryland Secretary of State Led Trade Delegation to Africa

Maryland's Secretary of State, John McDonogh, led a trade and Sister City delegation to two Nigerian States, Ondo State and Cross River State. During the visit to Ondo State, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on International Relations and Diaspora Affairs, Mrs.Remi Duyile showed the visitors relevant sites, including Idanre Hill Tourist Center, a UNESCO World Heritage site. For more information, visit: http://www.ondostate.gov.ng/

Maryland Secretary of State John McDonogh with Dr. Olusegun Mimiko the Executive Governor of Ondo state, Nigeria

Areas of cooperation are health, education, and culture. At the signing ceremony, Mr. McDonough and the Deputy State Secretary, Dr. Rajan Natarajan said the collaboration is to form a people-to-people partnership that would benefit both peoples.

On August 22, 2012, The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development announced the opening of a trade office based in Nigeria to attract companies and jobs to Maryland.

4th Annual Police Thanksgiving Luncheon

Members and leaders of Bethel World Outreach Church in Silver Spring held their fourth annual Thanksgiving lunch for the Montgomery County third District Police Station in appreciation of their service to the Silver Spring community. Presenting the certificates, Assistant Pastor Dr. Mordy thanked the officers for their work and encouraged them to continue in their calling to serve.

Bethel World Outreach Church with people from more than 45 nations and cultures is committed to building community, strengthening families, producing leaders, and enriching lives in Montgomery County. For more information, please visit: http://cityofhope.bwomi.org

3rd District Officers and Bethel Church Leaders during Thanksgiving Lunch

Hungry for Music Donations to Miracle Music Center in Gondar, Ethiopia

Miracle Music Center Students

During our Sister City exploratory trip in January 2012, Bruce Adams met with a group of young enthusiastic music learners led by dynamic 23-year-old Mengistu Engidayehu, who with limited instruments organized a demonstration of their extraordinary talents. Bruce contacted the Director of Hungry for Music, Jeff Campbell. Jeff was able to put together musical instruments and t-shirts for the students at Miracle Music Center in Gondar, Ethiopia. During our Sister City trip with County Executive Leggett, in September 2012, Bruce was able to take the items to Addis Abba, but there was a delay in getting all the items to Gondar. Two weeks later, the Mayor of Gondar delivered the items to Miracle Music Center.

Mengistu Engidayehu

Hungry for Music is planning a fundraiser for early 2013 to raise money to buy more instruments for the center. Please goto http://hungryformusic.com to support the efforts.

Social Security Offices to Close to the Public a Half Hour Early Each Day and at Noon on Wednesdays

Effective November 19, 2012, the Washington, DC Metropolitan area Social Security offices are open to the public Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 pm - a reduction of 30 minutes each weekday. In addition, beginning January 2, 2013, the offices will close to the public at noon every Wednesday.

While agency employees will continue to work their regular hours, this shorter public window will allow them to complete face-to-face interviews and process claims work without incurring the cost of overtime. The significantly reduced funding provided by Congress under the continuing resolution for the first six months of the fiscal year makes it impossible for the agency to provide the overtime needed to handle service to the public as it has done in the past.

Most Social Security services do not require a visit to a local office. Many services, including applying for retirement, disability or Medicare benefits, signing up for direct deposit, replacing a Medicare card, obtaining a proof of income letter or informing us of a change of address or telephone number are conveniently available at www.socialsecurity.gov or by dialing our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778. Many of our online services also are available in Spanish at www.segurosocial.gov.

World AIDS Day (More)

The panel of leading experts included Montgomery County Executive, Isiah "Ike" Leggett, Sr.; Ulder Tillman, MD, MPH, Public Health Officer for Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, MD; Barney S. Graham, MD, PhD, Senior Investigator, Vaccine Research Center, NIH, Bethesda, MD; and Bola Idowu PhD, African American Health Program Montgomery County, MD. The panelists provided alarming HIV/AIDS statistics and outlined precautions residents should use to protect themselves from this increasing problem.

MCAC-DST Sorority, Inc. President, Lorna P. Forde, is focused on consistently sponsoring programs that foster Economic Development, Education Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health, and Political Awareness and Involvement - missions that are aligned with the sorority's national initiatives and are the basis for which the sorority was founded 98 years ago. Continued support and collaboration with community partners enables MCAC-DST Sorority, Inc. to build and sustain positive change in Montgomery County.

Other program highlights included viewing of the Maryland State AIDS Quilt panel, a featured documentary film, on-site HIV testing - sponsored by GapBusters, Inc. and the African American Health Program (a Montgomery County Health program), and a World AIDS Day Remembrance Ceremony. For more information about this organization and the chapter, please visit http://www.deltasigmatheta.org or http://www.mcacdst.org.

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Literary Arts Contest (More)

Entries will be judged on:
Understanding and appreciation of the ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Clarity and originality of expression
Adherence to the theme
Middle School and High School entries are encouraged to submit electronic entries by email.

Requirements of the school:
Please submit a maximum of three entries per school to: MLK ESSAY CONTEST c/o Montgomery County Office of Human Rights, 21 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20850. Entries submitted by the schools will be scored by the Awards Committee of the Montgomery County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Committee. The top two winners from all entries will be invited to read their essays and receive an award presented by County Executive Isiah Leggett and The Gazette Newspapers as part of the County-wide celebration on Sunday, January 20, 2013, 3:00 pm at the Music Center at Strathmore.

For questions and further information, please call James Stowe, Director of the Office of Human Rights, at 240-777-8491 or email.

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