NEWS & EVENTS AROUND THE REGION
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Thanksgiving Parade Marches in the Season
Firetrucks, dancing troupes, giant inflatables, candy-throwing elves, and a portable skating rink are among the 100-plus acts to be featured at this year's Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade, Saturday, Nov. 21. The parade, held rain or shine, kicks off at 10 am at Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street in Silver Spring, and then heads down Georgia Avenue to Silver Spring to Silver Spring Avenue.
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County Directory Outlines Immigration Legal Services
If you are looking for detailed information on legal immigration services in Montgomery County, check out the county's new Legal Immigration Service Provider Directory! Find out which organizations provide legal immigration services, languages served, intake hours, fees and more.
If you are a service provider and would like copies of the booklet, email Diane Vu.
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Study Examines Solutions for Disconnected African American Youth
A new report commissioned by the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region finds that stronger social and academic supports are needed to connect African American youth to education and the workforce. The report provides a basis for the county to work toward its goal of guaranteeing every young person the support, education, and training he or she needs to achieve lifelong success.
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Capital Bikeshare Offers Free Memberships
Free one-year Capital Bikeshare memberships are available to county residents who receive assistance through any Montgomery County social services organizations or meet other low-income criteria.
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County Council's Grants Advisory Group Now Accepting Applicants
The Montgomery County Council is seeking applications from individuals interested in serving on its Grants Advisory Group for fiscal year 2017. Members of the advisory group serve in a volunteer capacity, reviewing grant applications and advising the council on proposals from the nonprofit community. Applicants for the advisory group may not be employees or members of a board of a nonprofit group applying for council grant funding. To apply, send a letter of interest and resume before 4 pm on Monday, Nov. 9, to Council President George Leventhal, Montgomery County Council, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD 20850, or here via email. More details available here or call 240-777-7935.
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County Employees Encouraged to Support Nonprofit Community
At the recent kickoff event for Montgomery County's annual employee giving campaign, County Executive Ike Leggett spoke to departmental representatives about the importance of supporting nonprofit community partners by donating their time, talents, and treasure.
Representatives of nonprofit organizations will be meeting with employees in events organized by each department to further inspire employee giving through the campaign, which runs through Friday, Dec. 4. Last year, county employees contributed $250,000 to community organizations.
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Audition for MLK Day Program
Planners for Montgomery County's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration program at Strathmore will be hosting talent auditions for the celebration on Friday, Nov. 13, 6:30-9 pm, at Carver Education Center in Rockville. All individuals and groups with skills in any genre of music, singing, acting, dancing, poetry, or other form of entertainment who wish to audition for the Jan. 18 program are welcome and encouraged.
Email Rachel Reed, the MLK commemorative committee talent chair, to reserve your audition slot.
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Bay Trust Offering Scholarships, Awards
The Chesapeake Bay Trust 2016 Awards Program honors students, teachers, individuals, communities, businesses and organizations for their work to promote education, improve local communities and help restore the Chesapeake Bay. Among them are two $5,000 scholarships, including one specifically for students of color:
The Honorable Arthur Dorman Scholarship recognizes a Maryland high school or college student of color who motivates and inspires others and participates in efforts to improve the local environment and/or the community.
The Student of the Year Scholarship is awarded to a Maryland high school or college student who motivates and inspires others and participates in efforts to improve the local environment and/or community.
Applications and/or nominations for all awards and scholarships are due Friday, Dec. 4, 5 pm, and must be submitted online. Email Molly Alton Mullins or
call 410-974-2941, ext. 107, for more information.
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Health and Human Services Releases New Strategic Roadmap
The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services has developed a new three-year strategic plan aimed at connecting clients to the full range of department programs and services while also ensuring that staff have the resources they need. Read the plan here.
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New Immigrants Celebrated & Informed
The New Americans Expo held in Silver Spring last month welcomed more than 1,500 visitors, who were able to find a range of goods and services important to new immigrants, all under one roof. Community leaders took the stage to welcome everyone, and County Executive Ike Leggett shared his thoughts about the importance of immigrants in Montgomery County. Leggett also presented the expo's signature award, the Community Integration Award, to Empowering Women International.
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French Conversation Club Meets in Germantown
The Germantown Library hosts a French Conversation Club on Wednesdays, 7-8 pm. The new group is designed to allow beginning and intermediate level French speakers to practice the language in a friendly setting.
Registration is required. Call 240-777-0110 or register online.
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Mark Your Calendar!
FIRM Financial Leadership Institute: Tuesday & Wednesday, Nov. 3-4, Universities at Shady Grove, Rockville. Nonprofit Montgomery's two-day intensive workshop plus follow-up tutorials are aimed at providing the strategic framework and practical tools nonprofits need to strengthen their financial leadership and management.
All About DACA: Wednesday, Nov. 4, 6:30-8 pm, Montgomery College Technical Center, Rockville. Learn about Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and how it affects students and the community.
Women's Law Center of Maryland Awards Ceremony: Wednesday, Nov. 4, 6 pm, Hunt Valley Inn. One Love Foundation and Cynthia Callahan, associate judge for the Montgomery County Circuit Court, will be honored for their contributions to the legal community. Funds raised by this event will help the center continue to provide services such as free legal representation for victims of domestic violence and employment and family law hotlines accessed by nearly 10,000 individuals each year.
CarFit for Mature Drivers: Wednesday, Nov. 4, 10 am-2 pm (by appointment only), Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center, Silver Spring. Seniors can learn how to make their personal vehicles "fit" them to increase safety and mobility. Free, but space is limited and registration is required. Call 240-777-8085.
Unity Christian Fellowship Scholarship Dinner: Saturday, Nov. 7, 6-10 pm, Universities at Shady Grove Conference Center, Rockville. Fellowship's signature event raises funds for youth scholarships aimed at bridging the education gap.
ADA 25th Anniversary Celebration: Sunday, Nov. 8, 1-3:30 pm, Mid-County Community Center, Silver Spring. Mark this milestone of the Americans With Disabilities Act with a program featuring a performance by former Harlem Globetrotter Spencer "Spinny" Johnson, refreshments, face painting, crafts, dancing, and a nature presentation.
Community Stories Festival: Nov. 10-15, at venues in Silver Spring, Takoma Park, and Germantown. Documentary screenings, a storytelling event, panels, and workshops will tell the stories of Montgomery County. Festival kicks off on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 6:30 pm, with free film screenings and Q&A at the AFI Silver Theater in Silver Spring.
Email Marketing for Nonprofits: Thursday, Nov. 12, 9-11:30 am, Pepco Edison Place Gallery, Washington. United Way of the National Capital Area presents session on best practices for making email newsletters more effective, plus ideas on taking advantage of the October-to-December giving season.
Senior Forum: Wednesday, Nov. 18, 10 am-12 noon, Crystal Ballroom at Leisure World, Silver Spring. Learn ways to prevent senior scams, encourage volunteerism and civic engagements, and stop elder abuse at this event hosted by County Councilmembers Roger Berliner and Sidney Katz.
The Homestretch Film Screening: Wednesday, Nov. 18, 7-9:30 pm, AFI Theatre, Silver Spring. The Montgomery County Interagency Commission on Homelessness presents a sobering but inspirational film examining the lives of three homeless teens in Chicago. The program will also include an introduction from the director and discussion about ending homelessness in Montgomery County.
Andes Manta: Saturday, Nov. 21. Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center, Silver Spring. Three events bring the music and folklore of the Andes to audiences: a family show at 11 am, a panpipe-making workshop at noon, and a concert at 7 pm.
What Seniors Need to Know About Tax Preparation: Tuesday, Dec. 15, 1 pm, Holiday Park Senior Center, Silver Spring. Attend a free presentation by a seasoned tax preparer about selecting a reputable tax preparation service provider, criteria for free tax preparation assistance, gathering the necessary documentation, tax deductions, changes in the tax code that could impact seniors, and more. Call 240-777-2610 for more information.
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Bilingual Workers Needed as Election Judges for Presidential Primary
The Montgomery County Board of Elections is seeking bilingual voters to work as election judges at early voting centers April 14-21 and at polling places on the presidential primary election day on Tuesday, April 26. Voters who are fluent in both English and Spanish are especially needed in each polling place in order to meet the requirements of the Voting Rights Act. Election judges must be registered to vote in the state of Maryland, be 17 years of age or older, and be a U.S. citizen. Bilingual judges must also be able to speak, read, and write English. All election judges will be compensated for training and for serving during early voting or on election day. Contact the Montgomery County Board of Elections at 240-777-8532, apply online, or e-mail Dr. Gilberto Zelaya if you are interested in taking on this leadership position. Call 240-777-VOTE or click here for more election information.
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Award Honors Library Supporters
Know of people or organizations that have demonstrated exceptional service to the county library system? Nominate them for the Friends of the Library Montgomery County's Charles W. Gilchrist Award.
The annual award, named in memory of the former county executive who sought to encourage community participation, is presented to an individual, family, family foundation, corporation, or civic group that has supported Montgomery County Public Libraries through volunteer and/or philanthropic help.
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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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Montgomery Celebrates Diversity and Service
The Un-Trump County
Despite the cold weather, there was a warm and welcoming feeling on the Rockville campus of Montgomery College last month at the Seventh Annual World of Montgomery Festival. Thousands enjoyed a day of dance, song, food, and culture from all over the world. Organized by the Fund for Montgomery and the KID Museum, the festival showcased Montgomery's diverse communities with a focus on China, El Salvador, Ethiopia, and India--the countries of Montgomery's four Sister Cities. Montgomery College, the city of Rockville, and Montgomery County Public Schools joined the county government as partners this year. Mid-Atlantic Federal Credit Union stepped up as our main funder and was joined by other sponsors of the Fund for Montgomery, including Southern Management, Verizon, PEPCO, and Choice Hotels. Thanks to all for a fabulous day!
The theme of the day was that our diversity has made our community stronger. Many attendees commented that they wished presidential candidate Donald Trump could have seen this display of unity and celebration in person. The World of Montgomery Festival is the perfect antidote to Trump's divisive rhetoric. In addition to cultural presentations from all across the globe, we kicked off our annual Community Service Week at the festival. Thousands of county residents rolled up their sleeves and helped their neighbors in need between the Oct. 18 festival and our 29th annual Community Service Day on Oct. 24.
If trumped-up rhetoric about America's future is getting you down, you'll feel better if you spend a few minutes enjoying this video of festival highlights and this gallery of photos from the festival, which capture the sounds and sites of a welcoming community at work. |
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Rachel Peric, deputy director of Welcoming America; County Executive Ike Leggett; Gustavo Torres, executive director of CASA de Maryland; and David Lubell, executive director of Welcoming America
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October is always a busy month for us in the Office of Community Partnerships and this October included our New Americans Expo, fundraisers for our Salvadoran and Ethiopian Sister Cities, and our annual Diwali Festival of Lights celebration. One special honor was the decision of Welcoming America, a national movement of inclusive communities working to embrace immigrants and foster opportunity for all, to hold its national Welcoming Communities Summit in Montgomery County at the Silver Spring Civic Building on October 6, the day before a White House Building Welcoming Communities Convening. As the keynote speaker, County Executive Ike Leggett explained to the delegates that while it is important to ensure that our new residents have a seat at the civic table, it has been equally important that we not displace those who were already rightfully at the table. The solution, the County Executive explained, was to build a bigger table. Click here for more on the summit. Looking forward to seeing you in Silver Spring at the Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade Saturday, Nov. 21, starting at 10 am at Ellsworth Drive and Veterans Plaza.
Bruce Adams
Director, Office of Community Partnerships
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Holiday Giving Project and More Ways to Help During the Holidays Now Under Way
The Holiday Giving Project of Montgomery County, coordinated by A Wider Circle, is looking for additional partners to join the project's coalition. Members are working together to assist needy families in underserved areas in Silver Spring and Bethesda for the December holidays. The Holiday Giving Project is a meaningful way to make a positive impact on our community, while building deeper relationships. To learn more about how to participate, email Susan Klavon.
The Volunteer Center is already compiling other opportunities to help the needy this season. Click here for details.
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Give a Round of Applause to Community Service Week Participants
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In the kickoff event for Community Service Week 2015, volunteers from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority prepared food for local shelters in a project organized by Nourish Now and the Campus Kitchens Project at the Universities of Shady Grove.
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Thousands of county residents rolled up their sleeves to help their neighbors in need during Montgomery County's Community Service Week, which spanned Oct. 16-25 this year. Volunteers cleaned parks and streams, prepared and collected food for the hungry, participated in walks and community festivals, and much more. Thank you all!
Giant Food Stores across Montgomery County participated in the annual Manna Food Drive held in conjunction with Community Service Week. Among the volunteers were these students from Watkins Mill High School Interact Club: Ana Granados, Club Sponsor Karla Monge-Sandoval, Roxanna Villafuerte, Doereana Hernandez, Heydi Aragon, and Karolina Flores.
In conjunction with Community Service Week, the Corporate Volunteer Council held its annual awards luncheon recognizing four of its member businesses for their commitment to supporting the Montgomery County community through employee volunteer engagement. Click here to see a video report on the event by nonprofit Montgomery Community Media.
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Tax-Aide Volunteer Orientation Coming Up
Learn about volunteer opportunities with the RSVP/AARP Tax-Aide Program, which offers free tax preparation assistance for low-to-moderate income taxpayers (with special attention to those age 60+). RSVP--the Retired Senior Volunteer Program--is a program of the Montgomery County Volunteer Center. Volunteers are needed to work as tax counselors, facilitators, and schedulers, and free training is provided. Get more details at one of the orientation sessions, set for Tuesday, Nov. 17, 10:30 am-12:30 pm at the Gaithersburg Library, and Friday, Dec. 4, 1-3 pm at the Silver Spring Library. No registration required. Additional information available online or call 240-777-2610.
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Juvenile Justice Forum Features Film Screening
The County Executive's Pan African Advisory Group will host a juvenile justice forum on Friday, Nov. 20, 6:30 pm at the Silver Spring Civic Building. Evan Glass, executive director of the Gandhi Brigade, will show an eight-minute documentary produced this summer by Gandhi Brigade Youth Media. The film, "Juvenile Justice: The Road to Reform," was produced by seven African American youth and focuses on two Maryland young men who were incarcerated as juveniles and how they're attempting to make changes in their lives. Watch a trailer of the film here.
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Community Gathering to Address Achievement Gap
Concerned about African American student achievement in Montgomery County? Offer your thoughts and hear from other interested parties working to identify new trends and initiatives to address the African American student achievement gap at an event Monday, Nov. 19, 8:30 am-3 pm, at the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville.
The day-long session, sponsored by the African American Students Achievement Gap Group, will enable participants to review data, learn best practices, and collaborate on actions aimed at ensuring the success of all students. Register and get more details here.
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County Hosts Diwali Celebration
Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett and the county's Office of Community Partnerships hosted the a Diwali celebration on Oct. 28 at the Executive Office Building. Also known as the "Festival of Lights," Diwali is a holiday observed worldwide between mid-October and mid-November by people of Indian and South Asian heritage. The observance marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year and celebrates the victory of good over evil and light over darkness.
Despite stormy weather the night of the event, the celebration was the largest Diwali event in the county to date and included a reception with traditional Indian sweets, henna, dhol drummers, and traditional Indian dances throughout the program.
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County Offers Procurement Workshop for Asian American and Pacific Islander Business Leaders
Asian American and Pacific Islander business leaders are invited to attend a workshop hosted by Montgomery County Minority Procurement Director Cherri Branson on Monday, Nov. 9, 2-4 pm, at the Rockville Library. Attendees will get a chance to learn about the Montgomery County procurement process, procurement laws, and regulations, including new policies on the Local Small Business Reserve Program and the Minority Owned Business Program and the Wage Requirements Law (governing health insurance and pay equity). RSVP here.
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Indian Health Education Takes Forefront at Seminar
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Montgomery Sister City Board Member Ram Mohan, Montgomery College Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Sanjay Rai, Ekal Mid-Atlantic Region Vice President Shashi Shrivastav, County Executive Ike Leggett, Montgomery India Sister City Committee Member Dr. Sudhir Sekhsaria, Montgomery County Interfaith Community Liaison Rev. Mansfield "Kasey" Kaseman, and Montgomery County Office of Community Partnerships Director Bruce Adams at the Ekal seminar
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Montgomery County leaders learned more about health education and development of rural India at a seminar presented by Ekal Vidyalaya's Washington, D.C., chapter in late October at the county Executive Office Building. Ekal Vidyalaya's mission is to bring basic education to every child across rural India, and the local chapter used the Montgomery County seminar as an opportunity to focus on the need for health education in Indian villages.
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South Korean Delegation Visits Montgomery County
The Office of Community Partnerships recently hosted a delegation led by Superintendent Dong Ho Sul from Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education in South Korea. The two-day trip to Montgomery County, held in late October and coordinated by JG Business Link International, included visits to Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville Town Center, Strathmore, and the Gilchrist Center for Cultural Diversity.
The purpose of the visit was to sign a memorandum of understanding formalizing a teacher exchange program with Montgomery College and Montgomery County Public Schools. The program will start in January, with a cohort of teachers from Daejeon participating in a month-long training program at Montgomery College.
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Fellows From Kenya Learn Through County's Interfaith and African Communities
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Scott Taylor, director of African Studies at Georgetown Univeristy with Villa-Vicencio, Bosack, Mundia, Chengeck, and Kaseman at the Georgetown event
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State Department Fellows Bonventure Chengeck and Nyambra Mundia accompanied Rev. Mansfield "Kasey" Kaseman, Montgomery County's interfaith liaison, to Georgetown University to hear an address on authentic reconciliation and justice in South Africa and the United States from South African liberation theologians Allen Bosack and Charles Villa-Vicencio.
Chengeck and Mundia are preparing to return to Kenya with insights gained from their engagement with the Montgomery County Office of Community Partnerships, African Affairs Advisory Group, and Faith Community Advisory Council, as well as the International Cultural Center.
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Making Progress Toward a Hunger-Free Zone
About 100 community allies came together in October at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rockville for a special meeting to hear about progress on fighting hunger in our county. The event--sponsored by the Montgomery County Food Security Collaborative in partnership with the Montgomery County Food Council and the Faith Community Advisory Council's Hunger Relief Committee--offered an an uplifting progress report. Among those who addressed the gathering were Andy Burness of Burness Communications, County Councilman Roger Berliner, Jackie DeCarlo of Manna, Pat Drumming and Alta-Gracia Chaupar of Rainbow, Diego Uriburu of Identity, and Rev. Mansfield "Kasey" Kaseman with the county's Office of Community Partnerships.
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Local Sikh Community Celebrates Anniversaries
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Dr. Rajwant Singh and Inder Paul Singh of Guru Gobind Singh Foundation, Kaseman, and Chattar Singh Saini of the National Sikh Center at the anniversary celebration
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On the 30th anniversary of the Guru Gobind Singh Foundation and the 10th anniversary of the Sikh Spiritual Center, Montgomery County Interfaith Community Liaison Rev. Mansfield "Kasey" Kaseman spoke on behalf of County Executive Ike Leggett, commending them for demonstrating the values of inclusiveness, service to others, and respect for all faith traditions and people.
The Sikh Spiritual Center provides spiritual formation for more than 1,500 Sikh families living in Montgomery County. It also provides mental and physical support for people throughout the greater community through such services as its health clinic, leadership in the county Faith Community Advisory Council (FCAC) Education Committee, participation in the FCAC's Faith Leaders Response Team, and service as certified Emotional Spiritual Care Volunteers through FCAC.
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Muslim Foundation Distributes Meat to Low-Income Families for Eid al-Adha
On Oct. 4, the Montgomery County Muslim Foundation (MCMF)--in collaboration with Impact Silver Spring, Adventist Support Services, and Educare Support Services--distributed about 4,500 pounds of raw meat to low-income families throughout Montgomery County . Every year, in remembrance of Abraham's humility and obedience to the Almighty and in celebration of the festival of Eid al-Adha, MCMF sacrifices cows and distributes the meat to needy families irrespective of their religion. As part of this mission, MCMF also distributed 1,000 pounds of meat in Baltimore.
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Visitors Get a Taste of El Salvador at World of Montgomery Festival
 At the World of Montgomery Festival held at the Mongomery College Rockville campus last month, El Salvador's tent drew a crowd. The tent featured several activities aimed at kids--including coloring the Torogoz (the country's national bird), making Capiruchos (similar to yo-yos), and a tortilla-making demonstration--as well as a photo booth with a beautiful traditional mural filled with vibrant colors and symbols from El Salvador and artisanal artifacts and masks from the Mayan and Pipil indigenous population.
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Silver Spring Library Commemorates Hispanic Heritage Month With Migrating Youth Exhibit
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County Executive Ike Leggett meets with student story-tellers at the county library premiere of the Migrating Youth exhibit
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Montgomery County celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with the premiere of the "Stories of Migrating Youth" exhibition at the Silver Spring Library. The exhibition highlights the stories of a group of immigrant students, many of them from Central America, who have reunified with family members and formed a new life in Montgomery County.
The books featured at the exhibit were part of a community outreach program at the Sandy Spring Museum last year. More than 30 students from Sherwood High School participated in the program, which enabled them to learn bookbinding skills, participate in informal art therapy sessions, and create personal stories of their own migration to the United States.
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Delegation Prepares for Visit to El Salvador
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The Montgomery Sister Cities delegation to Moraz�n
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The Moraz�n, El Salvador, Sister Cities volunteer committee is excitedly anticipating its trip to Moraz�n, which will take place Nov. 7-12 with a delegation led by County Executive Ike Leggett and County Council President George Levanthal.
In addition to sharing cultural and education experiences, the delegation will take a contribution for the Francisco de Gotera Hospital and 150 computers donated by the county to the Ministry of Education in Moraz�n.
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Events Raise Funds and Awareness
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County Council President George Leventhal (center) was among those who attended the Gondar, Ethiopia, Sister City celebration/fundraiser in Silver Spring in October. Ethiopia is the number-one country of origin of Montgomery County's African immigrant population, and Ethiopians are the second fastest-growing immigrant population in the county.
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More than 200 people attended Moraz�n Sister Cities Fiesta fundraiser in Silver Spring last month, among them members of the Moraz�n committee, including Claudia Canales, County Executive Ike Leggett, Neftali Granados, Isis Salmeron and Yenny Miranda. El Salvador is the number-one country of origin of Montgomery County's immigrant population.
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October was busy for Montgomery County Sister Cities, with both the Gondar, Ethiopia, and Moraz�n, El Salvador, Sister Cities volunteer committees holding successful fundraising events at the Silver Spring Civic Building. In addition to raising much needed funds for community development in the sister cities, these events raised awareness of the county's work to foster community, education, philanthropic, and business relationships with our sister cities. In addition to the fundraising events, volunteers representing all four sister cities--Hybderabad, India, and Xi, China, as well as Moraz�n and Gondar--staffed tents at the annual World of Montgomery Festival, sharing cultural experiences, delicious food and general awareness about these countries of origin for so many Montgomery County citizens.
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