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June 2016 - Issue 98
NEWS & EVENTS AROUND THE REGION
Join Do More 24 Fundraising Campaign

United Way of the National Capital Area (UWNCA), the preeminent convener, collaborator and catalyst for social change in the National Capital community launches its 4th annual Do More 24 campaign, a 24-hour, online fundraiser scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 2nd, 2016. The fundraiser encourages donors to contribute to the causes and organizations closest to their hearts to solve the National Capital community's most pressing challenges.


On June 2nd everyone is encouraged to visit Do More 24 website and find the nonprofit(s) that inspire them and give generously!
2016 Heritage Days are Here

June 25th and June 26th noon to 4pm at locations throughout Montgomery County. This free event offers visitors the opportunity to explore local history, culture, and nature with programs and activities that are fun for all ages. Sponsored by Heritage Montgomery, the 19th annual Heritage Days features 30+ parks, museums, and historic sites open with FREE admission throughout Montgomery County. Activities for all ages include history exhibits & programs, walking and biking tours, children's games and crafts, music and fun. Click here for locations and details.

Strong Cities Network Summit held in Turkey

The Montgomery County Model for creating social cohesion and public safety was among the best practices presented at the global Summit by Rev. Kaseman.  More than 200 delegates from 39 countries met in Antayla,Turkey on May 11-12 in response to the growth of radicalization and the unprecedented migration of millions of refugees.

This highly informative summit was sponsored by the Strong Cities Network in collaboration with the Institute for Strategic Dialogue where elected officials from 62 jurisdictions learned of the role interfaith leaders play in partnership with elected and appointed officials in Montgomery County. 

It was hard for some to believe we have leaders from Western and Eastern faith traditions on call 24/7 responding to acts of hate and violence, and we have trained and certified 43 to be working directly with the police, Office of Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security, DHHS and Fire and Rescue Services.



Understanding Diversity Through Arts

The 12th annual Understanding Diversity Through the Arts reception co-sponsored by MCPS, Department of Libraries, and our Office of Community Partnerships, was held on Friday May 20 at the Rockville Memorial Library. Mikaela Chin, an eighth grader at Kingsview Middle School, won the 2016 Best In Show with a piece featuring a steam locomotive similar to those using the tracks originally laid by her Chinese immigrant great-great-great grandfather. An exhibit of the art work of scores of talented middle schoolers is on display on the second floor of the Rockville Memorial Library (21 Maryland Avenue, Rockville) until August 29.

(from left): Nicole Ahmadpour, Nega Berki, Mikaela Chin, Mya Williams, Marcella Galvez, Kiley Ring, Erin Ripley, Danny Liang, Kamila Melikova
Former Gaithersburg Mayor Bohrer Commemorated with Sculpture

Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman and members of the City Council were joined by family members of former Mayor W. Edward Bohrer, Jr. and other community representatives in the dedication of a public art sculpture at Bohrer Park.  The sculpture dedication also served as the kick-off of a year's worth of of activities to celebrate Gaithersburg's 20 years of involvement with the Character Counts! program.  Former Mayor Bohrer was instrumental in bringing the program to Gaithersburg.  Stop by the Activity Center to see the sculpture. Click here to read full press release. You can also view all Character Counts! activities taking place during the year by clicking here.

 
Montgomery County holds Resource Fair to mark Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month

The County's Office of Community Partnerships hosted a resource fair to mark Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month on May 22, 2016 at the Executive Office Building. Organized in partnership with the County's Asian Pacific American Advisory Group, the resource fair provided community members a valuable opportunity to learn about free services the County offers in vital areas such as housing, seniors, health care, immigration and legal services. Interpreters were available to provide assistance to community members with linguistic challenges.


Food collection drive collects More Than 10,000 pounds of food

The Montgomery County Muslim Foundation partnered with Manna Food Center and Giant Food to collect more than 10,500 pounds of canned and packed foods for needy residents over the weekends of April 23-24 and May 7-8. Over 60 volunteers worked with 12 Giant stores across the county collected food over two weekends. MCMF is a grassroots, non-profit 501(c) (3) that strives to encourage and promote the resident Muslim's community's involvement in the county and engage Muslims in community service. For information on MCMF, please visit their website.



Non Profits Catalogue for 2016-2017 is now out

The Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington is out with its 2016-2017 catalogue featuring local, community-based charities in the 14th edition of the catalogue.

Each of the charities listed successfully passed through a rigorous review process conducted by a team 100+ experts in the local philanthropic field. You can order your free copy and see if your organization made it to the list here.


Mark Your Calendar!

IMPACT'S First Annual Network Meeting:  
Wednesday, June 8th 6:00-8:30 pm, Silver Spring Civic Building, One Veterans Place, Silver Spring.
Join the first annual meeting for more insight on IMPACT's vision and network building strategy moving forward as well as celebrate past year's achievements and accomplishments. To know more call (301) 298-5117 or click here.

7th Annual State & County Budget and Policy Debrief: 
June 15, 8:30 -9:00 am coffee and networking, 9-10:30 am program , Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington. Please join this event organized by Nonprofit Montgomery to interact with representatives from their delegation in Annapolis and in Montgomery County Government for a discussion of budget and policy decisions as well as issues that are likely to come up in the next budget or legislative cycle that merit discussion or work over the summer. Register today.

Fund for Montgomery Sponsors World of Montgomery Nights at Povich Field:
The Fund for Montgomery is sponsoring again this year a series of World of Montgomery Nights at Bethesda Big Train baseball games at Shirley Povich Field. Friday June 17 will be Tribute to Cuban Baseball Night featuring music by Blanco y Negro. Thursday June 23 will be Jewish Baseball Heritage Night featuring a tribute to the great Jewish barrier breaker Hank Greenberg. Come out for a Yidish Take Me Out to the Ball Game performed by Rabbi David Shneyer. The KID Museum and music by Marichi El Aguila will be the feature of World of Montgomery Night on Thursday July 14. Great fun for families with young children. Gates open and entertainment starts at 6:30 p.m. 
The Big Train baseball games begin at 7:30 p.m. For more information about Big Train baseball, visit website here. For information about pre-game picnics June 17 and 23, please email Bruce Adams.

Run For a Cause
Saturday, June 18 from 8:30-11:30 am at 255 Kentlands Blvd. (Kentlands Shopping Ctr) Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Bring your friends, family and critters for the 6th Annual 5K Critters On The Run, in partnership with Fleet Feet Sports and help make a difference for the women battling breast and gynecological cancer.
Fee of $25 per person and $50 per family(2 adults+kids under 12 free) applicable.More information can be found here.

Get Involved: Join a Board or Commission

County Executive Ike Leggett seeks applicants of diverse backgrounds, professions, gender, geography, disability, and ethnicity to serve on the county's boards and commissions. Members of County boards, committees and commissions may not serve on more than one such group at a time. Members of these boards are eligible for reimbursement for travel and dependent care for meetings attended. County Executive Leggett's appointments are generally subject to confirmation by the County Council. Applications of individuals selected for appointment are made public as part of the confirmation process. 

Access complete list of vacancy announcements for boards, committees, and commissions
here.

County Executive Leggett Seeks Applicants for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Committee

County Executive Isiah Leggett is seeking applicants to fill 10 general public vacancies on the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Committee.The Committee plans and implements Montgomery County's annual program to observe the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Additionally, the Committee works to promote greater public awareness of the contributions of Dr. King, and foster the ideals and goals that Dr. King espoused. The deadline for application is June 8, 2016.

Please Note that the BCC Application Process is OnlineFor more information, please contact Beth Gochrach at 240-777-2528 or 



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

Time Flies When You Are Having Fun
30th Anniversary of Community Service Day

The wonderful staff at our Volunteer Center just pointed out to me that Saturday October 22 will be the 30th Community Service Day. Really? Already? Am I that old? Yes. At the campaign kickoff for my 1986 race for County Council, we began with a conventional political rally but then spread out across the county to work on community service projects. I remember packing food at Manna with County Executive Charlie Gilchrist. In my campaign kickoff speech, I said that if I were to be elected, we would have a countywide community service day every year. County Executive Sid Kramer and his wife Betty Mae were early leaders in establishing Community Service Day as a major part of the Montgomery County culture of service. Governor William Donald Schaefer made it an annual statewide event. Within five years, Make a Difference Day, now the nation's largest single day of service, was launched. This will be the 25th year of the national event which is held on the fourth Saturday in October each year.

In 2011, we officially extended Community Service Day to a full week, recognizing that religion, soccer, and other priority activities make it impossible for everyone to participate on a Saturday. To celebrate our 25th year, we set an audacious goal of 25,000 volunteers for the week, and we met our goal. Since 2011, we have kicked off the week of service at our annual World of Montgomery Festival.


So why am I writing now about these events to be held in October? Simple: a great turnout for our 30th anniversary will require planning to start now. So if you are a faith congregation, get ahold of our new How Faith Communities in Montgomery County Can Welcome Our New Neighbors and figure out a project for Community Service Week (or before!). If you run a youth, adult, or senior sports league, contact Leveling the Playing Field and organize an equipment drive for October 16 through 23. If you are a PTA member, work with your principal to organize a cleanup drive at your school. If you are a civic association leader, gather some troops and plant some trees or clean up your local park. Late October is a great time to tidy up and put a school yard or a neighborhood park to bed for the winter. Organize a food or clothing drive at your work or in your neighborhood. Collect food for Manna at a local Giant food store. Join us at the 8th Annual World of Montgomery Festival on Sunday October 16 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Rockville campus of Montgomery College. Whatever you feel good doing, start planning a project where you, friends, and family can roll up your sleeves and make a difference. If you want some help identifying a possible project, log onto our montgomeryserves.org website, and you will find a wide range of choices.

I'm pleased to let you know that Deb Lang of Mover Moms fame has agreed to be the main organizer of Community Service Week 2016. Deb knows service. Please give her a call at 240-777-2600 or send her an email. We look forward to having you and your friends and family join us in helping our neighbors in need or beautifying our county. Our culture of community service is what makes Montgomery County so special.

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Bruce Adams
Director, Office of Community Partnerships
Volunteer Tax-Aide Program Serves Thousands

Congratulations to the amazing volunteers in the RSVP/AARP Tax-Aide Program.They wrapped up another very successful tax season preparing 4,959 tax returns, resulting in a total refund of $4,280,408 for low-to-moderate income Montgomery County taxpayers with special attention to seniors.Over 140 volunteers served at 25 locations throughout Montgomery County.The dedication of the volunteers to this vital community service is inspirational!

On May 18th, a volunteer appreciation brunch was hosted by Brighton Gardens of Tuckerman Lane where the County Executive Certificates of Appreciation was presented to Sonia Leon and Leslie Roberts. 

Sonia is retiring as scheduling office coordinator after 10 years. Leslie Roberts has been with the program since 1992; while she is stepping down as a site chief, she will continue as a tax counselor.

Laurie Edberg, special assistant to Senator Barbara Mikulski, conveyed thanks and admiration to the volunteers.Some lucky volunteers won great door prizes and there were lovely goodie bags for all.

We would once again like to thank our community supporters: Adventist Health Care Urgent Care, AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, ASBURY Wilson Health Care Center, Cabot Creamery, Cava Mezze Grill, Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company, Chris Heald Group @ Raymond James, Corner Bakery Caf�, Honest Tea, Lebanese Taverna, Massuage Associates, MC Dept. of Environmental Protection, Mid-Atlantic Federal Credit Union, Round House Theatre, Senior Connection, Sunrise Senior Living, Tommy Joe's Bar & Grill, Trader Joe's, Vamoose Bus and Wegmans.

This is an incredibly hard-working and congenial group of volunteers! If you are interested in joining the RSVP/AARP Tax-Aide team next season as a tax counselor, client facilitator (greeter) or scheduler, click here or email [email protected]. The Volunteer information is sent out in the fall.


(From left): Sonia Leon, Bruce Adams, Leslie Roberts, Kathleen Meaney Stobie, Laurie Edberg, Lynn Kinch, Gretchen Zekiel, and Chelsea Almeida.



Summer is a Great Time to Volunteer

Summer is here and it is a great time to get out and volunteer - click here to see the latest opportunities posted on our website. You can click here to view the calendar for date specific opportunities. We have 40 new listings in the last two weeks and there is something suitable for everyone.

Coming up on June 20-26 - Golf Lovers Needed - Volunteer for the Quicken Loans National PGA Tour event or help feed children at Summer Meal Sites for Children
Continued Focus on Quality Service
  
The Gilchrist Center for Cultural Diversity held its quarterly all-staff meeting on Friday, May 20, 2016. Sixteen staff members from across the four center locations participated. The center continues to provide high quality services to the county's immigrant community through regular professional development of its staff. The staff participates as well as leads segments of the training, providing opportunities for sharing and developing new skills.Our May meeting focused on Active Listening for Customer Service and updates about services provided by HHS.


(from left): Martha Guzman, Carlos Iglesias, Kaori Hirakawa, Juliet Komwa, June Lee, Anna DeNicolo, Daniel Koroma, Graigni Loor-Iwasaki, Natalie Chhuan, Carla Ayala, Norah George, Gaby Raudales; front from left: Cindy Kim, Cristina Sua-Gatica, Saron Kibret, Birtucan Assres

Our staff brings a varied pool of talent and knowledge to the center, some of them being immigrants themselves, or children of immigrants with experience in community development, legal services, medical services, health and human services, social services, finance, and international development. Most of them are bi- or multilingual in Spanish, French, Khmer, Amharic, Swahili, Chichewa, Krio, Korean, Japanese, and more. Together they all make the Gilchrist Center a special place.

Celebrating Kaori's 10 Years with the Gilchrist Center

While the Montgomery County's immigrant community was growing and changing during the the last ten years, there was one constant that could be relied upon - Gilchrist Center Program Manager Kaori Hirakawa. 

As the center moved, reorganized, and expanded, Kaori has been the rock that Montgomery County could count on to assure the Gilchrist Center for Cultural Diversity's good work could go on. Kaori joined the Gilchrist Center in 2006 when it was on Elkin Street in Wheaton. Among her many accomplishments, Kaori identified the need for basic computer classes and launched a much-appreciated program that even today is one of the few available opportunities for low-cost basic computer learning in the county.

As the center has grown, so have Kaori's responsibilities - setting up new sites in Gaithersburg and East County, hiring new staff, and arranging one more move this year, for the Wheaton site. Amongst the Gilchrist Center staff, there is no doubt that the center wouldn't be where it is today, serving thousands of clients annually in Wheaton, Gaithersburg, Germantown, and East County, if it weren't for the tireless dedication of Kaori Hirakawa.Kaori was awarded a 10-year pin in recognition of her commitment to Montgomery County, on May 20, 2016.

Thank you, Kaori!
CONTINENTAL AFRICAN COMMUNITY
A Special Mother's Day Gift
  
On Saturday, May 7th, Daniel Koroma received the National Organization of Sierra Leoneans in North America's (NOSLINA) highest award for public service. After thanking the County Executive, Directors Bruce Adams and Reemberto Rodriguez, his colleagues at the AAAG and the Office of Community Partnerships, Daniel and Mabel Koroma then surprised Daniel's mother by setting up an Educational Scholarship to support girls education in Sierra Leone. Daniel's mother is a strong advocate for education and continues to support many efforts to reach at risk girls.

NOSLINA was founded in March 1998 and serves as the leading Sierra Leone Diaspora organization in the United States. Its core values are based on the unique diversity of its members. NOSLINA promotes the interconnectedness of its members within the US and strengthens links between the Diaspora and their homeland. The group has been supporting community projects and other initiatives at home in areas such as education, health, and sanitation; advocating good governance and citizenship; and publicly recognizing Sierra Leoneans and individuals of Sierra Leone descent or parentage, friends of Sierra Leone and related entities in the Diaspora for their professional accomplishments and distinctive contributions to Society.
CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY
10th National Caribbean American Heritage Month

The County Executive's Caribbean American Advisory Group (CAAG) invites you to celebrate this year's Caribbean American Heritage Month. On Sunday, June 5th, the group will have a Thanksgiving Service at 11:00 AM at The People's Community Baptist Church located on 31 Norwood Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20905. A reception will follow after the morning service at the church hall.

More Caribbean American Heritage Events

On Saturday, June 11, 2016, 1-4 pm Silver Spring Library 900 Wayne Ave. Silver Spring, MD, Montgomery County Public Libraries to host the Caribbean heritage month festival showcasing a variety of performances and activities including Storytelling by Kwesi Oginga, author and featured Visual Artist at 2015 Discover Strathmore, Kite-making demonstrations as well as Caribbean Dances and Caribbean fashion show (wear your traditional costume).For more information, click here or email Althea Grey-McKenzie.

On Saturday, June 18th, from 1:00pm to 6:00pm, a Community Picnic and Proclamation will be held at the Wheaton Regional Park located at 2000 Shorefield Road Wheaton MD 20902. Both events are free and open to the public. For more information please visit our community website.

 
In recognition of Caribbean Heritage Month in June, AFI Silver is proud to host the DC Caribbean Filmfest, now in its 14th year. The festival is co-presented by Caribbean Association of World Bank and IMF Staff (CAWI), Caribbean Professional Network (CPN), Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) and TransAfrica. You can read more here

AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY 
Montgomery County's 20th Annual Juneteenth Celebration


Friday, June 17, 2016 6:30 pm, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett cordially invites you to Montgomery County's 20th Annual Juneteenth Celebration at the BlackRock Center for the Arts,12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown, MD 20874.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day Union General Gordon Granger and 2,000 federal troops finally arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation officially ending slavery in every state of the Union.

Gaithersburg Pro-Bono Legal Aid Ministry 79th Clinic

Saturday, June 11th 9:30 am : Good Samaritan Advocates at Covenant Life Church will hold its 79th legal aid clinic to provide free legal aid services to neighbors who cannot currently afford legal counsel. The Clinic is by appointment only, so clients can be properly screened and matched in advance with the attorney and the volunteer team best suited to advise on their legal matters. Applications can be made online here or by calling 301-869-2800 and asking for GSA or Legal Aid. 

The GSA community legal aid clinic is recognized by the State of Maryland as an authorized legal aid clinic and has served hundreds of clients through the investment of thousands of volunteer hours at monthly clinics.  Legal matters handled and resolved by GSA attorneys have included: adoption, alimony, auto injuries & insurance claims, bankruptcy, child custody & visitation, collection suits and credit card debt, contract disputes, contempt of court citations, deportation, drug possession, estate & trust matters, home mortgage modifications and foreclosures, housing and landlord-tenant disputes, immigration, license revocation and other MVA issues, medical powers of attorney, political asylum, subpoenas, etc. For more information visit website or call 301-869-2800. 

Princeton Club of Washington's Summer Seminar Series on Civic Engagement

The Princeton Club of Washington welcomes all to the summer breakfast seminar series organized by the Asian American Alumni Association of Princeton-DC Region (A4P-DC), with support from the Association of Princeton Graduate Alumni (APGA) and the Association of Black Princeton Alumni (ABPA). Join in depth discussions and learn about the issues affecting Asian Pacific Americans (APA) and the broader implications for our communities. Each session will have an expert moderator to facilitate the discussion and feature knowledgeable speakers with expertise in the topic area. Series is open to the public and begins June 28.Fee of $25/person per session applicable. Click here to register to the seminar.
Montgomery County to Offer Religious Literacy Course for Educators 
 

The Maryland State Department of Education has approved a new course, Religious Literacy for Educators, for the next five years. The course will allow 35 MCPS teachers to interact with and learn from some of the nation's finest scholars on religious literacy.

The plan for the course was proposed by Christopher Murray, a Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) teacher at Walter Johnson High School, who also serves on the Faith Community Working Group's (FCWG) Education Committee.

Beginning June 27, the course will feature introductions from experts on Christianity, Judaism, Sikhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism, as well as a visit to four places of worship. Teachers will hear from Montgomery County and national leaders about the importance of having a more religiously literate community. This latest joint community venture is possible thanks to the close relationship and collaboration of MCPS, Montgomery County Education Association, Faith Community Advisory Council, FCWG, and the County Executive's Office of Community Partnerships. This effort is part of the MCPS mission to provide staff and teachers with the best cultural competency training in the nation.

Launch of "Welcoming Our New Neighbors" - Resource Guide 
 

Our world is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis with millions of refugees and immigrants fleeing persecution and violence. In response, the County Executive's Faith Community Advisory Council has prepared a do-it-yourself guide to assist faith communities in Montgomery County to Welcome Our New Neighbors. The guide provides ways people may connect with the heart of their faith, learn about the needs of their neighbors, and work with nonprofits and government agencies to make Montgomery County the most welcoming community in America. You may click here to open the resource guide that has been specifically prepared for faith communities in Montgomery County to Welcome Our New Neighbors.The guide will be mailed to all houses of worship in the county.
Telemundo's Mother's Day Celebration

On Sunday, May 15, Telemundo Washington D.C., a local Spanish language community oriented broadcaster held its signature community event, the 8th Annual Fiesta de las Madres-this Mother's Day celebration is one of the biggest event in downtown Silver Spring and in the region. The all-day event included great entertainment, music, food, performances and free information and services available to over 10,000 participants.   
2016 Youth Leadership Summit

Sister Cities International welcomes Montgomery County high school students (ages 14-18) to participate in the 2016 Youth Leadership Summit celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Sister Cities International in Washington, DC July 13-16, 2016. 

Participating students will have the opportunity to engage in citizen diplomacy through a simulation led by the Department of State's US Diplomacy Center, hear various speakers and attend a reception at the Japanese Ambassador's residence among other events. Students may choose to commute to the summit for a reduced registration rate or stay overnight in the dorms at The George Washington University for a taste of college life. For more information click here.

Learn more about Sister Cities program on the website.

Join Sister Cities September Trip to Gondar

The Gondar Sister Cities committee continues planning the September trip. Reservations are currently being accepted. For information, contact Daniel Koroma at [email protected].