Dear Ward 8 Residents,

Prepare to make a splash and kickstart your day with a refreshing "Morning Swim" at the Ballou Aquatics Center. I am thrilled to announce my office is hosting a special event honoring the enthusiastic advocacy and request of our residents and stakeholders that fought to access this pool for community enjoyment.

📅 Date: Thursday, April 11, 2024
🕗 Time: 6:30 AM - 8:00 AM
📍 Location: Ballou Aquatics Center (the entrance to the pool is along the backside of the schoo neard 2nd St SE & Upsal St SE)

The swim event will be led by a certified water aerobics instructor fit for all ages and skill levels. Whether you're a seasoned swimmer or just looking to dip your toes into the water, everyone is welcome to join in on the aquatic festivities. 

We look forward to hosting you,

Trayon White, Sr.
Councilmember, Ward 8 
 

Sunday, April 14th

Festivities begin at 2:00 PM concludes with Fireworks at 8:30 p.m.

Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Between 10th & 14th Street

The Committee of the Whole convened a series of hearings focused on education agencies in the District of Columbia. The hearings, which included DC Public Schools, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, the DC Public Charter School Board, the State Board of Education, the District of Columbia State Athletic Association, the Office of the Student Advocate, and the Deputy Mayor for Education, highlighted key priorities and challenges facing the education sector.

While there were some cuts in the public education sector revealed in the Mayor’s FY25 Proposed Budget, there has also been funding directed toward education in Ward 8. $585 million has been allocated to modernize public schools, including Hart MS, Hendley ES, Simon ES, Ketcham ES, Excel Academy, King ES, Green ES, and Leckie ES. $12 million is going toward modernizing the Douglass Recreation Center. Another $25 million is being allotted to build a new full-service Parklands-Turner Library; and, $750,000 to build a new boxing annex at Ferebee Hope Rec Center.

Councilmember Trayon White, Sr., always emphasizes the critical importance of prioritizing education in the budget allocation process. Councilmember White believes that quality education and mental health care for students must remain at the forefront of decision-making to ensure the well-being and academic success of every child in the District of Columbia. "Education is the cornerstone of our society, and investing in our students is an investment in the future of our community," stated Councilmember White. "We cannot afford to compromise on providing our children with the resources and support they need to thrive academically, emotionally, and socially."

Happening this week at DC Public Library

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide

Tuesday, April 9 at 11:00 AM

Anacostia Neighborhood Library

Adult Seniors
 

Peer Outreach Specialist

Tuesday, April 09: 9:45am - 5:30pm

Anacostia Neighborhood Library - Study Room 4 (2 Person Max Capacity)

AGE GROUP:   ADULTS

EVENT TYPE:  KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Free Walk-In Legal Services 

Tuesday, April 09: 10:00am - 12:00pm

Anacostia Neighborhood Library

AGE GROUP:   ADULTS

EVENT TYPE:  LEGAL CLINIC

Meet with a lawyer from the Neighborhood Legal Services Program. No appointment necessary. First-come-first-served

Preschool Story Time

Tuesday, April 09: 10:30am - 11:00am

 Parklands-Turner Neighborhood Library

AGE GROUP:   BIRTH - 5

EVENT TYPE:  STORY TIME

Come to hear stories, sing songs, and move with us at Parklands-Turner! For ages 3 to 5

Silver Screening - Film Series at TechExpress

Tuesday, April 09: 3:00pm - 5:00pm

 Arthur Capper TechExpress

AGE GROUP:   SENIORS  ADULTS

EVENT TYPE:  FILM

Come enjoy a movie with us!

Pajama Story Time

Tuesday, April 09: 5:30pm - 6:00pm

 Bellevue (William O. Lockridge) Neighborhood Library

AGE GROUP:   BIRTH - 5

EVENT TYPE:  STORY TIME, FAMILY PROGRAM, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

These 30–40-minute evening programs are designed to delight children of all ages and their grown-ups. Pajamas are encouraged but not required!

Make and Take Art

Wednesday, April 10: All Day

 Bellevue (William O. Lockridge) Neighborhood Library

AGE GROUP:   5 - 12 YEARS OLD

EVENT TYPE:  FAMILY PROGRAM, ARTS & CRAFTS

Join Us at Bellevue (William O. Lockridge) Neighborhood Library for a weekly craft experience. Create at home or in the library!

Free Walk-in Legal Clinic

Wednesday, April 10: 11:00am - 1:00pm

 Parklands-Turner Neighborhood Library

AGE GROUP:   ADULTS

EVENT TYPE:  LEGAL CLINIC

Meet with a lawyer from Neighborhood Legal Services Program. No appointment necessary. First-come first-served.

Email Troubleshooting

Wednesday, April 10: 12:00pm - 3:00pm

 Anacostia Neighborhood Library

AGE GROUP:   SENIORS  ADULTS

EVENT TYPE:  COMPUTER CLASS

Help with any email concerns, from 2 Step Authorizations to attaching a file. I also help with setting up a new email, how to send an email, and resetting passwords.

Job/Resume Clinic - Job/Resume

Wednesday, April 10: 3:00pm - 4:00pm

 Bellevue (William O. Lockridge) Neighborhood Library - Conference Room B (6-12 Person Capacity)

AGE GROUP:   SENIORS  ADULTS  13 - 19 YEARS OLD (TEENS)

EVENT TYPE:  JOB READINESS CLINIC

Job Seekers/Resume provides help to create your résumé, apply for posted jobs, research in demand careers, and find occupational training opportunities that meet your needs.
 

Sit and Stitch

Wednesday, April 10: 3:00pm - 4:00pm

 Anacostia Neighborhood Library - Meeting Room 2 (8-16 Person Capacity)

AGE GROUP:   SENIORS  ADULTS

EVENT TYPE:  ARTS & CRAFTS

Unleash your inner crafting pro at the library!
 

Teen Time

Wednesday, April 10: 4:30pm - 6:00pm

 Bellevue (William O. Lockridge) Neighborhood Library

AGE GROUP:   13 - 19 YEARS OLD (TEENS)

EVENT TYPE:  GAMING, FILM, ARTS & CRAFTS

Come out to the library to engage in different activities with peers. Movie night... Game night... and more! Also enjoy the resources of the library!

DC Jail Video Visitation

Thursday, April 11: 2:00pm - 5:00pm

 Anacostia Neighborhood Library - Meeting Room 1 (2-6 Person Capacity)

AGE GROUP:   ADULTS

EVENT TYPE:  KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

DCPL partners with DC Department of Correction to bring a Video Visitation program.

TechHelp

Thursday, April 11: 3:00pm - 4:00pm

 Bellevue (William O. Lockridge) Neighborhood Library

AGE GROUP:   SENIORS  ADULTS  13 - 19 YEARS OLD (TEENS)

EVENT TYPE:  COMPUTER CLASS, AGE-FRIENDLY DC

Onsite Technical Support for Customers

Lego Lab - What Will You Build?

Thursday, April 11: 4:00pm - 5:00pm

 Anacostia Neighborhood Library

AGE GROUP:   BIRTH - 5  5 - 12 YEARS OLD

EVENT TYPE:  STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING & MATH), FAMILY PROGRAM

Come play with Legos and other building materials. Kids ages 5-12 are invited to make and build at this open play time. 
 

Chess for all Ages -

Thursday, April 11: 4:30pm - 6:00pm

 Parklands-Turner Neighborhood Library

AGE GROUP:   SENIORS  ADULTS  5 - 12 YEARS OLD  13 - 19 YEARS OLD (TEENS)

EVENT TYPE:  CHESS CLUB

Come play and learn from others in a friendly game of chess.

Learn Chess at Bellevue

Thursday, April 11: 6:30pm - 7:30pm

 Bellevue (William O. Lockridge) Neighborhood Library

AGE GROUP:   SENIORS  ADULTS  5 - 12 YEARS OLD  13 - 19 YEARS OLD (TEENS)

EVENT TYPE:  CHESS CLUB

Bellevue Library invites you to join us in learning Chess.

Walk-in Tutoring

Saturday, April 13: 10:00am - 12:00pm

 Parklands-Turner Neighborhood Library

AGE GROUP:   5 - 12 YEARS OLD  13 - 19 YEARS OLD (TEENS)

EVENT TYPE:  EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

Free drop-in tutoring service for grades Kindergarten through 12 in all subjects provided by a former DCPS teacher.

Coffee & Conversation - A Conversation Circle

Saturday, April 13: 11:00am - 12:00pm

 Bellevue (William O. Lockridge) Neighborhood Library - Conference Room B (6-12 Person Capacity)

AGE GROUP:   ADULTS

EVENT TYPE:  CONVERSATION CIRCLE

Customers are invited to join a casual conversation with other library customers and individuals from the neighborhood. Coffee provided.

Councilmember White and his staff were among hundreds of eager spectators who waited in anticipation for a rare phenomenon known as a solar eclipse. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, partially or completely obscuring the sun from view. 

The eclipse happens only every few years. The last eclipse took place seven years ago, and the next one is estimated to occur in twenty years. As the eclipse unfolded, it brought together a diverse community of onlookers who stood at Freedom Plaza on Pennsylvania Avenue NW. The sight of hundreds of people gazing upwards in awe at the eclipse display was as breathtaking as the eclipse itself.

Councilmember Trayon White and his constituent services team hit the ground running, walking through Highland Dwellings alongside Chief Reese of the DC Housing Authority (DCHA). Together, the goal is to ensure a safe summer for everyone in the community with a proactive summer safety initiative.

Councilmember Trayon White joined city officials and stakeholders for a Ribbon Cutting Celebration for DC Health in Anacostia. This event marks a significant milestone in enhancing access to essential health services for residents living East of the River. By strategically locating DC Health in Ward 8, we're breaking down barriers and ensuring equitable opportunities for health and wellness services. The proximity to various essential services creates a centralized hub for residents to access multiple resources easily and efficiently.

This marks an exciting new chapter in our collective journey towards better health and wellness for all. We're eager to collaborate with DC Health and continue working together to bring resources East of the River.

April 4, 2024

Councilmember White has taken a commendable step by calling a meeting to learn directly from those immersed in the public safety arena.

Violence interruption isn’t just about stopping conflicts; it’s about addressing root causes, providing support, and offering pathways to healing and reconciliation. By engaging with those on the front lines, we can better understand their challenges and find ways to uplift and support their efforts.

April 9, 2024

Constituent Services Specialist Louise Thorne visited the Anacostia Playhouse this week, located at 2020 Shannon Place SE, Washington, DC 20020.

This vibrant venue operates as both a rental facility and a producing organization dedicated to nurturing small and emerging artists and performance groups by offering below-market-rate space and patrons with affordable ticket prices.

For more details, feel free to contact the Anacostia Playhouse at (202) 290-2328.