May 10, 2024
Dear Washingtonians,
It's Public Service Recognition Week, and I want to thank the 37,000 public servants at DC Government who are in the community 24 hours a day, seven days a week — moving our city forward and helping us build a safer, stronger DC.
They keep our city clean and green.
 They keep us safe and healthy.
 They love and challenge our young people in schools across all eight wards.
 DC Government is made up of dedicated and talented people who love DC and who make the District a better place to live, work, and play. So, to our team at DC Government: thank you for your service.
Sincerely,
 View photos from this week on Facebook.
Our annual event for seniors is almost here!
Senior Fest is an opportunity for residents to come together, connect with resources, and have fun. Join us this year:
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When: Wednesday, May 29 @ 10:00 a.m.
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Where: University of the District of Columbia Van Ness Campus (4200 Connecticut Ave NW)
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Register at seniorfest24.splashthat.com
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 Registration for the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) 2024 Summer Programs will begin on Tuesday, May 14 for aquatics programs and Wednesday, May 15 for all other programs. Registration opens at noon on both days.
Summer DPR Programs will include:
- Aquatics programs, including summer swim league, senior swim team and senior aquatics, learn-to-swim, and youth water polo.
- Cultural arts programs such as drawing and painting, piano, and hip-hop dance.
- Sports such as gymnastics, kickball, tennis, futsal, soccer, and intro to lacrosse.
- Fitness classes like spin, cardio kick, bootcamp, tai chi, yoga, Zumba, and more.
Registration for summer programming is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and DPR will utilize a virtual “waiting room” on both program registration days in order to manage the high demand for programs. Residents are encouraged to create an account online with DPR’s registration system in advance to save time once program registration opens. Create an account at dpr.dc.gov/DPRaccount.
DPR offers programming at reduced rates to qualifying DC residents. Complete the online reduced rates application here. Residents must be approved for reduced rates by DPR before registering for programs.
For more information and to view a complete list of DPR programs, visit DPRprograms.com.
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 Thank you to hundreds of residents, stakeholders, community members, businesses, and others who came to the Gallery Place-Chinatown Public Open House on May 4, when the Task Force revealed “8 Big Ideas” for the community to provide their feedback.
This process starts with a vision. Downtown DC must remain vibrant and thriving, because a strong Downtown means a strong DC, and a strong DC means a strong DMV. We continue to focus on safety, as well as attracting visitors through short-term activations and events. Ultimately, we intend to execute on a vision that makes the connections to bring people from the Mall into Gallery Place-Chinatown, to connect opportunities all along 7th Street and 8th Street, while also creating new opportunities for people to live and work here.
If you missed Saturday’s meeting, you can watch the video of the full presentation HERE and read through the “8 Big Ideas” for Gallery Place-Chinatown HERE.
Most importantly, we want to hear from you. You can provide your feedback online HERE.
Stay up to date on everything happening with the Task Force by visiting bedowntown.dc.gov/GPCtaskforce.
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 May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we want to remind residents that there are confidential resources available if you or someone you know needs help.
You are not alone.
- Call 988 if you or someone else is experiencing a mental health, substance use, or suicidal crisis.
- Call the District’s Mental Health Hotline 24/7 at 1-888-793-4357 to speak with a behavioral health professional and get help solving a problem or to learn more about resources available to you.
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