Dear Ward 8 Residents,

We have some exciting news for youth. Starting Monday, January 27th, applications for the 2025 Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP) will go live. 

Through MBSYEP, young people ages 14-24 can gain occupational skills, real-world work experience, academic enrichment, and life skills training all designed to prepare them for success in the workplace.

This is an incredible opportunity for DC youth to have an exciting, productive summer while earning money. We encourage the young people in your life to apply starting Monday at http://summerjobs.dc.gov. Please spread the word and help our youth build a bright future

Stay safe, stay warm, and spread the word to help build a bright future for our youth.
 

In service, 

Trayon White, Sr.
Councilmember, Ward 8

• Verify that the charity is real. There are several independent online sources that you can use to verify that a charity is real, and not a scam, before making your donation:
  • IRS Select Check - https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/
  • BBB Wise Giving Alliance - http://www.give.org/
  • Charity Navigator - http://www.charitynavigator.org/
  • GuideStar - https://www.guidestar.org/
  • National Center for Charitable Statistics - http://www.nccs.urban.org/
  • U.S. Department of Defense; Military Support Organizations - https://www.defense.gov/Resources/Military-Support-Organizations/
     
• Confirm the charity is licensed. Companies or individuals asking for charitable donations in the District of Columbia are required to obtain a license from the District of Columbia government.  For District charities, you can contact the District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), Corporations Division, at (202) 442-4432, to verify the charity is licensed in the District of Columbia, or look online at https://corponline.dcra.dc.gov/Home.aspx. For charitable organizations outside of the District, contact the appropriate state charity official, https://www.nasconet.org/resources/state-government/.
   
• Request written information before donating. Ask the charity for written information on the organization’s mission, how your donation will be used, and for verification that your contribution is tax deductible. Find out what percentage of your donation goes to the charity’s mission. Be cautious of any charity that asks for your personal identifying information, such as your social security number, full banking information, or requests access to your computer. Also make sure that the charity has a secure, or encrypted way to share your financial information.
   

• The charity refuses to send you written material describing the charity or how it intends to use your donation.
   
• The charity asks for your donation via a money order, wire transfer, cash, or other non-refundable payment method.
   
• The charity requires your donation immediately, or pressures you into making an immediate transfer of money.
   
• The charity will only accept a recurring donation, or will only accept a donation if you leave your payment information “on file.”
   
• The charity’s name and logo closely resemble another charity. Scam artists often try to take advantage of names that sound or look like those of respected, legitimate charities.
   

• Make your donation to people or organizations that you know and trust or to whom you have successfully made donations in the past.
   
• Be cautious about giving money over the phone or to a door-to-door solicitor. Ask the caller or solicitor for written information to verify their identity and purpose. You can also contact the charity directly to verify that the person is acting on behalf of the organization before transferring money.
   
• Be cautious about making donations through non-refundable payment methods. Instead make donations by check or credit card (or other refundable payment methods) and ask for written confirmation of your donation from the charity. This will help protect your security and provide records for tax purposes.
   
• Verify that donation requests for organizations that say they support the police, firefighters, or veterans are real. Scammers may try to take advantage of public support by using the words “police,” “veterans,” or other law enforcement or military names in their requests.
   
• When donating in response to natural disasters or national tragedies, give through well-established charities. Scammers often form charities after such events or use similar sounding names/logos to well-established charities.
   
• Be careful before giving donations through peer-to-peer or social networking websites, as it is difficult to verify that your donation will be properly used.
   
• Some charities sell merchandise and claim that “100% of the proceeds” will go to charitable uses. Be aware that this may not necessarily mean that 100% of the sales price will be used for charity.
   

• Call the OAG Consumer Hotline at 202.442.9828.
• Send an email to [email protected]
• Submit a consumer complaint online at https://oag.dc.gov/consumer-protection