See updates from Councilmember McDuffie and our Team

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Neighbors,

As we prepare to enter budget season at the Council and in the D.C. government, I want to once again extend the opportunity for Ward 5 residents to weigh in and share their budget priorities with me. Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey, by clicking here ([link removed]) . I greatly appreciate your feedback. Hard copies are also available at the Woodbridge Library.

Like other wards across the District, Ward 5 has seen exponential growth over the years and it's time we examine what this means for redistricting and establishing how the boundaries should be redrawn for our single member districts. Ward 5 ANC redistricting meetings are underway, and the redistricting task force will take charge of examining the population growth of our Ward as well as submitting a report to the Council's subcommittee on redistricting. For more information about upcoming meetings, view member of the task force and view current Ward 5 ANC/SMD boundaries, click here ([link removed]) .

I encourage you all to stay vigilant in your efforts to keep yourselves and your loved ones safe by getting tested, vaccinated, and boosted. In case you missed it, the United States Postal Service (USPS) is now offering free, at-home rapid COVID-19 tests. You can place your order for a set of four tests today ([link removed]) .

In Service,

Kenyan
#OurWard5
In this issue of the Ward 5 Report:
* Celebrating CORE's One-Year Anniversary (#01)
* Kenyan in the News (#02)
* Kenyan in the Community (#03)
* Councilmember McDuffie's Performance Oversight Hearing Schedule (#04)
* Testing and Vaccination Updates (#05)
* DC Public Schools (DCPS) COVID-19 Screening Expansion (#06)
* Small Business Spotlight: Grant Opportunities (#07)
* Expedited Medical Cannabis Patient Registration Event (#08)


** Councilmember McDuffie Reflects on the One-Year Anniversary of the Council Office of Racial Equity (CORE)
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** Kenyan in the News
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Last Tuesday, January 13, 2022, Councilmember McDuffie joined Mayor Muriel Bowser for the launch of the 'Strong Families, Strong Futures DC' Direct Cash Assistance Program at Martha's Table. This program is a result of the Councilmember's investment in Guaranteed Income for underserved families in the District.

See some of the places Councilmember McDuffie's Guaranteed Income pilot program was mentioned in the news:
* D.C. to give $900 a month in cash to new moms in 3 wards (The Washington Post ([link removed]) )
* D.C. Launches $1.5M Payout Program for 132 Expectant and New Mothers (The Washington Informer ([link removed]) )
* D.C. Launches Pilot Program To Give Cash To New Parents And Pregnant People — With No Strings Attached (The ([link removed]) DCist ([link removed]) )
* DC deposits $900 into new mothers' bank accounts to combat poverty (WTOP ([link removed]) )

Watch Councilmember McDuffie's statement from the momentous event below.

[link removed]


** Kenyan in the Community
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Ahead of MLK Day, Councilmember McDuffie joined an esteemed group of panelists across sectors of government, finance, development and tech for The Talk Before The Walk: Conversation on Economic Justice, hosted by the Culture Caucus ([link removed]) . The discussion examined ways to ensure equity and ownership while preserving Black-owned and small businesses across the District.

Click here ([link removed]) to rewatch the conversation.


** Councilmember McDuffie's Performance Oversight Hearing Schedule
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Join Councilmember McDuffie and make your voices heard during upcoming oversight hearings in the months of February and March. Register to testify or submit written remarks to Committee on Business and Economic Development (CBED) at [email protected].


** Testing and Vaccination Updates
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In case you missed it, the District's vaccine mandate went into effect last Saturday, January 15, 2022, at 6:00 am. Individuals 12 and older will be required to show proof of at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and everyone 18 and older will also be required to show identification that matches their proof of vaccination.

Full vaccination status for individuals 12 and older will be required starting Tuesday, February 15, 2022.

Acceptable types of proof of vaccination includes:
* A physical Center for Disease Control (CDC) Vaccination Card
* A digital copy/photo of a CDC Vaccination Card
* A COVID-19 Verification App such as VaxYes or CLEAR

Signage for businesses to notify patrons of the indoor vaccine mandate in their storefronts is available for free download.

To download business signs, click here.

District seniors (65+) can now pick up free rapid tests from senior wellness centers, including two locations in Ward 5:
1. Model Cities Senior Wellness Center (1901 Evans St. NE) - Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 1:00pm - 3:00pm
2. Hayes Senior Wellness Center (500 K St. NE) - Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Additionally, new COVID Centers opened this week offering residents the option to get tested, vaccinated, and boosted all in one place with longer operating hours. COVID Centers in Wards 1, 2, 7, and 8 are currently open from 1:00 pm until 8:00 pm. COVID Centers in Wards 3, 4, 5 and 6 will open next Monday, January 24, 2022.

Click here ([link removed]) for more information on District COVID Centers.


** DC Public Schools (DCPS) COVID-19 Screening Expansion
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Last week, DCPS announced the expansion of its testing plans for students, including targeted early childhood weekly testing and routine asymptomatic testing.


** Small Business Spotlight: Grant Opportunities
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1. COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant Program ([link removed])

The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) announced today that it's $40 million COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant Program will launch next Monday, January 24, 2022. Awarded funds from this grant program will now be available for use extending beyond outstanding rent and also applies to payroll and labor, inventory, and operating expenses (i.e., utilities, insurance, and PPE) incurred from the ongoing Public Health Emergency.

This enhancement in funding was made possible through an amendment presented by Councilmember McDuffie and unanimously approved by the Council after hearing a resounding message from small businesses that revenue declines borne by the COVID-19 pandemic left them needing financial assistance beyond rent.

For more information and updates on the upcoming launch of this program, visit www.obviouslydc.com ([link removed]) .

2. Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Great Streets Retail Small Business Grant - Application Extension ([link removed])

The FY22 Great Streets Retail Small Business Grants application period has been extended through Monday, January 31, 2022. The purpose of the grant is to support existing small businesses, attract new businesses, and transform designated commercial corridors into thriving and inviting neighborhood centers.

For more information or to ask questions, contact [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

Click here ([link removed]) to apply.

3. Events DC Community Grant Program ([link removed])

The Events DC Community Grant Program provides financial support to qualifying non-profit organizations dedicated to supporting youth sports, cultural or performing arts in D.C . Funding for fiscal year 2022 (FY22) is $500,000 ($250,000 per cycle). Applications are being accepted now through February 1, 2022.

Click here ([link removed]) to register for an upcoming information session and to apply.

4. Women of Color Grant Program ([link removed])

Fearless Fund and The Tory Burch Foundation, along with The Cur, are currently accepting applications for their Women of Color Grant Program. This program awards up to 150 deserving small business $10,000 - $20,000 in addition to access to a peer network dedicated to business growth and development.

Applications are due by Wednesday, February 9, 2022 for a chance to be selected for the grant and awarded an annual membership to The Cru. See Official Rules ([link removed]) for full details, including entry qualification details and expectations if selected for the program.

For more information and to apply, click here ([link removed]) .

5. Uber Eats & Visa – Grants for Growth ([link removed])

Uber Eats and Visa are introducing Grants for Growth, a new grant program that provides $1 million in grants to small businesses that have been impacted by COVID, hurricanes, natural disasters and other unexpected events. Through the program, they provide $10,000 grants to 100 Uber Eats member restaurants in need in ten key markets: Boston, Philadelphia, Bay Area, NYC Metro/New Jersey, Los Angeles, Miami, Washington DC, Chicago, Atlanta and Detroit. Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC ([link removed]) ) will administer the selection and distribution of grants.

Applications are due by Monday, January 24, 2022, at 11:50 pm Eastern Standard Time. For more information and to apply, click here ([link removed]) .

6. Food Waste Innovation Grants ([link removed])

The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD ([link removed]) ) is still accepting applications for the first round of Food Waste Innovation Grants. These grants will provide support for restaurants, food manufacturers, shared commercial kitchens, and commercial corridors like Main Streets, to minimize food waste.

Applications are open through Monday, January, 31, 2022 at 2:00 pm. For more information or to ask questions, contact [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

Click here ([link removed]) to apply.

[link removed]


** Expedited Medical Cannabis Patient Registration Event
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The Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA ([link removed]) ) will host a weekend patient and caregiver registration event to ensure ensure District residents are able to readily purchase medical cannabis as recommended by their healthcare provider. This event will be held at ABRA's office on Saturday, January 29, 2022, from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. Qualifying applicants will be issued a two year registration at no cost.

Additionally, Turnaround Thursdays will continue to take place every Thursday from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm through April 28, 2022. At each event, DC residents who submit a complete patient or caregiver application ([link removed]) will receive a digital and physical registration during their visit. Registrations issued at each event may start to be used at any of DC’s seven (7) licensed dispensaries ([link removed]) starting at 6:00 pm on the date of issuance.

For more information and to register, click here ([link removed]) .


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