September 23, 2022
Dear Washingtonians,
Earlier this week, we launched Career MAP, a new pilot program to support families exiting the homeless services system. I am incredibly proud of the progress we have made in driving down family homelessness ? since 2016, family homelessness is down 78%.?But as we always say: there is more work to do.?With the Career MAP program, we are sending families a simple message: we believe in you and we?ve got your back.
The Career MAP program is designed to help the vast majority of families in our homeless services systems who don't need permanent vouchers,?but who do need more time and more support to get back on their feet. It also addresses the benefits cliff. For people who are enrolled in benefits or who understand how benefits work, you know that a lot of people get stuck in an unfortunate situation where they have to choose between advancing their career and making more money or?keeping their benefits. While we can?t change the federal rules around eligibility for benefits, we can create new programs that fill in the gaps. And that is what we are doing with Career MAP.?
Through Career MAP, the District will provide up to $10,000 in cash assistance to families who lose their benefits because their income increases. We will?also provide career support, enroll children in programming, and help families build a savings account. While the program is still a pilot, it is a pilot I am excited about because I think it is going to change the lives of parents and children.?Three hundred families have already signed up for the pilot, and this week, I announced that an additional 300 families will be enrolled in 2023.
Learn more about Career MAP HERE. Let's keep working together to make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring.
Sincerely,
 This week, Mayor Bowser honored the District?s oldest centenarian, Ms. Willie Mae Avery. A District resident since 1937, Ms. Avery has witnessed so many positive changes in DC throughout her lifetime. She has shown us all what progress looks like and how progress is achieved.?
All week long, the Department of Aging and Community Living has been delivering honorary gift packages to the homes of District centenarians, simply because they?ve earned it. We'd like to thank Lee's Flower Shop and our volunteers for making this experience so special.?
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 Art All Night,?the District?s annual overnight arts festival, starts tonight with activations in all eight wards. Join your favorite artists and local businesses and discover new ones as we come together to celebrate the District of Columbia.
Find the locations of activations, spread out across 22 neighborhoods, HERE. And follow?@adcartallnight?on Twitter to stay in the loop about this year's events and how you can support local artists and creatives.
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 This weekend, come out and celebrate 50 years of Fiesta DC! This year, Fiesta DC is highlighting Guatemalan culture. The festival, taking place on Saturday, September 24, kicks off at 11:00 a.m. on Pennsylvania Avenue between 9th and 14th Streets NW, beginning at the U.S. Navy Memorial Plaza and extending to Freedom Plaza.
On Sunday, September 25, residents are encouraged to walk with Mayor Bowser in the 2022 Fiesta DC Parade!?This annual celebration of Latino culture will feature a Parade of Nations, dance troupes, local civic organizations, schools, and performers.
Residents interested in participating in the parade, please visit?tinyurl.com/DCFiestaParade.?
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 Still looking for afterschool programs? The DC Department of Parks and Recreation has slots available in Afternoon Access and Enrichment Zone programming for youth ages 6-12 at recreation centers across DC. Activities include homework help, arts and crafts, recreation, and weekend field trips.
Sign up at DPRprograms.com.
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 Please join Mayor Muriel Bowser and special guests as we honor the legacy of Barry Farm and celebrate the groundbreaking of The Asberry, a senior housing community in Southeast. The event will also be a community celebration with music, vendors, and a catered lunch.
Residents interested in attending should RSVP at tinyurl.com/BarryFarmTheAsberry.?
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