December 9, 2022
Dear Washingtonians,
This week, we marked the end of an era at RFK Stadium with the ceremonial removal of the last orange seats. I, like a lot of Washingtonians, have many good memories of RFK — memories of watching Doug Williams lead the team to a Super Bowl championship and watching baseball games with friends. Of course, even when the stadium itself is gone, we still have all those memories.
We also have an exciting opportunity to deliver a campus that better meets the needs of our community and better represents the legacy of Senator Robert F. Kennedy. In fact, yesterday, as we stood on the field, in the middle of a now run-down and dilapidated stadium, there was a sense of hope about the future and we were reminded of what Senator Kennedy once said: Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.
We know that the path forward for the RFK campus is complex. But we also know that the 190-acre campus holds so much potential and so much opportunity for DC residents. The Fields at RFK have given us a glimpse into what is possible. We also look forward to building and opening a world-class sports complex on the campus, which I funded in the most recent budget. And there is so much more potential to activate the space, to create jobs and opportunity, to connect our waterfront, and to make the campus a major destination for Washington, DC and the region.
So, as I said yesterday: Goodbye, RFK. Hello, future — and the future is bright.
Sincerely,
 This week, Mayor Bowser and the Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) hosted the 24th Annual Senior Holiday Celebration and announced the expansion of the District’s Safe at Home program. Since 2016, the program has helped older adults live and age safely in their homes by funding modifications that reduce risks of falls—such as installing grab bars, hand railings, stair lifts, and bathtub cut outs.
Starting January 2023, Safe at Home 2.0 will allow participants to voluntarily receive vision screenings, medication management, and evidence-based balance and strength training classes through Home Care Partners and American University.
Learn more HERE.
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 On Saturday, December 10, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., join the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) and My School DC at the 2022 Virtual EdFEST, the District’s annual public school fair. Now in its ninth year, EdFEST returns virtually to provide a one-stop shop for families to learn more about the District’s public school options.
The easy-to-use virtual platform will be familiar to the students and families who attended the event last year. Using an internet-connected device, students and families can log in and explore the city’s many public school options (PK3–Grade 12), get their questions answered directly by school representatives via video or chat, and learn about the public school lottery.
Language interpretation support is also free and provided in Spanish (Español), Amharic (አማርኛ፤), French (Français), Chinese (中文), Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt), and American Sign Language (ASL). Registration is required.
For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/virtualedfest.
Following EdFEST, the My School DC common lottery will open on Monday, December 12. The lottery makes it easier for families to take advantage of DC's excellent public and public charter school options. Application deadlines are February 1, 2023 for grades 9-12 and March 1, 2023 for pre-K 3–grade 8.
To learn more and apply, visit myschooldc.org.
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 During the “Home for the Holidays” campaign, the Department of Human Services (DHS) is working with community partners to connect 900 families and individuals experiencing homelessness to permanent housing.
DHS manages the Home for the Holidays campaign, which spans from November 21 through February 28. Home for the Holidays first launched in 2017, and more than 2,000 total households have moved into permanent housing as a result of the campaign. Through this campaign, the District is seeking to partner with local housing providers to identify approximately 2,500 new apartment units in the next three months. Community members can also support Home for the Holidays by donating new and gently used houseware to households.
Housing providers who are interested in partnering with the District, or residents who have items to donate, should email [email protected] for more details.
To learn more about the Home for Holidays campaign, visit dhs.dc.gov/page/home-holidays.
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