Share a Few Hours with a Youth

National Mentoring Month is celebrated each January to highlight the importance of mentorship. The month also acknowledges those who commit time to assist young people and recognizes how mentoring positively impacts the lives of so many. Finally, January is also a time to raise awareness around the need to increase the number of committed volunteers as mentors.

I often receive texts, emails and calls from parents who wish for me to be a mentor for their children. And, while I wish I had the capacity to mentor each of them; unfortunately, it’s just impossible to do so for all of them, as much as I would like.

What we need are men and women who have the capacity to dedicate a few hours per month to get involved in one young person’s life. We can do this, one student at a time.

There are ways that you can get engaged in mentoring. When I reference “you,” that includes nonprofit organizations, corporations, businesses, elected officials, and individuals. Indeed, you can be a positive force in the lives of students by doing the following:

1. Sign up to become a mentor.
2. Support educational programs that train mentors.
3. Attend a mentor’s activity/event.
4. Thank a mentor.
5. Create a mentoring opportunity.
6. Engage in a school project.
7. Read to a student.
8. Listen to a student. I mean really listen.

We can make a difference. "Don't Just Stand There. Do Something".

Peace and love,
Trayon White, Sr.
Councilmember, Ward 8


** National Mentoring Month ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

It’s National Mentoring Month! This January, join MENTOR in elevating the power of relationships by highlighting the benefits of mentoring, discussing best practices for supporting young people, and sharing inspiring stories from the field.

This National #MentoringMonth, reflect on the ways of helping support the next generation of leaders and change-makers. By connecting young people with caring adults, #MentoringAmplifies positive youth development - consider becoming a mentor today!

Click here ([link removed]) to learn more about National Mentoring Month and how to get involved.

Learn more about the upcoming National Mentoring Summit ([link removed]) that will take place on Wednesday, January 25 - Friday, January 27, 2023 at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, DC.
Mayor Muriel Bowser and Amber Hewitt, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Racial Equity (ORE), released the District’s first-ever Racial Equity Action Plan ([link removed]) , a three-year roadmap outlining actions that the District will take to close racial equity gaps and measure progress toward a more equitable DC.

Residents can provide feedback on the plan by accessing the online submission form. Deadline has been extended. See below for a list of locations to obtain a copy of the plan.
[link removed]
CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT COMMENT FORM ([link removed])
[link removed]


** Quick Links
------------------------------------------------------------
* Need a Test? Get a Test: Learn more about COVID-19 testing sites ([link removed])
* Check out the 2020 Ward 8 Progress Report ([link removed])
* Check out the 2021 Ward 8 Progress Report ([link removed])

Community Ward with Mayor Muriel Bowser
On January 5th, Councilmember White joined Mayor Muriel Bowser, local business owners, community leaders, and residents in a Ward 8 Community Walk. The walk started at the Big Chair, proceeded down Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and ended on Good Hope Road, SE.

Bard High School Ribbon Cutting

On January 5th, Mayor Muriel Bowser, Chancellor Lewis D. Ferebee, and Councilmember White cut the ribbon on the newly modernized Bard High School Early College (BHSEC).

In addition to receiving a high school diploma, Bard is a DCPS high school program that offers students an opportunity to earn up to 60 college credits and an associate degree.

[link removed]
CLICK TO WATCH

Barbering and Cosmetology Training Opportunity

Councilmember White joined Brother Marco Price Bey and Brother Joe as they launched a new cohort of Barber and Cosmetology training. They are looking for youth and young adults who want to be proactive about their future. They will help young people to obtain their licenses in barbering and cosmetology in DC. Interested youth DYRS committed and non-committed) between the ages of 18-24 should contact 202-576-8390 for additional information.
Department of Transportation (DDOT) Wheeler Road Safety Walk

DDOT organized and invited Councilmember White to a safety walk along Wheeler Road. The purpose of the January 6th walk was to provide updates on a recent Safety Improvement Site Visit.


Thou Shalt Not Kill Press Conference and Rally

The Anacostia Coordinating Council (ACC) organized a "Thou Shalt Not Killed" press conference and rally. On January 10th, stakeholders gathered at Busboys and Poets to support for this initiative. Councilmember White was among the supporters.

Three thousand signs will be made available and will be place in stores, restaurants, homes, and community buildings throughout the city.
Legislative Meeting
Upcoming Legislation News for Next Week

The District of Columbia Council’s next Committee of the Whole meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 17th. Next week, Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. will reintroduce the following bills for markup in Council Period 25 that had received hearings during Council Period 24:

The “Marion Barry Avenue Designation Act of 2023” which will designate Good Hope Road as Marion Barry Avenue. We are proud to have the support of every councilmember, as a co-introducer. The Chairman has not signed-on to co-introduce this legislation.

The “William O. Lockridge Memorial Auditorium Designation Act of 2023” will designate the Ballou Senior High School auditorium in Ward 8 as the William O. Lockridge Auditorium. At the time of this writing all but two councilmembers (who have yet to respond) are co-introducers.

*The “Davon T. McNeal Way Designation Act of 2023” will symbolically designate the street known as 1400 Cedar Street, SE as Davon T. McNeal, III Way.

*The “Pay Range Act of 2023” will establish requirements prohibiting employers from posting a job advertisement without including the minimum and maximum salary or hourly pay information.

*At the time of writing support from councilmembers is still being generated.
Performance/Budget Oversight Hearing Schedules

As the New Year kicks off, the Committee on Recreation, Libraries and Youth Affairs will begin its oversight hearings this month.

Oversight hearing season is broken down into two different types of hearings: performance oversight and budget oversight. Performance oversight focuses on the work of a government agency, while budget oversight will discuss the budget for a government agency.

Below is the schedule for performance oversight and budget oversight hearings:

Performance Oversight Hearing Schedule
Wednesday, January 25 2:00pm-6:00pm Mayor’s Office of African Affairs
Mayor’s Office of African American Affairs
Mayor’s Office of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs
Office of Fathers, Men and Boys
Wednesday, February 1 2:00pm-6:00pm DC Public Library
Monday, February 6 2:00pm-6:00pm Mayor’s Office of Latino Affairs
Mayor’s Office of Caribbean Affairs
Wednesday, February 8 2:00pm-6:00pm Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment
Wednesday, February 15 2:00pm-6:00pm Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services
Thursday, February 23 2:00pm-6:00pm Department of Parks and Recreation
Tuesday, February 28 12:00pm-4:00pm Serve DC

Budget Oversight Hearing Schedule
Tuesday, March 28 3:00pm-6:00pm Mayor’s Office of Latino Affairs
Mayor’s Office of Caribbean Affairs
Wednesday, March 29 3:00pm-6:00pm Serve DC
Friday, March 31 12:00pm-3:00pm Mayor’s Office of African Affairs
Mayor’s Office of African American Affairs
Mayor’s Office of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs
Office of Fathers, Men and Boys
Monday, April 3 3:00pm-6:00pm Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment
Friday, April 7 3:00pm-6:00pm Department of Parks and Recreation
Tuesday, April 11 3:00pm-6:00pm Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services
Thursday, April 13 3:00pm-6:00pm DC Public Library

Committee Markup
Wednesday, April 26 12:30pm-1:30pm Recreation, Libraries and Youth Affairs




D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser takes the oath of office from D.C. Court of Appeals Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby while Bowser’s family looks on. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer) D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser takes the oath of office from D.C. Court of Appeals Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby while Bowser’s family looks on. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer)

District elected officials ranging from Mayor Muriel Bowser to members of advisory neighborhood commissions took their oath of office Monday at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Northwest before an estimated crowd of 500.
Read Full Article ([link removed])


** D.C. Council Votes to Ratify Rules, Committee Makeup
------------------------------------------------------------
**FILE** The D.C. Council chamber at the John A. Wilson Building in D.C. (Courtesy of dccouncil.us) **FILE** The D.C. Council chamber at the John A. Wilson Building in D.C. (Courtesy of dccouncil.us)

The D.C. Council, in its first meeting of the year and of Council Period 25 on Jan. 3, voted on its rules and new committee composition, but not without a protest from D.C. Council member Vincent C. Gray (D-Ward 7).
Read Full Article ([link removed])


** Bard High School Early College DC Moves to Congress Heights
------------------------------------------------------------
D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Lewis D. Ferebee (third from left), D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (center), D.C. Department of General Services Director Keith A. Anderson (third from right) and D.C. Council member Trayon White (far right) cut the ribbon in celebration of Phase I of the newly modernized Bard High School Early College DC on Jan. 5. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer) D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Lewis D. Ferebee (third from left), D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (center), D.C. Department of General Services Director Keith A. Anderson (third from right) and D.C. Council member Trayon White (far right) cut the ribbon in celebration of Phase I of the newly modernized Bard High School Early College DC on Jan. 5. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)
Read Full Article ([link removed])
Hours of operation:
Monday - Friday from 9:00am - 5:30pm
CLOSED Saturday, Sunday & Holidays

Louise Thorne: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Constituent Services Specialist
DC Public Schools
DC Housing Authority
Department of Human Services
Utilities: PEPCO, DC Water, Washington Gas
Office of the State Superintendent of Education

Eric Cleckley: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Constituent Services Specialist
District Department of Transportation
Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
Department of Energy and Environment

For all other constituent services concerns, please contact Wanda Lockridge, Chief of Staff at [email protected].

============================================================
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Website ([link removed])

This email was sent to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
why did I get this? ([link removed]) unsubscribe from this list ([link removed]) update subscription preferences ([link removed])
Council of the District of Columbia . 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW . Suite 400 . Washington, DC 20004 . USA