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February 22, 2021 - Issue 152
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NEWS & EVENTS AROUND THE REGION
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COVID Vaccinations
See information on COVID-19 vaccinations, and a link to pre-register those 75 and older on the county's website:
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Free COVID Tests
Do you need a COVID-19 test? Visit the County's website for information about upcoming testing clinics and to make an appointment. Click here.
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Food Access Survey
The Food Council has launched a short 8-question COVID-19 Community Food Access survey seeking input from residents to guide Montgomery County food security initiatives in 2021. The survey is currently available in English and Spanish, and will be available in French, Amharic and Mandarin in the coming weeks. Click here for more information.
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Black History Month
The City of Gaithersburg will celebrate and honor Black History Month with virtual storytime programs, theater performances, and an official proclamation. READ MORE>>>
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Free Online Workshops
for Job Seekers
Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) is offering free online workshops and one-on-one sessions geared toward assisting job seekers and entrepreneurs throughout February. All workshops are free and offered virtually.
An internet connection and a device (such as a smartphone, tablet or computer) are required for participation.
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Mobile Markets at MC Campuses
The Mobile Food Market offers fresh produce and other foods at no cost to Montgomery College students, faculty/staff, and the community. READ MORE>>>
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Renters: Avoid Eviction
Concerned renters can get help in avoiding eviction here.
Renters who receive a court notice are encouraged to contact Maryland Legal Aid (240-314-0373) and be sure to attend court, as lawyers are scheduled to be available to support renters.
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Lifelong Learning Courses
Zoom classes in real-time! Over 40 new classes are being offered in Winter/Spring 2021. Click here for registration information.
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ESOL Classes for Adults
Find an online ESOL class from MCAEL here.
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Vietnamese American Services
Senior club, job development, English classes, and more. Click here.
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Let's Play America
The Takoma Park based nonprofit Let's Play America (LPA) offers a Play Day Handbook that provides a step by step guide to organize a safe play day for your community. To order the handbook, visit the LPA website.
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LEDC Small Business Directory
It's now easier than ever to shop from LEDC-supported small, minority-owned businesses in DC, MD, and NoVA. Check it out here.
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Maryland Community Needs Survey
Ensure your local community needs are included in the Maryland State Service Plan by taking this 11-minute survey. Click here.
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Senior Planet Montgomery
Senior Planet Montgomery offers virtual programs to help seniors learn new skills, save money, get in shape and make new friends. Visit their website or call 240-753-0676.
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Stay Home and Learn
Nonprofit Learning Lab is offering daily online trainings as a resource for nonprofits who are responding to the evolving changes and needs in their community and within their organizations as a result of COVID. Click here for more information.
Empowered Women International and LEDC present free webinars in English and Spanish. Click here for information.
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OCP WELCOMES NEW STAFF MEMBERS
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Julien Labiche -- Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center Program Manager 
Julien immigrated to the U.S. from France in 2006. He holds degrees in English and French as a Second Language. He taught middle and high schools in Southern France, then taught French upon moving to the U.S.
In 2009 he joined Liberty's Promise, a nonprofit organization serving low-income immigrant youth in the D.C. area. More specifically, Julien led civic engagement and professional internship programs at John F. Kennedy and Gaithersburg High Schools in Montgomery County. Julien worked with more than 900 low-income immigrant youth in the county to promote civic participation and increase youth access to educational and professional opportunities. He directly assisted youth in earning more than $1 million in scholarships for higher education. Additionally, Julien organized a Gaithersburg youth job fair and led a youth employment program in Gaithersburg. Later, as the Director of Montgomery and Prince George's County Programs at Liberty's Promise, he oversaw operations for 14 programs in suburban Maryland.
A proud Montgomery County resident, Julien has lived in Silver Spring since 2008. He joined the Office of Community Partnerships in 2021.
Rodrique Vital -- Caribbean Liaison
After spending six years developing and managing the State of Maryland's New American Workforce Program housed at the Department of Labor Licensing & Regulations, Rodrigue Vital has joined the Office of Community Partnerships (OCP), to support its mission of strengthening relationships between the government of Montgomery County and the diverse residents it serves.
Rodrigue will utilize his community engagement and policy development skills to help coalesce and support the Caribbean American community in the county, as he did while directing the New American Workforce Program that sought to accelerate the socioeconomic integration of all immigrants in Maryland.
Hailed from the Caribbean island of Haiti, Rodrigue studied journalism in Berlin, Germany, before he completed graduate studies in International Affairs and Public Policy at Georgetown University. The author of one book and dozens of articles published in both Haiti and the U.S, Rodrigue has been a Montgomery County resident for over 30 years.
Dr. Amena Johnson -- LGBTQ Community Liaison
Dr. Amena Johnson has a deep commitment to social justice, diversity and inclusion, advocacy, and educational equity. This passion began at the age of 5 on a ride with her grandfather to take people to the polls to vote in her hometown of Appomattox, VA.
Amena has 13 years of experience working in organizations with a focus on outreach and engagement to the LGBTQ Community. She has done this work at Prince George's County Department of Social Services, George Mason University, Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders (SMYAL) and Georgetown University.
Dr. Johnson specializes in training, facilitation, and curriculum development. For 20 years she has engaged communities in dialogue and learning around: urban bias, intersectionality, the intergenerational workplace, LGBTQ topics, and diversity and inclusion in educational and nonprofit organizations. Dr. Johnson received a BFA in Drama Therapy from Longwood University. She received an MS in Organizational Leadership and Ed,D in Higher Education Leadership from Wilmington University.
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GILCHRIST IMMIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER
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 Registration for English, Citizenship, and Basic Computer Classes!
Online registration for the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center's free and low-cost online classes will begin soon. Learn basic computer skills, practice your English, or prepare for the citizenship exam with us!
Registration for our Winter classes will begin in early February and classes are likely to fill quickly! Please call us at
240-777-4940 if you would like to be notified in advance about new class registration dates. Check out our website to register for classes.
Remember, don't delay - space is very limited. If we are unable to accommodate you in our classes, we will do our best to help you find an alternative.
We also can connect you with many other county resources related to health care, food assistance, and more - in any language. Please call us at 240-777-4940, Monday - Friday, 9 am - 5 pm.
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Workshops and Info Sessions
> Free Citizenship Application Consultations by APALRC
Due to concerns about the coronavirus, the Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center is not scheduling any citizenship application workshops currently. However, APALRC has access to a safe and secure web platform, CitizenshipWorks, that applicants can use and get free help from an experienced attorney at the APALRC in reviewing and drafting their citizenship application. The website exists in three languages: English, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese. The website allows applicants to start and stop their application at any time and saves their work each step of the way. Please note, CitizenshipWorks is not connected to USCIS or the US government, it is a private website. This is not the same as filing online through the USCIS website. To start drafting your application today, please go to http://www.citizenshipworks.org/Portal/APALRCFor more information, please contact APALRC at info@apalrc.org or 202-393-3572.
> Free Legal Service provided by the Pro Bono Program
The Pro Bono Program provides FREE LEGAL SERVICES to low-income county residents in civil cases. The Pro Bono Program provides two means for residents to receive free services - at a legal advice clinic or through the client intake line for a referral to an attorney volunteer for direct representation. See the brochures in English or Spanish.
The Pro Bono Program is committed to helping the residents of Montgomery County, MD. Individual circumstances may vary and in some cases they may not be able to assist everyone. For further information please read the brochure or call the Pro Bono Program at 301-424-7651 between the hours of 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, Monday - Thursday.
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> Free immigration consultations by HIAS by phone
HIAS works with a generous network of pro bono attorneys - both locally through their headquarters in NY and Silver Spring, MD, and across the country - to provide legal services to asylum seekers, asylees, and others who are seeking humanitarian relief. Given the evolving situation regarding COVID-19, for the safety of staff and volunteers, HIAS has suspended all in-person client meetings and all non-essential travel, including pro bono legal delegations to the border. However, they are now providing free telephonic immigration consultations for Montgomery County residents. If interested in receiving a consultation, please email generallaw@hias.org or call 240-668-4053 and leave a message. You must note in your email or your voicemail that you are a Montgomery County resident to get a callback. For all other Maryland residents, please call HIAS's intake line the first Friday of every month at 301-844-7248 to receive a free immigration consultation.
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> FIRN
FIRN Inc. a Department of Justice (DOJ) accredited non-profit organization located in Columbia, Maryland, is currently accepting intakes for individuals residing in Montgomery County who need representation in their removal proceedings. FIRN currently has 1 full-time immigration attorney on staff, along with 2 fully accredited DOJ representatives. All immigration services are provided either low-cost or pro bono and FIRN's staff speak English and Spanish. Any Montgomery County resident interested in completing an intake should contact Alexis Downs De Colocho, adowns@firnonline.org or call 410-992-1923. For more information about FIRN please visit www.firnonline.org. |
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Language Services and Financial Assistance
> Language Access Services by Ayuda Do you provide services to Maryland victims of crime? Do you ever need a spoken or sign interpreter to communicate with the victims whom you serve? The Language Access Program at Ayuda can provide you with professionally trained, trauma-informed interpreters at no cost (because of funding from the Maryland Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention). Please email interpreterbank@ayuda.com with "Maryland Victims" in the subject heading to learn more and to add your organization to the list of those that will receive services. |
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> Financial Assistance for Citizenship Application Fees offered by CASA
CASA, in partnership with Montgomery County, is offering financial assistance to those who are eligible to apply for citizenship but cannot afford to pay the application fee. Residents of Montgomery County who earn less than 300% of the federal poverty guideline may qualify for a scholarship of $150 or $300 to help pay the application filing fee. Interested applicants should call (240) 560-2272 for more information. Flyers are available in English and |
Upcoming Meetings of County Executive's Ethnic & Faith Advisory Groups
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All ethnic advisory groups are currently meeting virtually. For more information or concerns, please feel free to reach out to the liaisons listed below:
African Affairs Advisory Group harrieta.shangarai@montgomerycountymd.gov
African American Advisory Group
julian.norment@montgomerycountymd.gov
Asian Pacific American Advisory Group
Caribbean American Advisory Group
Yvonne.Stephens@montgomerycountymd.gov
Latin American Advisory Group
jessy.mejiaterry@montgomerycountymd.gov
Middle Eastern American Advisory Group
Arwa.ElBoraei@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Interfaith Community Advisory Group
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Nominate Volunteers for Top County Awards
Nominations are now open for the Montgomery Serves Awards, our county's highest honor for volunteer service. This prestigious annual awards program is coordinated by the Montgomery County Volunteer Center and recognizes volunteer efforts in the following categories:
To nominate deserving volunteers, complete the appropriate online nomination forms linked above no later than Friday, March 12, at 5 pm.
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Korean American Day Proclamation
County Executive Marc Elrich celebrated Korean American Day with Korean community leaders on January 13, 2021. Korean American Day commemorates the arrival of the first 102 Korean immigrants to arrive in the United States in 1903 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The day also honors Korean Americans' immense contributions to every aspect of society. Click here to view the County Executive's proclamation.
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CARIBBEAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY
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Upcoming Events
Sunday, February 28, 2021 at 4:00 pm, the Caribbean diaspora will celebrate 2021 Black History Month with a webinar, "The Contributions of the Caribbean Diaspora that have Strengthened the U.S.A." Dr. Julius Garvey, the son of Hon. Marcus Mosiah Garvey, will be the keynote speaker. READ MORE>>>
Community Outreach
We encourage the Caribbean community to support Caribbean retail businesses. Several small proprietors may be forced to close their businesses because of the impact of the COVID-19.
Leaders in Caribbean communities continue to encourage Montgomery County residents to complete the COVID-19 survey and self-identify as having Caribbean heritage. Outreach continues to foster participation in webinars and town hall meetings to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and receive information from reliable sources.
CAAG: Working to Serve the Caribbean Community in Montgomery County.
Mrs. Venice Mundle-Harvey, Chair
Mrs. Derrice Deane, Co-Chair
Mrs. Yvonne Stephens, Liaison
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Latin American Advisory Group Appointments
The County Executive will be appointing new members and reappointing some current members to the Latin American Advisory Group. The Group will also prepare to vote for its new leadership. The incoming Group will focus its 2021 work on Covid relief and recovery in the community in collaboration with the administration, and in building the infrastructure to implement recommendations in the Latino Agenda for Action Report 2020-2024. For more information, please email Jessy Mejia Terry, Latino Liaison at jessy.mejiaterry@montgomerycountymd.gov.
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MIDDLE EASTERN AMERICAN COMMUNITY
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Updates
MEAAG's January 17th retreat featured guest speaker Ellen Hartranft (Visitor Services Supervisor, Montgomery Parks) who provided a virtual tour of Brookside Gardens Visitor Center at Wheaton Regional Park. MEAAG members celebrated the birthday of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and discussed the importance of all adults getting the COVID-19 vaccine when eligible. The retreat concluded with a strategic planning session.
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| | Smart Cookie Community Project |
Throughout January, MEAAG members pitched in at local nonprofits.
> Sahar Fahmy, who also chairs the Satellite Rotary Club of Washington Global, participated in the January 19th "Smart Cookie" community project in Gaithersburg, along with ESOL teacher Yeage Allison Lee, African Affairs Advisory Group member Rashida Bright, and the American Diversity Group. They helped provide families with 110 pizzas from Paisanos Gaithersburg, 100+ bags of food, school supplies, and masks.
> MEAAG member Amjad Chaudhry and son Ali helped host a blood drive with the Red Cross and Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association in Silver Spring.
Upcoming Events
From March 1st to April 25th, MEAAG and the Brookside Gardens Visitor Center are co-sponsoring the exhibition Middle Eastern American Artists in the Garden and Beyond. The exhibition bridges Middle Eastern and other ethnic cultures in the county and will include an online gallery and meet-the-artists event, a celebration of Earth Day in April, and art sales in the gift shop! Details will follow in this space and Facebook. March is Middle Eastern American Heritage Month! We'll celebrate on Zoom on Sunday, March 14th from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, with the theme of "Spread the Joy." Join us for our most inclusive heritage celebration yet, with an official proclamation ceremony, virtual entertainment, resource information "booths," and support to four area food banks --including goodie bags! Details will follow in this space, Facebook or by emailing Arwa.ElBoraei@montgomerycountymd.gov. Click here to view flyer.
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Faith Community Moves Forward
With the retirement of Rev. Mansfield "Kasey" Kaseman, the Faith Community Advisory Council (FCAC) Executive Committee continues the work. At some time in the future, Rev. Kaseman's position of Interfaith Community Liaison will be filled. At present, the FCAC has appointed a core group of interfaith leaders from the Executive Committee to oversee the interfaith work in our county. Click here to read more in the FCAC newsletter.
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Have News to Share?
To submit your news and events of interest to those in and serving Montgomery County's emerging communities and neighbors in need, email complete details and/or a press release to the OCP Newsletter.
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