NEWS & EVENTS AROUND THE REGION
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County Executive to Host Online Chat
Join County Executive Marc Elrich for an online chat from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 13, via the Montgomery County website.
Questions and answers will be posted online. For more information, call the Office of Public Information at
240-777-6507.
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Wear Orange
Join
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America in Downtown Silver Spring on Saturday, June 8, to come together with many partner organizations, including Communities United Against Hate (CUAH) and Youth Creating Change (YCC), to recognize and give voice to neighbors disproportionately impacted by hate and gun violence, and show our love and solidarity. Wear orange to raise awareness and demonstrate there is a movement of Americans committed to Ending Gun Violence and Disarming Hate.
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World Heritage Festival
This free family event includes cultural performances, food and craft vendors, and kids' zone. June 23rd at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring, MD from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Click here for more information.
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Heritage Days 2019
Join Heritage Montgomery in celebrating the 22nd annual Heritage Days with a weekend packed with fun, family-friendly, FREE events all across the county on June 29 and 30 from 12 noon to 4:00 p.m.
READ MORE>>>
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Census Jobs - Apply Online
Check out
flyer for more information.
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Nominations Being Accepted for 2019 Governor's Service Awards
The awards recognize Marylanders who have provided significant volunteer contributions to communities around the state and have worked to change Maryland for the better.
Learn more. Applications are also being accepted for the
inaugural Youth Awards. DEADLINE IS JUNE 7.
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County Offers Opportunities to Small Businesses
The Local Small Business Reserve Program (LSBRP) ensures that County departments award 20 percent (with specified exceptions) of their procurements for goods, services and construction to registered and certified local, small businesses. The program assists County departments in identifying solicitations appropriate for LSBRP competition and allows local, small vendors an opportunity to compete with businesses of similar size and resources for County contracts.
Learn more about LSBRP here. For information about the County's Office of Procurement, click here.
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Community Ministries Changes Name
CMR
(Community Ministries of Rockville) has changed its name to Community Reach of Montgomery County. The organization's mission, programs, etc. all remain the same.
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Fight Acts of Hate and Bias
Communities United Against Hate (CUAH) is launching a year-long training series to engage the public around the issue of hate crimes and bias related incidents. The series is free and will feature quarterly themed modules addressing different aspects of hate and bias. Each module will culminate in a town hall, bringing together attendees, policy-makers, and other stakeholders to discuss key takeaways. For more information, click
here.
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Flag Day Ceremony on June 14 in Olde Towne Plaza
The Gaithersburg Community Museum and Boy Scout Troop 1760 will hold a Flag Day Ceremony on Friday, June 14, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. in Olde Towne Plaza, 1 South Summit Avenue. Montgomery County Councilmember Sidney Katz will deliver remarks reflecting on the meaning of our country's symbol.
READ MORE>>>
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Pre-K/Head Start Applications
Montgomery County Public Schools Prekindergarten/Head Start Programs are now accepting applications for next school year for low-income children who will be 4 years old by September 1. Applications are taken Monday through Friday at Rocking Horse Road Center, 4910 Macon Road, Rockville, MD 20852 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
More information is available at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org or call 240-740-4530. |
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Montgomery County Care for the Caregiver Event
On Saturday June 15, 2019 Montgomery County will host a major Caregiver Outreach Community Event in partnership with the County's Minority Health Initiatives and County public-private stakeholders.
This event will increase caregivers' awareness of supports available in Montgomery County. In addition, the listening session will allow caregivers opportunities to share their needs with stakeholders.
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Hindustani Classical Vocal Music
The Gandhi Memorial Center will present a program of Hindustani Classical Vocal Music
on
June 15 at 5:00 p.m. at 4748 Western Avenue, Bethesda, MD.
Admission payable at the door: $20. Click here
for details.
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Celebración 20
Save the date for Identity's Celebración 20, an evening to celebrate 20 years of Latino youth reaching their highest potential. The event will be on September 26, 2019 at Universities at Shady Grove. Click
here
for more information.
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WSSC Open Houses
WSSC will host three open houses in Montgomery and Prince George's counties this spring. They will highlight several new WSSC initiatives, as well as resources available to customers through community partners. Click here to learn more.
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Neighborhood Matching Grant Program
The City of Gaithersburg is accepting applications for funding under the Frederick J. Felton Neighborhood Matching Grant Program. The program provides an incentive for neighborhood organizations to improve their communities by awarding dollar-for-dollar matching grants of up to $5,000.
READ MORE>>>
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Upcoming Small Business Training and Workshops
Wherever you are with your business, taking it to the next level requires you to think differently and leverage a new set of resources. Learn more
here
about a wide variety of offerings and opportunities.
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Please join us for a very important Community Forum on Policing in Montgomery County on June 6.
County Executive Marc Elrich and Councilmember Will Jawando want to hear from you. How can the Montgomery County Police Department better engage and collaborate with the community? What policies and actions are or are not working? What priorities do you want to see from a new police chief? Answer these questions at the Community Forum on Policing in Montgomery County on Thursday, June 6th from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. in the auditorium of Kennedy High School, 1902 Randolph Road, Silver Spring, MD 20902.
Participants can provide comments directly to County Executive Elrich and Councilmember Jawando at the forum. You will also be able to provide live feedback during the forum via an online survey on your phone or tablet.
If you cannot make it, you can provide feedback via this online survey
until June 10th (please do not retake survey if you have already given us your feedback). It is important for all communities to weigh in on this important issue so please encourage your networks to complete the survey and attend the Forum on June 6th.
Sign language and interpreter services will be provided upon request with notice as far in advance as possible (at least 48 hours). If these or other services or aids are needed to participate in this community forum, please call the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center at 240-777-4940 or email a request to
languagebank@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Cảm Ơn (Thank You),
Diane Vy Nguyen-Vu
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June Workshops and Information Sessions
> Free Legal Services Provided by 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 referral to an attorney volunteer for direct representation. Information is available in
English and
Spanish.
- The Montgomery County Maryland Bar Foundation Pro Bono Program Legal Clinics meet twice a month throughout Montgomery County (Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center & Germantown meet only once a month). Each clinic is staffed by attorneys versed in different areas of practice including immigration. Click here for schedules.
- Please note that the East county clinic that meets the 1st Thursday of every month has two Immigration attorneys to address inquiries regarding immigration.
The Pro Bono Program is committed to helping the residents of Montgomery County, MD. Individual circumstances may vary and in some cases we may not be able to assist everyone.
Call the Pro Bono Program at 301-424-7651 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday for additional information.
>Free Citizenship Application Workshop Hosted by APALRC
The APALRC will host a free Citizenship Application Workshop on Saturday, June 15th from
10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Rockville Memorial Library. At this workshop, attendees can expect to
receive free one-on-one assistance in completing the paperwork to apply for naturalization/U.S.
citizenship.
This workshop is free and open to all regardless of country of origin or nationality. Assistance with Fee Waiver, Reduced Fee, and Medical Exception applications will also be provided, as applicable. We encourage everyone who is interested in attending this workshop to register in advance either online at
www.apalrc.org/citizenship-guide or by calling 202-706-7135.
>Citizenship Information Sessions Presented by Montgomery College and Catholic Charities
Are you a legal, permanent resident preparing for the U.S. citizenship test and interview? Come to an information session and discover how Montgomery College and Catholic Charities may be able to help you for free! Information sessions: June 4th at 6:00 p.m. or June 8th at 9:00 a.m. See
website
for more information.
>Free Citizenship Preparation Classes in Montgomery County
- Montgomery College (MC) provides FREE citizenship preparation classes throughout Montgomery County, including locations in Rockville, Silver Spring, and Wheaton. Multi-level classes are funded through a grant from United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) at various schedules to meet the needs of learners.
Registration will begin on June 4th at 6:00 p.m. or June 8th at 9:00 a.m. To register, please bring your green card to Montgomery College, 11002 Veirs Mill Road, Wheaton, MD, 20902. Please check the
MC Citizenship website
for more information or call 240-567-8839.
>Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) Baltimore
Introductory Training - Representing Children in Immigration Matters - Thursday, June 20th, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.,
University of Baltimore School of Law, 1401 N. Charles St., Room 209, Baltimore, MD 21201.
The presentation will provide an overview of unaccompanied immigrant children and the laws that affect them; working with child clients and interpreters; family court and immigration proceedings for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status cases in Maryland; asylum law; and cases available for placement. This introductory training is required for new KIND pro bono attorneys prior to taking on their first KIND case, but there is no requirement of accepting a case to attend the training.
Please RSVP to
infobaltimore@supportkind.org
by Monday, June 17th.
KIND Baltimore offers advanced trainings on relevant immigration issues, such as accomplishing service in a foreign country, drafting asylum affidavits, and completing immigration applications/petitions. These opportunities are announced via weekly emails. To join the distribution list to receive news of all KIND trainings and available cases, please email
infobaltimore@supportkind.org.
>Free Immigration Clinic hosted by AYUDA
Get a one-on-one meeting with an attorney. Ask your immigration questions. This is a brief advice and referral clinic. If you meet with an attorney, the services you receive will be limited by time, expertise, and the information you provide. You will receive advice that is specific to your situation, but the attorney you meet with will not represent you after the clinic. Flyers are available in
English and
Spanish.
- When: FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019 10 AM - 12 PM
- Where: CONSULATE OF HONDURAS. 1990 M ST NW, SUITE 104, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036
Language Access: Please call ahead if you need a sign language interpreter. We serve clients in all languages. Send an email to anastasia.sendoun@ayuda.com or call (202) 243-7315 with any questions
Language Services and Financial Assistance
>Language 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 write to
i
nterpreterbank@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.
>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 in the amount 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
Spanish
. Note: Low-income individuals seeking to apply for citizenship may also be eligible for a
fee waiver
or
reduced fee
through USCIS.
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Upcoming Meetings of County Executive's Ethnic & Faith Advisory Groups
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African Affairs Advisory Group (AAAG)
will meet on Thursday, June 13, 2019 at the Silver Spring Civic Building, 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, MD from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. These monthly meetings are open to the public. For more information, please contact Diane Vu, diane.vu@montgomerycountymd.gov.
To stay updated on AAAG's latest events and opportunities, please visit
www.facebook.com/Africanaag
, Instagram: @Africanaag, Twitter: @Africanaag
Montgomery County Sister City Ethiopia Community Meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 5, 2019 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Building, 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
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Middle Eastern American Advisory Group (MEAAG) will meet on Monday, June 10th, 7:00 p.m. - 9 p.m. at the Rockville Memorial Library in the 3rd floor Mediation Room. Youth and adults are welcome. Please contact Debbie Trent at dtrent@civilstrategies.net for more information.
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Interfaith Community -- Faith Community Working Group will meet on Tuesday, June 11 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Rockville Memorial Library.
The Education Committee will meet on Monday, June 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Rockville Memorial Library.
Executive Committee will meet on June 20 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Rockville Memorial Library.
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Latin American Advisory Group
will hold their annual retreat on June 11. For more information, please contact Diane Vu at
diane.vu@montgomerycountymd.gov
.
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Senior Corps Volunteers Help Residents Receive Millions in Tax Refunds
More than 150 volunteers with the
Senior Corps RSVP/AARP Tax-Aide Program
--coordinated through the Montgomery County Volunteer Center--recently wrapped up another successful tax season, preparing federal and state tax returns at no charge for 6,217 low- to moderate-income county residents, many of them seniors. These efforts generated more than $4.4 million in refunds and saved participants an estimated $1.4 million in tax preparation fees.
Interested in joining this hard-working and congenial team next tax season? Visit the Tax-Aide Volunteer
webpage to learn how to get involved as a tax counselor, client facilitator (greeter), or scheduler. Or
email the Tax-Aide Program for more details. Volunteer information is distributed in the fall.
To celebrate the work of the Tax-Aide volunteers, Asbury Methodist Village hosted an appreciation brunch at which County Executive Marc Elrich presented a certificate of appreciation to Lynn Kinch in recognition of her five years of volunteer service as district coordinator of the Senior Corps RSVP/Tax-Aide Program serving Montgomery County. Although she is stepping down from this volunteer leadership position, she will continue volunteering as a tax counselor. See photo at right.
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GILCHRIST IMMIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER
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Downcounty Providers Network Quarterly Meeting
Work Session on Effective Outreach Strategies
Many of our immigrant residents are feeling threatened by recent federal policy changes, and are scared to access public and community services. Join us to discuss challenges, share successes, and brainstorm how we, as service providers, can work together to rebuild trust in our communities and to effectively reach out to under-served, hard-to-reach communities. We will also talk about Census 2020 outreach, and discuss how the County's Office of Community Partnerships can be helpful to your work. Diane Vu, Director, Office of Community Partnerships, will join the discussion. This session is for service providers only.
Please mark your calendar and help spread the word:
When: Wednesday, June 12, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Where: Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center, 11002 Veirs Mill Road, Suite 506, Wheaton, MD 20902 (located in the Westfield South Building within the Wheaton Mall compound, near Party City and the movie theater)
The Down County Provider Networking Meeting assists Montgomery County Providers: nonprofit organizations, schools, faith-based, and other community-based organizations that are dedicated to working with all County residents. These quarterly meetings help facilitate collaborations, partnerships, information dissemination, and the convening of subject matter experts on specific topics of interest to County providers, which help all providers in delivering effective and efficient services to residents.
Gilchrist Center Staff Attends Welcoming Interactive
From March 15-17, Gilchrist Center staff attended Welcoming Interactive,
the annual conference organized by Welcoming
America, a national nonprofit that promotes welcoming and inclusive community building. Monica Martin, Administrator of Linkages to Learning, Department of Health and Human Services and Kaori Hirakawa, Manager of the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center, presented a Montgomery County model of the two-generation approach to poverty in immigrant communities during the conference.
The two-generation approach is a model for addressing intergenerational poverty, incorporating programmatic elements for low-income children and adults from the same family, rather than serving only one generation. The model was recently studied and researched by institutions such as the Migration Policy Institute and the Urban Institute and has been proven to be very effective.
READ MORE>>>
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Update
The Tayitu Culture and Education Center welcomed the first female Supreme Court Chief of Ethiopia, Meaza Ashenafi, at the Poetry Night on May 31st.
OnePupil's semi-annual 5K run was held on June 1st. OnePupil is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and 100% of the proceeds from the event will go to support children's educational programs in Ethiopia.
Save the date
September 5, 2019
African Heritage Month - Proclamation Day, 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, MD 20910
September 14, 2019
Cameroonian Doctors Association - Free Community Health Fair, Silver Spring Presbyterian Church (SSPC),
580 University Boulevard East, Silver Spring, MD 20901
September 21, 2019
Pan-African Festival 2019 - 10 YEAR Jubilee, 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, MD 20910
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Harmonious Art Group Exhibits Calligraphy, Brush Painting
I
n celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the City of
Gaithersburg and its Multicultural Affairs Committee (MAC) present an exhibit featuring the artwork of the
Harmonious Art Group, on display April 26 through June 24, 2019, at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506
South Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, Maryland. Viewing hours are Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to
9 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
READ MORE>>>
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May Update
County Executive Marc Elrich with Mumtaz Jahan, Farideh Jahanbin and Sahar Fahmy of MEAAG at the Ramadan Iftar May 29th, held annually by the Montgomery County Muslim Foundation and the Muslim Council of Montgomery County. Read more about Iftar celebrations
below.
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On May 4th, Montgomery County's Iranian American community held a phenomenally successful 20th anniversary event for Children of Persia, with the nonprofit raising $92,000 to benefit flood victims in Iran.
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AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY
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Annual Health Freedom Celebration Walk
On June 8th, the African American Health Program will host its 15th Annual Health Freedom Celebration Walk. The Health Freedom Celebration Walk honors movement, fitness, and a journey towards better health.
The Health Freedom: A Path to Wellness is an innovative project to promote increased physical activity and a healthier lifestyle while making creative use of Maryland's integral role in the Underground Railroad. Participants will walk part of the route African American ancestors traveled or assisted those in a quest for freedom, and in turn, will become motivated to achieve their own freedom from the slavery of poor health.
This event will feature fitness demonstrations by an instructor with Elite Bodies and a showcase of Black History and Culture in Montgomery County. Click
here for additional details and registration information.
NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner
On May 19th, the Montgomery County Branch of the NAACP held its 44th Annual NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner,
an event that recognizes the positive contributions made by African American students to both their schools and the community. The theme this year was "Fight for Every Right--With All Thy Might." Some of the county's best and brightest students were offered NAACP scholarships to help offset college expenses.
County Executive Elrich and several County Councilmembers attended the dinner.
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CARIBBEAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY
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June is Caribbean American Heritage Month - Save the Date!
Young Professionals Networking Night
CAAG will host a YOUNG PROFESSIONALS NETWORKING NIGHT on June 6th at Port-au-Prince Haitian Cuisine in Silver Spring. Admission is free with happy hour specials and networking from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Please stay for Pap's Lovers Rock Thursdays with music by Phillippe the Haitian of Gruv Boutique. Click here for flyer.
DC Caribbean FilmFest
In recognition of Caribbean Heritage Month, AFI Silver will host the DC Caribbean FilmFest, now in its 19th year. The festival is co-presented by Caribbean Association of World Bank and IMF staff (CAWI), Caribbean Professional Network (CPN), Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) and Africa World Now Project. READ MORE>>>
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Iftar Celebrations
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich hosted an Iftar Celebration on May 29 in partnership with the
Office of Human Rights, the Montgomery County Muslim Council, and the Montgomery County Muslim Foundation. Iftar is the dinner eaten after sunset to break the fast each day during the month of Ramadan.
Ramadan is observed by more than one billion Muslims worldwide, including more than 70,000 in Montgomery County.
The featured speaker was
Coexist Foundation
President Tarek Elgawhary, whose remarks focused on the importance of Ramadan.
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At the Interfaith Iftar Dinner at the IMAAM Center,
Imam Fahmi Zubir, Chairman of the Board Among Sukasih, and President Bagus Adiyanto welcomed representatives from the Indonesian Embassy and faith leaders and parishioners from at least seven faith communities. In addressing the group,
Interfaith Community Liaison Rev. Mansfield Kaseman discussed the nature of his office and his vision for the County Executive's Faith Community Advisory Council and its programs. It was followed by a Q&A session, evening prayer, Iftar dinner, and extended social conversations.
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The Interfaith Iftar Dinner at the Islamic Community Center of Potomac (ICCP) drew over 300 members from 22 faith communities. The outreach of ICCP to their neighbors in time of need, their engagement in interfaith programs, and their hospitality were noted by speakers who expressed heartfelt appreciation.
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The 10th Anniversary Iftar Dinner at the Muslim Community Center included Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, State Senators and Delegates, County Councilmembers, Police and Fire and Rescue Chiefs and Officers, th
e
Office of Human Rights, and the Office of Community Partnerships.
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The Faith Community Working Group invites you to join its fourth annual
Multicultural Dialogue Series: Multicultural Dialogues on Racism & Bias
on June 13 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 4001 Franklin Street, Kensington, MD. There will be a potluck supper at 6:30 p.m. Congressman Jamie Raskin
will be in attendance to listen and respond to the discussion on systemic racism. Participants will engage in anti-bias exercises with a trained facilitator. $5 donation for materials and use of the space requested at the door. Register here:
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A community-based information sharing and discussion forum will be held on Thursday, June 13 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Building, Ellsworth Room, 1 Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring, MD 20910. The forum will address the process and flow for applying for a building permit in Montgomery County, and your rights under the law. This program is sponsored in cooperation with the Department of Permitting Services, Department of Environmental Protection, Montgomery County Community Use of Public Facilities, Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, and others to be announced! Register here:
http://bit.ly/rluwgsummersession
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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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