NEWS & EVENTS AROUND THE REGION
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COVID Vaccinations
See information on COVID-19 vaccinations, and a link to pre-register 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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Job Opening
The Office of the County Council is seeking to hire a Legislative Services Coordinator (LSC) to perform advanced administrative support to a team of legislative analysts and/or attorneys supporting the work of the County Council. Closing date: May 24, 2021. Click here for job details.
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Food Security Resources
The Montgomery County Food Council will host two free, virtual training sessions in partnership with Nonprofit Montgomery (May 19th) and the Montgomery County Volunteer Center (May 25th). Click here for more information.
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Paycheck Protection Program - Round 2
Good news! The Paycheck Protection Program is now more accessible to those who are self-employed. Continue to the Latino Economic Development Center's PPP applicaiton here.
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Small Business Relief Grants
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Grants for English Literacy Programs
In partnership with Montgomery County Government, MCAEL will continue to support Adult English literacy services in FY2022 (July 1, 2021- June 30, 2022) through two grant tracks: Adult English Literacy Program Grants and Adult English Literacy Access Grants. The goal of the MCAEL grants program is to increase the availability of adult ESOL and literacy services that support identified community needs and diverse populations while also supporting improvement of the quality of services.
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Book Talk at the Market
Book Talk at The Market is a series that gives local authors a platform to discuss their work, present a book reading, and sign books in the community. Are you a local author who would like to participate in Book Talk at the Market? For more information please click here.
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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
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Vietnamese American Services
VAS annual report is available here.
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Artist Vibe
Artist Vibe is a monthly online show with a live audience, featuring one local performing artist and one local visual artist/artisan. Sponsored by FAsMarketplace, its mission is "to create tangible opportunities for ordinary citizens to improve their lives through entrepreneurship, education, the arts, sports and other means." Click here for viewing information.
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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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GOOD NEWS! COVID-19 VACCINATION PROGRAM CONTINUES
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Appointments Are Available Now
You can now get an appointment for a vaccination at Bus Commuter Lot 18 at Lake Forest Mall in Gaithersburg. Daytime, evening, and weekend vaccinations are available from Tuesday, May 18 through Sunday, May 23, between 12:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Also, walk-ups are accepted based on availability. Check Montgomery County's website to find other convenient locations to get your vaccine.
Youth from 12 to 15 years old no longer need to preregister for appointments. Parents/guardians can make appointments for them at clinics that use the Pfizer vaccine. Registrants who are 12 to 17 years old must have permission from a parent or guardian to receive a dose of the vaccine and provide proof of their age when they arrive at a vaccination clinic.
Our clinics offer these vaccines: Pfizer vaccine for age 12 and older AND Moderna and J&J vaccine for age 18 and older.
As of May 20, 48.6% of county residents had received their two required doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or their one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The county plans to lift most restrictions on May 28 and revert to the state's guidance.
Montgomery County's seven-day average COVID-19 case rate reached its lowest point on Sunday since the early days of the pandemic in March 2020.
Click here to view the vaccine distribution dashboard. 
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GILCHRIST IMMIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER
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100 Volunteers Give 600 Hours
The Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center offers free and low-cost classes to the community, thanks to our amazing volunteer instructors and assistants. In 2020, volunteers eagerly and quickly dedicated themselves to learning how to teach online so that we had only a short period of transition from in-person to online classes. READ MORE>>>
Registration for Online Classes
Do you know someone looking to improve their basic computer skills? The Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center has started its Spring registration for online classes! Registration for basic computer classes, workforce development, financial literacy workshops, and citizenship preparation will begin the week of May 4, 2021. All classes are held ONLINE. Please check out the website for details or call 240-777-4940. READ MORE>>>
Connect to Community Resources During COVID-19
The Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center is ready to help you connect with a variety of community resources and Gilchrist programs. Call 240-777-4940 Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Click here for more information.
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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 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. Although in-person clinics remain closed, ome-on-one consultations with attorneys are available. For more information, call the Pro Bono Program at 301-424-7651. Click here for flyer.
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> Free immigration consultations by HIAS by phone
HIAS works with a network of pro bono attorneys to provide legal services to asylum seekers, asylees, and others who are seeking humanitarian relief. At the current time, 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' intake line the first Friday of every month at 301-844-7248 to receive a free immigration consultation.
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> Free Citizenship Preparation Classes and Naturalization Application Assistance
Are you a legal, permanent resident preparing for the U.S. citizenship test and interview? Montgomery College (MC) provides FREE citizenship preparation classes online via Zoom. In partnership, Catholic Charities Immigration Legal Services offers help with the N-400 application for naturalization. For more details, please email
citizenshipprogram@montgomerycollege.edu or visit the website.
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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. 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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> Sexual Assault Advocacy Training
The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault offers free online training for advocates who work directly with sexual assault survivors in Maryland. Live webinars will be presented from June 7 - Jume 17. Participants also may receive recordings of webinars to complete through the end of the month if they are unable to attend live sessions. CEU credits are available. Click here for the registration link. Please email info@mcasa.org with any questions. |
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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. 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 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 Spanish. Note: Low-income individuals seeking to apply for citizenship may also be eligible for a fee waiver or reduced fee through USCIS. |
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 met on
Thursday, May 13, 2020 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. The meeting focused on mental health in the Black community. The June meeting will be held on June 10 at 6:30 pm. For more details and virtual link please email harrieta.shangarai@montgomerycountymd.gov.
African American Advisory Group will meet on June 30 at 5:00 pm. For more information, contact
julian.norment@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Asian Pacific American Advisory Group will not meet in May and will reconvene in June. If you have any questions, please email Mr. Yi Shen at yi.shen@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Caribbean American Advisory Group will meet on August 2. For more information, contact
Latin American Advisory Group will reconvene for its next meeting in the third week of August 2021. More details will be provided in the August newsletter. For more information, please email Jessy Mejia Terry, Latino Liaison at
jessy.mejiaterry@montgomerycountymd.gov
Middle Eastern American Advisory Group
met on May 19 at 5:00 pm. For more information, contact
Arwa.ElBoraei@montgomerycountymd.gov.
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Volunteers Recognized for Exceptional Service
Six individuals and organizations have been named recipients of the 2020 Montgomery Serves Awards, our county's highest honor for volunteerism. This year's honorees, selected from among hundreds of inspiring nominations, represent some of the key ways volunteers have served the community during the COVID-19 pandemic and throughout their lifetimes. Read about the honorees here.
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AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY
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AAHP Expands Free COVID-19 Testing
The African American Health Program (AAHP) has moved its "Targeted COVID-19 Response" testing efforts indoors to partner with Black faith and Black Greek letter organizations. Also, to help encourage testing, AAHP is providing participants with FREE on-site COVID-19 services such as vaccine pre-registration, a bag of groceries, and a pandemic swag box which includes masks, gloves, a digital thermometer, and hand sanitizer, in addition to other wraparound services. READ MORE>>>
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Asians Facing Hate or Violence
An Asian Community Safety Conversation on April 1 included panelists County Executive Marc Elrich, Police Chief Marcus Jones, States Attorney John McCarthy and Office of Human Rights Director James Stowe. View the conversation here.
An Asian Community Conversation with MCPS was held on April 8. Parents concerned about potential bullying and hate/violence against their children met with MCPS leadership. View the conversation here.
Additional resources for Asian community dealing with hate or violence can be found here.
AAPI Heritage Month Events
The Chinese Culture and Community Services Center co-sponsored two events for AAPI Heritage Month:
- Adapting Our Traditional Values to the Future
- Cooking with Chef Jassi, From Punjab Grill DC
Staff Recognition
OCP Liaison Yi Shen was recognized by the National Partnership for New Americans for Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Congratulations, Yi! READ MORE>>>
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CARIBBEAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY
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Montgomery County will celebrate Caribbean Heritage Month in June. The Office of Community Partnerships Caribbean American Advisory Group invites the public, and especially our Caribbean American friends, to Caribbean American Proclamation Day, which will be held virtually on June 8th from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. For more information, please email Rodrigue Vital, Caribbean American Liaison at rodrigue.vital@montgomerycountymd.gov.
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Mid-County Covid Community Committee
Every Wednesday evening from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, the MC-CCC meets virtually to share updates on the county's vaccine efforts and brainstorm, plan, and engage in outreach activities in the Mid-County region to encourage neighbors to register and get their Covid vaccines. Since dose availability is outpacing demand, the committee is working to complement the county's efforts by building on the efforts of food hubs and other events and locations.
So far, this committee has held three pre-registration events (and are planning a fourth), registering over 300 Mid-County neighbors, before pivoting to complementing pop-up clinics.
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MIDDLE EASTERN AMERICAN COMMUNITY
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Updates
MEAAG organized a virtual public Ramadan proclamation and cultural event with county officials and area clergy on April 18th.
County Council President Tom Hucker proclaimed April as Arab American Heritage Month.
For a detailed summary of MEAAG's activities, click here.
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The Faith Community on Social Media
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Morazan, El Salvador Sister City
This Sister City Committee met on April 30th for the first time since the pandemic to resume up its work for the new year. The committee will focus its efforts on highlighting its work over the years in a video produced by Montgomery College's Carolina Galeano, who will be collecting pictures, interviews, and testimonials. This video will be featured in the new Sister Cities website later in the year. The committee also will meet virtually on Friday, May 21st to get an update from Miguel Ventura, Liaison to Morazan State, regarding Morazan's pandemic situation and community needs. The committee will also begin planning fundraising activities for the year ahead.
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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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