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OFFICE OF COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS NEWSLETTER
"A More Equitable and Inclusive Montgomery County"
County Executive Marc Elrich
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Asian Pacific American Community
October Events
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The Newah Organization of America celebrated the 11th Yenya Punhi (Indra Jatra) at Black Hill Regional Park in October. Hundreds of Nepali community members celebrated together. To learn more about the Yenya Punhi (Indra Jatra) celebration, please click here. | |
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The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) held a launch of their 2023 AAPI Programing with Asian community members at Q by Peter Chang in Bethesda. The BSO performs a wide variety of programs at the Music Center at Strathmore. To learn more about the BSO and its calendar of events, please click here.
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Latin American Community
Meet-and-Greet Invitation Coming Soon
The Latin American Advisory Group will hold a Meet-and-Greet, tentatively scheduled for the last week of November at the County Executive Office Building. The event aims to foster connections among community partners, Montgomery County elected officials, and representatives from Latin American consulates to better serve newcomers. An invitation will follow. For more information, please contact Jessy Mejia Terry, jessy.mejiaterry@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Community Conversation
The Latin American Advisory Group is planning its next Community Conversation for January 2024, focusing on public safety, fentanyl use, and missing children in the County. LAAG will invite critical stakeholders, such as HHS, MCPD, Regional Service Offices, and others. For more information, please contact Jessy Mejia Terry,
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Middle Eastern American Community
Meeting Updates
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The Middle Eastern American Advisory Group met on September 27 via Zoom. The guest speaker, Gilberto Zelaya, Ph.D., Community Engagement/Public Relations Officer, Montgomery County Board of Elections, discussed voter registration and launched MEAAG's Voter Education Initiative for 2023-2024 in partnership with the Board of Elections.
The MEAAG meeting on October 25 featured guest speaker Lobna Ismail, founder and president of Connecting Cultures. Ms. Ismail spoke about reducing tensions, breaking barriers, and building relations across cultures. For more information, please contact the Middle Eastern Liaison.
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich met with representatives of Middle Eastern and Arab Americans in Montgomery County on October 18 to hear their concerns about the implications of recent developments in the Middle East on Montgomery County residents. As a follow-up, MEAAG organized a community conversation on October 31 with the Montgomery County Police Department about local safety and security. The Office of Community Partnerships (OCP) presented information about security grants to nonprofit organizations at high risk of experiencing hate crimes and the anti-hate task force’s mission and agenda.
Author Conversations
MEAAG and the Montgomery County Public Libraries' virtual branch will be launching its new series of free meet-the-author book talks. More information will be announced soon. If you are interested in participating in these conversations, please contact MEAAG member Karen Leggett.
Voter Education Initiative
In partnership with the Montgomery County Board of Elections, MEAAG launched its Voter Education Initiative (VEI) in September. As part of this initiative, the Board of Elections will staff a resource table during the Resource Fair for Youth and Adults with Disabilities and Their Families.
The Montgomery County Transition Working Group will organize and host this free event from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, November 5, at 401 N Washington Street, Rockville. For more information, please contact MEAAG member Karen Leggett.
Middle Eastern American and Arab American Heritage Months Celebrations
OCP will organize two celebrations in March and April 2024 to celebrate Middle Eastern American and Arab American Heritage months. Local Middle Eastern American and Arab American community businesses, nonprofits, artists, and vendors are invited to exhibit free of charge, but no sales transactions are permitted. Please contact OCP’s Middle Eastern Liaison for more information.
If you are interested in volunteering, learning more about the amazing Middle Eastern American and Arab American community and culture, and gaining hands-on experience in organizing community events, please contact the OCP’s Middle Eastern Liaison. Volunteers will receive certificates of recognition and student volunteers are eligible to receive SSL credits.
Volunteer and Earn SSL Hours
Are you interested in making a difference in seniors' lives? The American Muslim Senior Society (AMSS) needs your help with food delivery, packaging, and pick-up. Please contact AMSS at 301-335-9961 or email info@amssmd.org.
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November Holidays and Days of Interest
All Saints Day, 11/1 | Lhabab Duchen (Tibetan), 11/4 | Veterans' Day, 11/11 | Bandi Chhor Divas, 11/12 | Diwali, 11/12 | Indian New Year, 11/13 | Gurgaddi Guru Granth Sahib, 11/15
Gyan Panchami, 11/18 | Thanksgiving Day, 11/23 | American Indian Heritage Day, 11/24
Birth of Guru Nanak Dev ji, 11/27
Upcoming Events
The Office of Community Partnerships and the Upcounty Regional Service Center are hosting an event from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 7, to connect faith and community leaders to local resources available in the County and hear their concerns. The meeting will feature speakers from a few County departments and will allow time for attendees to share their own experiences. We will provide light food. Space is limited to 60 attendees, so only one individual per house of worship or organization, please. Register here.
The Religious Land Use Working Group will meet at 2 p.m. on November 22. For more information, email interfaith@montgomerycountymd.gov.
The Resettlement Working Group will meet at 7 p.m. on November 22. For more information, email interfaith@montgomerycountymd.gov.
House of Worship Security Training: OEMHS and the Montgomery County Police Department continue to provide support with security to organizations that indicate a need for assistance. The County provides classes, assessments and training sessions specially designed for nonprofit and faith-based facilities. The next training will be in Germantown at 7 p.m. on November 29. Register here. At any time, you may also request a walk-through of your house of worship or non-profit to get advice on securing the facility by contacting police or emailing interfaith@montgomerycountymd.gov.
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October Activities
Please click here to view.
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Addressing Hate Crimes
We have seen an increase in hate crimes in our community targeting Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, and other communities. We will not stand for hate in Montgomery County and remain dedicated to finding ways to support our diverse communities during this challenging time.
This video shares a message from the County Executive following conversations he has had with Jewish, Muslim and Christian members of our County who are mourning the loss of loved ones abroad as well as those impacted by hate here at home.
The video also shares an announcement from the County Executive regarding an expedited $311,700 in Nonprofit Security Grant funding to Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, and Zoroastrian communities in Montgomery County to enhance security measures. Since the outbreak of violence in Israel and Gaza, concern has risen that these communities have been, or will be, threatened by violence and other crimes motivated by hate and bias. These awards will provide immediate assistance to the organizations that are receiving funding to invest in various security measures to protect their communities and facilities. Learn more here.
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