I
spent a full day with the ANC
and
residents
at the Council building and in Deanwood neighborhoods
to discuss
policing in Wards 7 and 8, particularly the troubling events at Nook's Barbershop. I’m grateful to all who took the time to come out to share their
experiences and ideas. Together, we are going to keep working hard to improve the relationship between our police and the communities they serve
.
This week, we tragically lost 10-year old Makiya Wilson to senseless gun violence. Homicides are up almost 50% this year - and almost half of the killings recorded so far in 2018 have taken place east of the Anacostia River. Most of the victims have been under the age of 19. This spike in violence is a wake-up call that we, as a government, must collaborate with our neighbors most impacted by violence to find solutions. I believe we can and will make progress, but it will take our collective voice and efforts.
Many residents are demanding that Immigration and Customs Enforcement abandon its inhumane tactics after viewing heartbreaking footage and photos of families being torn apart at the border. DC is, and should remain, a Sanctuary City. The District government should not participate in or support any federal immigration enforcement strategies that endanger the rights and well-being of our residents, workers, or visitors. I oppose federal immigration agents conducting sweeps of our neighborhoods and deporting our neighbors, through inhumane enforcement. While the Council is legally unable to prohibit federal immigration enforcement within the District, I continue to support providing pro bono legal assistance to our residents involved in immigration cases along with the
Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs
which offers our city's Latino residents opportunities and resources by addressing a broad range of social and economic needs through strategic management of public and private partnerships, expertise on policy, community relations, civic engagement and community-based grants. We also have the
New American Workforce
, which works with more than 250 bus
inesses in eight cities to assist eligible immigrant employees with the citizenship process. The
Immigrant Justice Legal Services
(IJLS) grant program funds organizations that help DC residents obtain green cards, renew work permits, and administer workshops that educate immigrants on their rights.
The Council is now on summer recess. My staff and I use this time to evaluate our progress, take a deeper look at policy issues affecting our city, and connect with you in the community. This means the Council will not have public hearings or votes on legislation, but our office will remain open, so please continue to email and call us with questions or concerns.
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Tuesday, July 24
National Building Museum | 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. | 401 F Street, NW
Just bring your DC ID and let's check out the new exhibits, including the Fun House!
Tuesday, August 21
Romeo & Juliet | 7:30 P.M. | Shakespeare Theatre | 601 F Street, NW
If you are interested in attending this FREE event at the Shakespeare Theatre,
click here
.
* Tickets are on a first come, first served basis.
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On Thursday, July 26, I will host my Ward 2 Meet and Greet as part of a series that is happening throughout every ward. In 2017, my team and I attended nearly 400 meetings and community events across our city. This year, I’m getting back to small settings and knocking on doors to engage in discussions about my legislation and what is and is not working in DC.
Most residents do not come to the Wilson Building or email me about their needs or hopes for our city. So, the best way for me to connect with them is through you. This is not a fundraiser or a campaign event. It is simply an opportunity to speak with you and your neighbors.
Please join me.
If you would like to volunteer to knock on doors with me, contact
[email protected]
or at (202) 724-8174.
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I visited Baby Einstein Child Development Center in
Ward 8
to celebrate passing the
Birth-to-Three for All DC Act 2018
,
which included my bill,
The BEGIn Act
, aimed at expanding access to early childhood education programs and stabilizing the early childhood education workforce. Early childhood education will yield the greatest return on investment for DC and across the country.
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Students wrote about how youth violence affects their lives and communities.
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We had an amazing time at the Nats vs Marlins game with over 250 constituents, including teens from the
DC Courts
BARJ program
. It was a game-winning night with a walk-off home run in the 9th inning!
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I was honored to visit the
Recreation Wish List Committee’s
S.E.T.U.P. summer program where children increase proficiency in math and reading as well as enhance their health and fitness during the summer. I read
Freedom in Congo Square
while the scholars acted it out. We even sang and danced to a few songs.
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It was a pleasure to be a guest on the
Ask Rayceen Show
with my friend, Rayceen Pendarvis. I discussed issues surrounding tipped workers and noise amplification.
We also played #AskRayceenSquares with a number of local celebrities.
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A Wider Circle
invited me to see the amazing wrap-around support and neighborhood programming they provide to DC and MD residents.
I have to say, I was blown away by their work. Their ability to focus on ending poverty is exactly what we need in these times.
They redistribute furniture and home goods to individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness or to those simply living without life’s necessities. Their
goal is to help families start anew with dignity and hope.
If you have furniture you would like to donate for families in need, click the "Get involved" button below.
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The youth team-building activities, interactive games, and robotics lessons are critical to their thinking skills and will give them more confidence when school begins this fall.
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It was a pleasure to participate in the Ward 8 Faith Leaders Breakfast Meeting this past Saturday, where I discussed my recent work and addressed community concerns.
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DC DMV provides several groups of individuals with non-driver identification cards free of charge. The categories and requirements to receive a free non-driver ID are outlined below. For more information, call the DMV at (202) 737-4404.
Seniors 65 Years and Older
District residents who are 65 years and older receive their non-driver identification card free of charge (both original and renewals). You must submit proof of identity, Social Security number and residency to DC DMV.
Recent Returning Citizens
District residents who were released from prison within the last six months are eligible to receive a non-driver identification card free of charge. You must submit proof of identity to DC DMV.
Click here
for the list of acceptable documents.
Homeless Residents
District residents who are homeless, as certified by an approved social service provider, are eligible to receive a non-driver identification card free of charge. You must submit the
required
proof of identity to DC DMV. You also must submit completed Proof of Residency and No Fee Identification Card forms, which you can obtain from certified social service agencies approved by the
DC Department of Human Services
.
For purposes of this free ID, “homeless” is defined as an individual lacking a fixed, regular residence or someone who has a primary nighttime residence that is in a shelter, transitional housing, or outside. “Resident” refers to an individual or family who lives in the District voluntarily and not for a temporary purpose. Applicants who intend to stay long-term in the District are considered residents.
Information on the documents you will need as proof of identity, Social Security number, or residency for either type of non-driver identification card is available through the links below.
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Saturday, July 21
Canvassing | 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. | Ward 2
Thursday, July 26
Ward 2 Meet & Greet | 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. | Duke's Grocery | 1513 17th Street, NW
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PLEASE CONTACT ME OR ANYONE ON MY TEAM
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I hope you enjoyed this month's edition of my newsletter. If you have any questions or need to bring an issue to my attention, please call my office at (202) 724-8174 or reach out to my team.
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Robert C. White, Jr. Councilmember, At-Large | Council of the District of Columbia
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