Raising a family in Columbia Heights

[Ferdelance]

[broNat]

In general our Us/Them attitude is too high for a community with so diverse living so close to each other. We have not made enough progress in balancing this out. Part of it is political in that folk are rewarded in this Ward politically for staying in Us/Them silos.

An example is this was in the horrible shooting of the 9 year on Sat. You will notice that the time was taken out to point out that the boy was Latino in one of the first messages. Why, so government/political structure remains the gatekeeper of civic involvement. This is why I have a problem with most earmarks in the Ward.

We have gone too far with in mixing up being a civically minded good neighbor with being a consumer of government services. What makes communities strong, safe with a high quality of life is not soo much strong government institutions but strong civic ones. Not based soo much on what we can get, but what we share in common.

What we need is something like the famous Kennedy quote, "It's not what Columbia Heights to do for you, but what you can do for Columbia Heights".

In terms of approach, stopping letting politicians so easily co-op community efforts.

[broNat]

THURSDAY 11 AM: Rally to SAVE CHILD CARE! & MONDAY: Action Planning Meeting

Thursday, November 19th
11 AM
Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Ave, NW

Community-Based Child Care Centers Develop Children & Families
* Prepare Children for Life with a Solid Foundation
*Empower Families for Full Participation in Family, Education & Career
*Provide Career Path for Employees

WHY ARE CHILD CARE PROVIDERS RALLYING?
Providers of Affordable Child Care Can Barely Keep Their Doors Open - Many Long-Time Providers have Already Closed
Providers who Participate in the Child Care Subsidy Program are Being Paid Well-Below Market Rate by the City
The City Has Cut $22 Million from the Child Care Subsidy Program Budget & Implemented Policies that Are Declining Enrollment at Community-Based Centers
Child Care Providers Need Support from the City, So that They Can Continue to Provide Badly Needed Services in our Community!

RSVP to Parisa@empowerdc.org or (202) 234-9119
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Calling All Child Care Providers & Families!

ATTEND: Action Planning Meeting
DC Coalition to Save Child Care

Monday, November 23rd

6:30-8:30 PM

Rehoboth Baptist Church
621 Alabama Ave., SE

Congress Heights Metro (Green Line) - W4/A6/M9 Bus - Parking
(Child care and a light dinner will be provided.)

UNITE & FIGHT the Assault on CHILD CARE!




o Insufficient Funding for Child Care Subsidies



o Closing of Community-Based Centers



o Closing of Department of Parks & RecCenters



o Lack of Facilities for Children with Special Needs



o Long Wait Lists for Your RIGHT to Child Care



o …Come Share YOUR Concerns and Prepare for Action!



RSVP to parisa@empowerdc.org or (202) 234-9119 - include the # of children you will be bringing if you require child care


Parisa B. Norouzi
Executive Director
EMPOWER DC
1419 V St, NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 234-9119

[jrenaut]

Bronat - thanks for the invitation to put our time where are mouths are.