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WASHINGTON - Mayor Vincent Gray has announced a new job training initiative to encourage employers to hire and retrain workers from the District.
In the One City On-the-Job Training Employment Initiative, the District's Department of Employment Services will preselect and screen eligible job seekers. Employers who participate in the initiative and hire eligible District residents will be reimbursed of 50 percent or more of a new hire's gross wages during their training period.
City officials say many employers cannot afford the major business expense of retraining workers and the program will help employers offset most of the retraining costs.
The program is aided by a $627,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Brenda Jones was lauded by the D.C. Lottery for her years of public service./Photo courtesy of the D.C. LotteryDistrict resident Brenda Jones has been awarded the D.C. Lottery's first Gold Community Service Award. Jones received the honor on Aug. 2 in recognition of more than 30 years of dedicated service to children and families in her Southeast neighborhood.
A native Washingtonian, Jones experienced the uniqueness and joy of growing up in the nation's capital. However, the deaths of two of her brothers to street violence would bring a devastating pain, striking a chord that committed her to work with families affected by substance abuse, child abuse, and community neglect, according to a statement issued by the Lottery.
"Living on the property, [where the Parklands Community Center is located] I contacted the owner and asked if there was a space that I could use to help people who needed it," Jones recalled in the statement. "I'd leave my job and open up the space and just be here. We grew from there."
The Center, which has been a staple in its community for the past 31 years, is now a viable multiservice organization with office space at THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave., S.E.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The District has received an $8.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the planning and implementation of efforts that will result in a certified District of Columbia Health Insurance Exchange program by January 2014.
The announcement for the Exchange Establishment grant, which was made Aug. 15 by officials for the District Department of Health Care Finance (DHCFT), will be used to update data and information for use in a preliminary planning effort for the program.
"We are delighted that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has recognized our efforts to implement an affordable health insurance exchange for District residents," said DHCFT Director Wayne Turnage. "Mayor [Vincent] Gray's Health Reform Implementation Committee and staff have been working hard to gain the input of District residents, small businesses and stakeholders as we move towards submitting our recommendations to the mayor."
As of Aug 12, thirteen states and the District of Columbia have been collectively awarded more than $185 million in Exchange Establishment grants
Baker has earmarked $2 million in his current budget for community partnership projects./Courtesy PhotoUpper Marlboro, Md. – Prince George's County Executive Rushern L. Bakern III has announced the release of an FY 2012 Community Partnership Mini-Grant (CPMG) and the process for Community Partnership Grant (CPG) applications. Money for the grant, for which $2 million has been allocated, will be derived from Baker's current fiscal year budget.
Funding to eligible organizations will assist in developing and maintaining strong partnerships with non-profits in order to meet the needs of county citizens and residents, according to an Aug. 15 statement issued by Baker's office. The Prince George's County Office of Management and Budget will administer the grant process.
"Our non-profit organizations provide critical services across Prince George's County, usually to our most needy citizens," said Baker. "My Administration looks forward to expanding this partnership by offering much needed monetary assistance to our non-profit community."
CPMG is targeted toward requests involving one-time projects or activities that are less than $15,000, while CPG requests of $15,000 or more will support mid-term to long-term organizational goals for non-profit organizations.
Any organization, institution or association incorporated as a private, not-for-profit organization designated under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, providing services or activities in Prince George's County is eligible to apply. Applications will be accepted continuously through the County's fiscal year (July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012).
A search by the U.S. Coast Guard and the District's Fire Hazardous Materials Unit for an oily substance in the Anacostia River has yielded no significant results.
The search of the river that continued in the vicinity of Kingman Island, was prompted late on Aug. 15 after the fire department was dispatched to look into a fuel spill. Officials believe the 
spill initially began at the 11th Street Bridge and New York Ave. before spreading to Bladensburg Rd.
"We're in the process of developing a strategy for cleanup at this point," Christophe Toulu, director for the District Department of the Environment, told the Washington Informer. "We are determining what it is," he said, adding that "[fire officials] think [the spill covers] about a four- to six-mile area of the river."
Mayor Vincent C. Gray and officials from public safety and transportation agencies today outlined their efforts to coordinate logistical planning to ensure that the hundreds of thousands of visitors expected for the events surrounding the Aug. 28 dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial enjoy a safe and pleasant experience in the nation's capital.
"The District is sponsoring three major public events to celebrate the dedication of the Memorial and issue a call to action to realize Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream of full democracy and freedom for our residents," said Mayor Gray. "Tuesday, August 23, is D.C. Residents Day at the Memorial. Thursday, August 25, we will celebrate with a street-naming ceremony and Saturday, August 27, we will host the D.C. Full Democracy Freedom March."
Gray joined Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles and other transportation, public safety and public health officials to outline plans and answer questions about the events.
"The dedication of a new monument on the National Mall is an historic occasion," said Sarles. "We are going to do everything in our power to ensure a safe, comfortable, convenient travel experience for our guests."
Sarles announced that Metrorail will open two hours early for the massive dedication ceremony on Sun., Aug. 28, with enhanced rail service on all lines to provide extra capacity. In addition, Metro will suspend track work systemwide over the dedication weekend to provide attendees with a faster, more convenient travel experience.
ILocal and federal officials are still trying to identify a substance found floating in the Anacostia River earlier this week spanning from the 
Irv Sheffey/Courtesy Photo11th Street Bridge to the bridge on New York Ave., with authorities having launched a collaborative effort to aid in the cleanup.
On Aug. 16, Mayor Vincent Gray issued a statement saying he was very concerned.
"Anything that poses a threat to the overall health and welfare of our citizens and our wildlife is of great concern to me and deserves immediate attention."
What could an environmental incident like this mean for residents?
The Washington Informer talked exclusively with Irv Sheffey, environmental justice organizer at Sierra Club to find out:
What kind of health concerns could this incident pose for residents of Washington, D.C .?
Sadly, we don't fully know at this time as to the source and nature of the substance that was floating along the Anacostia. Originally, a spokesperson from the DC Fire Department was said to have described that 50 to 100 gallons of an oil product could be seen in the river on Monday (Aug. 15) when first reported. The US Coast Guard was called in to support DC Fire's EMS Unit in assessing the problem and containing it. On Tuesday morning, the Coast Guard said there was no oil or chemical spill in the waters of the Anacostia. So at this point, we are unclear as to what risk this apparent spill might pose to public health. The investigation is not over and we may learn more in the next few days.
What we do know is this is not the first incident of this kind. Just five years ago 600 tons of coal was accidentally dumped in the river when 10 CSX train cars were derailed, falling in while crossing the Anacostia near the Pennsylvania Ave. Sousa Bridge. The public's health was not directly affected, but the river overall, suffered another blow --one that was not needed as we work on its restoration. In addition, more than a billion gallons of raw sewage enters the river annually with every rain or snow melt of a half inch or more.
Twenty thousand tons of trash floats down the river each year as well. Though the jury is still out in this current instance, D.C. residents should be aware that they have been exposed to hazardous materials for several years and little has been done to address it.
There are several legacy, long term, toxic sites along the Anacostia River that are known or strongly suspected as being sources of chemical pollution affecting the land and water and possibly the health of our residents. Three of these sites, PEPCO's Benning Road Power Plant, the former Kenilworth Landfill, now a part of Kenilworth Park ,both in far Northeast and a site previously owned by Washington Gas near boathouse row on the western edge of the river in Southeast are of major concern. People live a stone's throw from each of these sites and several others of concern. As we investigate this current situation, we need to also address these long term sources of pollution and once and for all clean them up!
Irv Sheffey has served as a caseworker advocating for the homeless and as a youth advocate in Washington, DC. Working to improve service delivery in nonprofits and the public sector, Sheffey has consulted in training staff and administrators in supervisory, managerial, team-building and other human development skills.
Sheffey earned a Master of Science degree in environmental studies from Antioch New England graduate school, and is a self-trained naturalist. He volunteered as a docent with the New York Botanical Garden, leading tours of their forest for children and adults. He loves trees and first connected with the Sierra Club while planting hundreds of trees throughout Washington, D.C. as a Citizen Forester with the Casey Trees Endowment.
Information about the Sierra Club is available online www.Sierraclub.org
Check back on Washingtoninformer.com for more of our exclusive conversation with Sheffey.
Prince George's County Named to 2011 Digital Counties Survey Top Ten List
Upper Marlboro, MD—Prince George's County has been named in the 2011 Digital Counties Survey as one of the top ten large counties in the nation for the use of information and communications technology. The survey focuses on results achieved through technology, particularly ways that counties are cutting costs and improving services through technological advancement. The County was ranked 6th among all counties with populations of 500,000 or more.
"I was excited to hear that Prince George's County has been recognized yet again for our efforts to promote transparency and efficiency through technology," said County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III. "This survey shows us how we've made our government better through technology, while giving us feedback on how we can continue improving services for our residents."
The Congressional Black Caucus is voicing frustration with President Barack Obama, citing that the nation's first African-American president has fallen short reducing joblessness blacks.
During a job fair this week in Atlanta, CBC member Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) noted unhappiness and rising anger among blacks at Obama. She said it's time for him to get tough with his Republican opposition and put together proposals that would be more beneficial to the poor -- particularly the African-American community.
"There is a growing frustration in this country and in minority communities because the unemployment rates are so high," Waters said. She also said that home foreclosures and the increasing wealth gap between blacks and whites has created discord in the black community.
"The president is going to have to fight and he is going to have to fight hard,' Waters said, referring to her party differences with the GOP over raising the debt ceiling.
"We were basically held up in raising the debt ceiling, until they got all of those budget cuts they demanded," Waters said. "We didn't raise any revenue and they didn't close any tax loopholes. I believe the Democratic Party and the president of the United States should not have backed down. We should have made them walk the plank."
Since Aug. 18, the 43-member CBC has been on its "For the People" jobs tour. The purpose of the five-city tour 
The CBC's resolution calls for more jobs for the poor and blacks./Courtesy Photois to promote the CBC's recent jobs resolution which calls for a comprehensive national initiative to create jobs among disadvantaged communities. Following the stop in Atlanta this weekend, the tour heads to Miami before traveling to Los for dates there Aug. 30-31.
"The Congressional Black Caucus loves the president, too. We're supportive of the president, but we're getting tired," Waters further stated. "We're getting tired. The unemployment is unconscionable."
Brandi Richard will lead NULYP for the 2011-13 term./Courtesy Photo
During its 2011 annual business meeting in Boston, Mass., the National Urban League Young Professionals (NULYP) elected officers for the 2011-2013 administrative term. Brandi Richard of Dallas, Texas, who has served as southern region vice president was elected national president.
"The Young Professionals are a vital and dynamic component of our Urban League Movement, and the fastest-growing," said Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League. "I'm excited to welcome this new slate of leaders, and I know under Brandi's capable leadership our Young Professionals will build upon its distinguished legacy of service to bring the Urban League Movement to new heights."
Other newly-appointed or elected officers are: Richard M. Badger, central region vice president, Milwaukee, Wis.; Rahshib A. Thomas, eastern region vice president, New York, NY; Karen N. Anderson, southern region vice president, Orlando, Fla.; Sean E. Bradley, western region vice president, Denver, Colo.; Rita D. Lassiter, secretary, Greenbelt, Md.; Pamela E. Perkins, treasurer, Lorton, Va.; Tiffany D. Thomas, policies and procedures chair Houston, TX; Kamilah Collins, communications chair, Dallas, Texas; Jameeka L. Green, information and technology chair, San Diego, Calif.; and Joe E. Randolph, programs chair, Charlotte, NC.
NULYP is active in more than 50 chapters across the country. More than 4,000 young professionals comprise its membership. NULYP provides programs and services that supports the National Urban League's five-point empowerment plan including the National Day of Service and the National Day of Empowerment. http://www.nulyp.net/
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