Dear Ward 8 Residents,

It has been a long and hot summer. However, through it all, we hosted Resources to the Block (RTTB) initiative throughout Ward 8. I established this initiative as a way to bring supportive services directly to the community.

This summer, we hosted over a dozen pop-ups. Our community partners offered various resources: free health screenings and HIV testing, free fruit and vegetables, career opportunities, legal advice, tenant rights, and more.

The RTTB is an opportunity for my staff and me to connect with residents to understand the community's needs and where we can fill in the gaps.

As we turn the corner into fall and return to legislative session, I plan to take the information we collected this summer and create policies to support the initiatives that residents asked for.

Ward 8, I heard your public safety concerns, the desire for more recreation, amenities, cleaner streets, and assistance with back rent and utilities. My team and I are compiling a comprehensive plan to address the community's critical needs. I stand with you in finding solutions to make Ward 8 better, safer, and one of the best places to live within the District.

A huge thank you from my team and me, to the community partners. Their commitment to Resources to the Block was invaluable. We look forward to working with them again soon.
Trayon White, Sr.
Councilmember, Ward 8

Mayor Bowser and DPR Extend Select Pool and Spray Park Hours Through September 21

(WASHINGTON, DC) – This week, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced extended operating hours at select outdoor pools and spray parks until September 21, due to expected high temperatures. Previously, all outdoor pools and spray parks were scheduled to close for the season on Labor Day, September 4.

"This week, Mayor Bowser issued a hot weather emergency and we also know that hot temperatures in the area persist until late September, so the District will help residents stay safe and cool by keeping select pools and spray parks open until the end of summer,” said Thennie Freeman, DPR Acting Director. “The locations that will remain open were selected to be most equitable to residents with one pool on both sides of the city and spray parks in nearly every ward."

The following outdoor pools will remain open six days a week per their summer operating schedule until Thursday, September 21:
* Hearst Pool (3701 37th Street, NW)
* Oxon Run Pool (501 Mississippi Avenue, SE)

For complete details, visit [link removed] ([link removed]) .

The following select spray parks will be open daily from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. until Thursday, September 21:
* Columbia Heights CC Spray Park (1480 Girard St NW)
* Harrison Spray Park (1330 V Street, NW)
* Park at LeDroit Spray Park (319 Oakdale Place, NW)
* Kennedy Spray Park (1401 7th Street, NW)
* Chevy Chase Rec Spray Park (5500 41st Street, NW)
* Guy Mason Spray Park (3600 Calvert Street, NW)
* Macomb Spray Park (3409 Macomb Street, NW)
* Lafayette-Pointer Spray Park (5900 33rd Street, NW)
* Petworth Spray Park (801 Taylor Street, NW)
* Edgewood Spray Park (301 Franklin Street, NE)
* Takoma Spray Park (300 Van Buren Street, NW)
* Turkey Thicket Spray Park (1100 Michigan Avenue, NE)
* Eastern Market Metro Spray Park (701 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE)
* Watkins Spray Park (420 12th St SE)
* Fort Davis Spray Park (1400 41st Street, SE)
* Hillcrest Spray Park (3100 Denver Street, SE)
* Marvin Gaye at Division Avenue (Division & Foote Streets, SE)
* Marvin Gaye Spray Park (15 61st Street, NE)

For complete details, visit dpr.dc.gov/sprayparks ([link removed]) .

Should you have any additional questions or concerns please feel free to contact me at the email below or call our Customer Care Center during normal business hours at (202) 673-7647 or send an email to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .


Empower! is a quarterly newsletter for families affected by violence in the District of Columbia. It is one effort to enhance communication with you. Communication when implemented effectively works wonders. It reduces barriers and increases the opportunity for understanding. Open communication gives a sense of control in an otherwise out of control situation. The Victim Services Branch aims to share what’s going on related to victim services not just in the Metropolitan Police Department, but also with those whom we work closely with. Our hope is that Empower! meets your expectation in keeping you abreast on very personal issues. Through Empower!, the Metropolitan Police Department is empowering lives, one survivor at a time.

CLICK the link to see the latest edition and others: [link removed] ([link removed])
Metro Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Changes at Congress Heights Station

Metro is proposing changes to transit facilities at Congress Heights Metrorail Station ([link removed]) to improve access to the historic St. Elizabeths East Campus and to support future mixed-use development. The proposed changes include reconfiguration of the bus loop, extension of 13th Street SE, reduction of the 63 Kiss & Ride spaces to eight spaces, and relocation of the Kiss & Ride lot to an on-street facility.

The changes would provide a new entrance to St. Elizabeths East Campus and be completed with funding from D.C.’s Office for the Deputy Mayor for Planning for Economic Development (DMPED). Proposed modifications to Congress Heights’s transit facilities also advance Metro’s Strategic Transformation Plan ([link removed])  goals by increasing ridership, generating fares and tax revenue that support Metro and local jurisdictions—all while fostering sustainable, local, and regional growth. Reconfiguring the Congress Heights Station bus loop and Kiss & Ride will also improve access to
Metro and spur additional mixed-use development in the area that increases housing affordability and maximizes economic development.

Additionally, the proposed modifications follow recommendations from the District of Columbia’s Congress Heights Small Area Plan (2022) and St. Elizabeths East Master Plan and Design Guidelines (2012). In 2019, the District set a goal to create 36,000 new housing units by 2025 and adopted an update to the Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map in 2021.

There are two ways you can provide feedback:

* Submit your comments online and/or upload documents by visiting wmata.com/plansandprojects ([link removed]) by 5 p.m. Thursday, October 5, 2023.
* Participate in the Open House and Public Hearing:
+ In-person: Monday, September 25, 2023 Open House begins at 6 p.m. and Public Hearing begins at 6:30 p.m. RISE Demonstration Center 2730 Martin Luther Ling Jr Ave SE, Washington, DC 20032
+ By phone: Dial 206-899-2028 and enter meeting code 114 471 961#
+ By video: Advance registration is required. To register, email [email protected] or call 202-962-2511 by 11 a.m. the day of the public hearing.

If you do not want to provide testimony but still want to watch or listen to the Public Hearing, you may watch or listen to the public hearings live at YouTube.com/MetroForward ([link removed]) . Video of the hearings will also be archived at YouTube.com/MetroForward
([link removed]) .

Need Utility Assistance?

Consumers who are having a problem with their utility services to act sooner rather than later. Don’t wait to apply for financial assistance. With a new fiscal year beginning October 1, consumers receiving aid will need to reapply. Here’s the link ([link removed]) .

If you are behind on your utility bills, or have a complaint against a utility company, don’t hesitate to contact the Office of the People’s Counsel at (202) 727-3071. We stand ready to advocate, educate, and protect!

ADVISORY: The energy assistance centers located at 2100 Martin Luther King Avenue SE & 1207 Taylor Street NW are accepting limited in-person appointments. Applicants must have an appointment to come to the energy assistance centers. To schedule an in-person appointment, please call 311 (202-737-4404). Walk-ins will not be accepted. Applicants may also apply online at ECOS ([link removed]) or by faxing their completed and signed application to 202-671-0802 if you live in Wards 1-6 or 202-673-6725 if you live in Wards 6,7 & 8.


** Services for Income Eligible Residents
------------------------------------------------------------
* Receive Help Paying Your Energy Bills (LIHEAP) ([link removed])
* Receive Discounts on Your Utility Bills (UDP) ([link removed])
* Receive Help Paying Your DC Water Bill (LIHWAP) or Discounts on Your DC Water Bill (CRIAC) ([link removed])
* Receive Assistance Replacing Your Partial Lead Service Line (LPRAP) ([link removed])
* Make Your Home More Energy Efficient with the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) ([link removed])
* Reduce Your Electric Bill with Solar for All (SfA) ([link removed])
* Receive Assistance Reducing Lead Paint in Your Home (EERP) ([link removed])


On Wednesday, September 6, the Committee of the Whole held a hearing on two food service contracts before the Councill between DCPS and SodexeoMagic and Gordon foods. The contracts are valued at over $30 million dollars for the upcoming school year.

In the last decade, much has been said about the quality of the food served in DCPS schools, issues with the contracting and procurement processes, whether local businesses can fulfill all or a portion of the food service contracts, and whether DCPS should attempt to establish an in-house food program.

At the September 6 hearing, many witnesses testified to the poor quality of foods and the need to reform the contracting and procurement processes involving food service in the District.

Additionally, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), which is responsible for signing off on the legal sufficiency on agreements entered by the District’s executive agencies, has indicated that the proposed contracts for the upcoming school year are legally insufficient. Without OAG approval, the contracts cannot be approved by the Council. This means that these contracts must be bid again, and food service for the upcoming school year must be re-negotiated. This is not to say that there will not be any food service for the upcoming year- DCPS has been administering food services without the approval of the food service contracts of the Council for at least two years. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Monday, September 11, 2023, 9:30 a.m.

To Testify
The public should sign up at [link removed]. ([link removed]. )

Hybrid in Room 500 and Virtual via Zoom

To Watch Live:
* [link removed]
* [link removed]
* [link removed]

People can sign up to testify through this link:
[link removed]
Photo credit: WTOP News
[link removed]

The fall 2023 school year has begun and students have returned to school. Subsequently, the Department of Parks and Recreation has begun Fall registration for afterschool programs. Eligible families can receive up to 75% off of all fee-based programs. Programs include swimming, tennis, Wee Play, Enrichment Zone, Roving Leaders and afterschool meals among other activities and programs. For more information visit their website: [link removed]

DC Public Library is teaming up with the Washington Mystics to share some books that will help students get excited for another fun year of learning! Read about other students who are heading back to school, build your basketball skills to try out for the team, dive into the history of the sport and do fun projects that explore the science and math of basketball! For more information visit their website: [link removed]
Councilmember White meets with students of Serenity Management.

August 31, 2023

Councilmember Trayon White joined Serenity Management in partnership with DOES for its final day of property management, administrative training, and job placement course for DC residents.

This accelerated 3 week course offered training in fair housing, marketing, financial accounting, turnover coordination, resident retention and more. To register, DC residents can text “Training Program” to 202-754-6645 or email [email protected].

College Track Southeast DC is recruiting high school freshman.

August 30, 2023

Have you heard about College Track D.C. Metro Area ([link removed][0]=AZXzFElcNl1yTM-z726fV1mfWREVIxwYsTfxcX0KKFojCkBOi4AOLr5xIZHwXC8hXJP_CPIOn0PkWNFiPWHAbEvrFksDyAc6HTKtTVRKr3FCfztO6LsDigs3tz9xUBCW7nTU-Erb-4ccyZ0QrCc1242aNQZPYc1ik0zo4oKF_JZnFN5UAukG1L38_u1PKWYdxjY&__tn__=-]K-R) ? Councilmember White joined College Track DC for its Welcome Back Night — welcoming the Class of 2024 scholars.

In partnership with Anacostia High School, Bard High School Early College, Ballou High School, Friendship Tech Prep Public Charter School, and Thurgood Marshall Academy, students apart of College Track DC are prepared to rewrite the college completion story for students within the Southeast D.C. community.

This is a free program now recruiting high school freshmen to join its program.

Get connected now : [link removed] ([link removed][0]=AT0FmV36AP52doasVfSyWt8yiEnPXqt-geZhPTl1reArOt5UYH6ZP9-2bEemQs-8o5NeYhMy0fVxkHFarbZA2uDeolTs_YKyo-7TA6I-XEq250Qi1yC3_54wcvX0d-q-_SMmOcnII_mY6qYTOaVVPrx2JFp4mi9XsURSzbdwSNbtEywIQNrPVkSuhWa14l6gc1d7TPNGPqjo7Yo)

[link removed]


** Quick Links
------------------------------------------------------------
* Check out the 2020 Ward 8 Progress Report ([link removed])
* Check out the 2021 Ward 8 Progress Report ([link removed])
* Check out the 2022 Ward 8 Progress Report ([link removed])
* Visit our website w ([link removed]) ww.trayonwhite8.com ([link removed])
* CM White's Social Media Facebook ([link removed]) | Instagram ([link removed]) | Twitter ([link removed])

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** Twitter ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Website ([link removed])

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Council of the District of Columbia . 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW . Suite 400 . Washington, DC 20004 . USA