IN THIS NEWSLETTER: 

• Budget Wins
• Tomorrow - Healthy Communities Spring Cleaning
• McMillan Scholarship for Ward 5 Students
• Pools and Spray Parks Now Open on Weekends!
• June 4 - Public Hearings on Air Pollution and Disability Equity
• June 4 - DPR Ward 5 Project Updates Meeting
• June 11 - South Dakota Ave Walks with DDOT
• June 12 - Ivy City Pet Adoption Center Grand Opening
• ...and more!

As we inch closer to the Council's budget votes in June, a number of funding gaps still remain that my office is working to address. At the Council's budget work session on Wednesday, we talked through many of those concerns, including the gap between funding for DC Public Schools and Public Charter Schools, Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund, Childcare Subsidy funding, housing vouchers, healthcare funding including Alliance, Paid Family Leave, Family Success Centers, and the Credible Messengers program.

As you can see from that list, we have no shortage of challenges to address.

While we collaborate on these with Council colleagues in the coming weeks, I want to take a moment to highlight some of the important budget wins we've been proud to secure. Each of these wins reflects months (sometimes years!) of community advocacy, committee collaboration, and real investment in everyday Washingtonians. 

• Committee on Human Services
  • $33 million investment in a new Edgewood/Eckington library, which includes a $9 million enhancement to allow D.C. Public Library to sign a long-term lease  
  • $250K to establish FY27 retail grants for Rhode Island Avenue and 12th Streets NE as well as dedicated funds to advance priorities identified by my office's Rhode Island Avenue Task Force
    
    
• Committee on Transportation and the Environment
  • $750K in capital funds for quick-build safety interventions on Rhode Island Avenue to complement the Mayor’s proposed $9 million investment in a long-term capital project to improve the corridor
  • $750K in additional funds for construction of the South Dakota Avenue Corridor Safety Project
  • $430K in capital funds to begin the design of a trail connection between the Metropolitan Branch Trail at Fort Totten and the planned Prince George's County Connector Trail 
  • Preserved the Mayor’s proposed investments, including:
    • Funding for trail improvements including the Arboretum Bridge and Trail (Arboretum Bridget to Maryland Avenue) Connection, and new funding for the design of the off-street Metropolitan Branch Trail Alignment between First Place NE and Oglethorpe Street NW
    • Full funding ($57.5 million over the Capital Improvement Plan) for the Bladensburg streetscape project, including $5.5 million for the design phase in FY27 (construction in FY 30-31);
    • Full funding ($55 million) for reconstruction of the New York Avenue NE Bridge in FY 30
    • Full funding ($50 million) for a new entrance to the NoMA-Gallaudet Metrorail Station (FY27-28)
    • $9 million for the New York Avenue streetscape project in FY 28-29 to begin a long term redesign of the corridor
    • $5.8 million for design phase of the existing North Capitol Street streetscape project (Massachusetts Ave to Michigan Ave)
    • $3.6 million in new funding to launch a streetscape project for the northern segment on North Capitol Street (Michigan Ave to Kansas Ave)
      
      
• Committee on Facilities
  • Secured an additional $14.5 million for Langdon Park and Community Center modernization to ensure the project meets community needs
    • Established a Budget Support Act subtitle to ensure DPR makes community-supported design decisions at Langdon Recreation Center and Harry Thomas Recreation Center
  • Preserved the Mayor’s proposed $11.6 million investment in Turkey Thicket Recreation Center (FY 27-29) to address aging infrastructure and improve functionality. Planned upgrades include replacing damaged doors, flooring, ceiling tiles, and corroded aquatic components, installing a new security system, and reconfiguring interior spaces to increase accessibility, efficiency, and community use. 
  • Secured an initial $1 million investment in New York Avenue Recreation Center (FY28)
  • Preserved small enhancement to fully fund the Crummell Community Center, which is already under construction
    
    
• Committee on Health
  • $1.5 million to help fund the expansion of Food & Friends, which will help them serve more neighbors in Ward 5 and across DC
    
    
• Committee on Public Works
  • Recurring funding for two public restrooms in Ward 5 at Alethia Tanner Park (Eckington) and Starburst Plaza (Carver-Langston)
    
    
• Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety
  • Secured funding to continue Safe Passage programs in Union Market, Eckington, NoMa, and Brookland.  
    
    
• Committee on Youth Affairs
  • Redirected $29 million toward a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility at New Beginnings (juvenile justice facility), addressing a critical treatment gap in the District, as well as modernizing the Langdon Park Community Center and the New York Avenue Recreation Center
  • $1.35 million for Safe Shores, the District’s coordinator of child sexual abuse investigations
  • $975K in FY27 to fund three Family Success Centers (Congress Heights, Deanwood, Carver-Langston)
  • $500K for the Credible Messengers program in FY27
  • $500K to the Committee of the Whole to create a new independent DYRS facilities oversight body under the Council
  • $385K in FY27 to fully pre-fund implementation of SOUL Amendment Act
  • $150K one-time enhancement in FY27 for hiring incentive bonuses at CFSA
  • Fully funding the Strengthening Transparency and Capacity at DYRS Amendment Act of 2025 to preserve DYRS population data reporting, standardize juvenile recidivism metrics across agencies, and direct the Mayor to produce an action plan to reduce the overcrowding at the Youth Services Center
    
    
• Committee of the Whole
  • Preserved the Mayor’s proposed DCPS modernizations, including:
    • $114 million for the modernization of Langley ES (construction in FY29-30)
    • $97.5 million for the modernization of Bunker Hill ES (construction in FY 28-29)
  • $3 million to install central air conditioning at Wheatley Education Campus and working on reallocating an additional $5 million
  • Preserved funding for the expansion of the Advanced Technical Center in Eckington, which will include a new pediatric urgent care facility in partnership with Children’s National
  • Preserved the Mayor’s proposed investment in the Bryant Street Phase 2 TIF (tax increment financing)
    
    

This list isn't exhaustive, but it gives an overview of the many investments we are working to secure on everything from parks and recreation, to traffic safety, to business development, to education, to public safety and more. More to come!

Clean-ups and Community Meetings

Tomorrow is the Healthy Communities Spring Cleaning event! If you haven't yet, there's still time to sign up to join a site near you here. My team will join ANCs, civic associations, and community organizations at clean-up sites across Ward 5 to help keep our neighborhoods beautiful. The forecast couldn't be better, so why not spend an hour or two outside tomorrow connecting with neighbors and giving back to the community? Hope to see you there!

I also want to remind neighbors of important upcoming community meetings where your presence and feedback are requested. On June 4, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will hold their next Ward 5 Projects Update meeting. Join to learn about DPR's capital projects across the Ward. On June 11, my office will join the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) for two walks along South Dakota Ave as they share the two segments slated for construction as part of the South Dakota Ave Corridor Safety Project. You can find more details, including how to register, for these and other community meetings in the Ward 5 Updates section of the newsletter below.

Director of Constituent Services, Oliver Stoute, with Woodridge neighbors John Hampton, Sandra Wojahn,

and Jeremiah Montague during the 2025 Healthy Communities Spring Cleaning event.

public safety updates; Notices of Intent modifying traffic/parking requirements in Ward 5; the next Ward 5 Updates Meeting with the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) on June 4; news about pools and spray parks now open on weekends; details about a scholarship available to Ward 5 students; hearings on bills I introduced in the Committee on Transportation and the Environment on June 4; the Ivy City Pet Adoption Center grand opening on June 11; ANC and civic association meeting recaps; legislative updates in Neferteria's Nook; updates from the Committee on Youth Affairs; programs to benefit from featuring the return of FREE veggie giveaways at Edgewood Rooftop Farm on Tuesdays; and community events including Riggs Park Day tomorrow! Keep scrolling for more.

On Monday, my office was closed in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. Memorial Day had its origins in our country’s bitter Civil War—first celebrated by freedmen who honored the memory of Union soldiers who had died in a Confederate prison camp. As we marked another Memorial Day for our country’s fallen—those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms—my hope is that we may honor their memory by truly committing ourselves to peace.

On Tuesday, I had several meetings with District leaders—including Attorney General Brian Schwalb—neighbors, and advocates to discuss remaining issues in the FY27 budget and priorities for closing funding gaps. 

Tuesday evening, my team joined Minnie Elliott and other Brookland Manor leaders at a Ranked Choice Voting training for neighbors. With early voting starting on June 8 and the election on June 16, now is the time to prepare to vote!

Wednesday, the Council met informally for our budget work session. Each committee presented their proposal, members asked questions, and we tackled some of the bigger issues facing the FY27 budget. This annual work session takes all day and it's in the weeds, but it's the nexus of our budget decision-making and the "woodshop" of moving the proposal in the right direction. You can read more about the session in Neferteria's Nook below.

Yesterday morning, my team stopped by the Resource Fair at 900 Rhode Island Ave NE, hosted by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) to connect with residents and share resources. It was a perfect day to be outside!

Yesterday and today have also continued this week's theme of budget meetings with colleagues, advocates, and agency leaders as we prepare for the budget vote on June 9 and address outstanding funding needs. If there are programs or projects you want to see funded, now is the time to speak up and emphasize those priorities to Councilmembers. You can reply to this email and share your thoughts to make sure my team is tracking your budget asks. 

My office has been in touch with MPD about two shootings that occured last weekend in Ward 5. The first took place on Sunday afternoon, May 24 in the 1300 block of Saratoga Ave NE. No one was injured, but MPD recovered around 30 shell casings. The second shooting occurred in the early morning hours of Monday, May 25 in the 3200 block of 8th St NE outside the Hanover 8th St Apartments. An adult male victim was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. It is believed that the victim and perpetrator are known to each other. My team will continue to coordinate with our public safety agencies on these cases to ensure they are closed. 

You can find the latest crime statistics using MPD's Crime Cards here. Toggle the variables at the top of the page to zoom in on your own neighborhood. Don't see a public safety incident covered in this newsletter that you have questions about? Please always feel free to reach out to my office directly anytime by phone (202-724-8028) or email (ward5contact@dccouncil.gov).

17 public pools and 35 public splash parks are now open in the District! On weekends until Monday, June 22 (when pools open daily), bring your DC ID for free access to fun in the sun at DPR's pools. View locations and schedules here.

Earlier this year, neighbors in ANC 5E including in Stronghold and Bloomingdale raised important concerns regarding the accessibility, transparency, and distribution of scholarships associated with the Reservoir District's Community Benefits Agreement (CBA). The terms of the CBA specify that the developer is to distribute these scholarship benefits to The Community Foundation. When I dug deeper to track where the money was going, my team and I learned that Ward 5 students weren't benefiting as they should. The Community Foundation was giving all the money to Trinity University—but not necessarily Ward 5 students. While there was a lack of specificity in the CBA about how The Community Foundation was to distribute the scholarships, neighbors agreed that the current implementation was misaligned with the original intent of the scholarship to serve Ward 1 and Ward 5 students broadly. We proposed a new, community-led structure, which The Community Foundation agreed to and has since implemented. The revamped application process is live now, and neighbors are encouraged to learn more about the requirements and apply until applications close on June 29! This is a win for Ward 5 and a testament to community advocacy and collaboration.

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) advises stakeholders to expect delays due to upcoming sidewalk closures for work related to the DC Power Line Undergrounding (DC PLUG) initiative. There will be no full roadway closure; however, sidewalks and lanes will be restricted during work hours. Sidewalks, roads, and lane closures are listed below and will take place from June 1 to 30, 2026, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

• Temporary northbound and southbound sidewalk, lane, and road closures for the installation of manholes, Transformer Enclosures, and Tapholes from the 2700 to3200 blocks of 13th Street NE from Kearney Street NE to Rhode Island Avenue NE
• Temporary eastbound and westbound sidewalk, lane, and road closure for installation of manholes, Transformer Enclosures, and Tapholes from the 1200-1300 blocks of Jackson Street NE from 12th Street NE to 14th Street NE
• Temporary eastbound and westbound sidewalk, lane, and road closure for installation of manholes, Transformer Enclosures, and Tapholes from the 1200 block of Irving Street NE from 12th Street NE to 13th Street NE
• Temporary southbound and westbound sidewalk, lane, and road closure for installation of manholes, Transformer Enclosures, and Tapholes from the 1200-1300 blocks of Hamlin Street NE from 12th Street NE to 13th Street NE
• Temporary northbound and southbound sidewalk, lane, and road closure for installation of manholes, Transformer Enclosures, and Tapholes from the 3000 blockof 12th Street NE from Irving Street NE to Hamlin Street NE
• Temporary eastbound and westbound sidewalk, lane, and road closure for installation of manholes, Transformer Enclosures, and Tapholes from the 1200-1300 blocks of Girard Street NE from 12th Street NE to 14th Street NE
• Temporary eastbound and westbound sidewalk, lane, and road closure for installation of manholes, Transformer Enclosures, and Tapholes from the 1200-1300 blocks of Franklin Street NE from 12th Street NE to 14th Street NE
• Temporary eastbound and westbound sidewalk, lane, and road closure for installation of manholes, Transformer Enclosures, and Tapholes from the 1300 block of Rhode Island Avenue NE from 13th Street NE to Montana Avenue NE
• Temporary eastbound and westbound sidewalk, lane, and road closures for installation of conduits, pavement restoration, including roadway base, sidewalk, curb/gutter installation, and Milling/Paving from the 2400 block of Evarts Street NE, from 24th Street NE to 26th Street NE
• Temporary eastbound and westbound sidewalk, lane, and road closure for installation of Tapholes, Transformer Enclosures, conduits, manholes, pavement restoration, including roadway base, sidewalk, curb, and gutter installation, from the 1900-2600 blocks of Franklin Street NE, from 19th Street NE to 27th Street NE
• Temporary eastbound and westbound sidewalk, lane, and road closure for installation of conduits, pavement restoration, including roadway base, sidewalk, curb/gutter installation, and Milling/Paving from the 2700 block of Vista Street NE, from 27th Street NE to South Dakota Avenue NE
• Temporary eastbound and westbound sidewalk, lane, and road closure for Milling/Paving from the 2800 block of 26th Street NE and 27th Street NE, fromFranklin Street NE to Hamlin Street NE

For more information about the DC PLUG Initiative and to stay up to date on traffic-related impacts and construction progress, please visit https://www.dcpluginfo.com/, call the DC PLUG team at 1-844-758-4146, or email DC PLUG at questions@DCPLUGinfo.com.

Join the Department of Public Works (DPW) for their FY27 Leaf Season information sessions and learn more about their seasonal employment opportunities. Sessions begin daily at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. In Ward 5, the sessions will take place on Monday, June 1 at the Edgewood Recreation Center (301 Franklin St NE). Please register to attend, and find more information here.

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is required to give written notice of their intent to modify traffic and/or parking requirements to the Council and affected Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners (ANCs) to allow for a public comment period on the modifications. The following Notices of Intent (NOIs) for Ward 5 are open for comment: 

• Closes for comment on June 8: Installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB), Installation of New Crosswalk and ADA Ramps at 1st Place NE and Galloway Street NE - Read and comment here (NOI-26-125-MSED)
  
  
• Closes for comment on June 29: All-Way Stop at Hamilton Street and Rock Creek Church Road NE/Fort Totten Drive NE - Read and comment here (NOI-26-158-PSD)
  
  
• Closes for comment on July 6: Revision to the Safety Treatment on Queens Chapel Road NE between Evarts Street and Douglas Street NE - Read and comment here (NOI-26-159-MSED)

Next week, there will be two hearings in the Committee on Transportation and the Environment featuring legislation I introduced. Check out the details below and sign up to testify or submit written testimony to let the committee know you support these bills!

• Eric's ID Law
  • Thursday, June 4 at 9:30 a.m.
    • Learn more here
  • This legislation would allow applicants for a license, permit, or identification card to choose to indicate on the document the applicant’s nonapparent disability. The bill serves to create more equity for disabled neighbors and protect those with hidden disabilities.
    
    
• Strengthening Air Pollution Permitting
  • Thursday, June 4 at 1:00 p.m.
    • Learn more here
  • This legislation would would close gaps in nuisance air pollution regulations and establish deadlines for responding to complaints. It would bolster civil penalties for violation of District air pollution permitting laws and regulations. It permits the Air Quality Construction Permits Fund to be used for environmental remediation. It also establishes enhanced permitting requirements and requires timely agency review of air quality permits.

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is hosting a public forum for DC residents to learn more about the development of the fiscal years 2026-2029 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and to comment on the project listings. The DC STIP is a federally required multi-year listing of all upcoming projects that will be funded with federal dollars. The most recent update to the DC STIP was completed in March 2023 and includes programming for fiscal years 2023-2026. It is continuously revised to reflect the District’s evolving needs. DDOT will release the draft 2026 – 2029 STIP for formal public review on May 15. The below meeting will be an opportunity to learn more about the development of the program and ask questions. The public comment period will close on Monday, June 22. To learn more about the project, please click here.

• June 4 - Virtual forum
  • 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
  • Click here

On June 4 at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom, join this virtual meeting to engage with the Department of Parks Recreation (DPR) and gain insight into construction projects coming to Ward 5 and ask questions. Register here.

• South Dakota Ave NE between Lawrence St and Rhode Island Ave
• South Dakota Ave NE between Hamlin St and Bladensburg Rd

DDOT invites neighbors to join DDOT staff and members of my office for community walks along these two segments to learn more about the proposed intersection safety treatments and ask questions. Please consider joining for one or both of these walks!

• June 11 at 9:00 a.m. - Lawrence to Rhode Island segment
  • Meet in the triangle/pocket park at Rhode Island Ave, 24th St, and South Dakota Ave NE
• June 11 at 4:00 p.m. - Hamlin to Bladensburg segment
  • Meet at the northwest corner of Hamlin St and South Dakota Ave NE

Please register to attend here. For more information on the project details please visit the project website. Councilmember Parker is currently working to secure additional funds in the FY 27 budget to move forward with safety improvements at other segments along the South Dakota Avenue corridor. 

The District's animal control and pet adoption services are now managed by Brandywine Valley SPCA. Join them in celebrating the grand opening of DC's newest adoption center, located in Ward 5. On Friday, June 12 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., you’re invited to visit the Ivy City Adoption Center at 1516 Okie Street NE for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and first look at this exciting new space. Tour the center, meet adoptable pets, and experience a facility thoughtfully designed to bring people and pets together. Adoption center hours will be Tuesday-Friday, 12:00 - 7:00 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The New York Ave Location is closing Sunday, May 31. All other public services, including lost and found pets, animal care and control, as well as wellness, spay & neuter, and community cat services at Brandywine Valley SPCA's low-cost Animal Health Center, will continue at the DC Village campus, located at 4 DC Village Lane in Southwest.

This week, my team attended the ANC 5A meeting. Here's a brief recap:

• ANC 5A (May 27 at 6:45 p.m.):
  • The commission shared draft letter feedback regarding the Office of Planning’s Future Land Use Map (FLUM) ahead of the June 7 deadline. Neighbors and commissioners will be meeting again next week to collaborate on finalizing their letter before submission. Commissioner Lucio (5A03) also provided updates on the Taylor Street Protected Bikeway Concept meeting, while Commissioner Sellars (5A01) shared updates regarding the status of the UDC Lamond-Riggs (formerly Bertie Backus) campus. My team gave updates on budget season at the Council, DPR's next Ward 5 Projects meeting, and open Notices of Intent in ANC 5A. 

Meetings my team will attend next week: 

• Monday, June 1
  • 6:00 p.m.
    • Lamond-Riggs Citizens' Association
  • 7:00 p.m.
    • Bates Area Civic Association
    • Stronghold Civic Association
      
      
• Tuesday, June 2
  • 7:30 p.m.
    • Fort Lincoln Civic Association
      
      
• Wednesday, June 3
  • 6:00 p.m.
    • Woodridge Civic Association (one-time day/time change) 
  • 7:00 p.m.
    • North Michigan Park Civic Association
      
      

You can always view the schedule of upcoming ANC and civic association meetings that my team will attend on my website here. Not sure which ANC is yours? Use this tool to look it up. We're here to help, so email us anytime with questions - ward5contact@dccouncil.gov. Have a need, or want to share important information for ANC and civic association meetings? Get in touch with one of our Constituent Services team members:

• 5B & 5E: Oliver Stoute, ostoute@dccouncil.gov
• 5A, 5C, & 5D: Andrianna Lovelace, alovelace@dccouncil.gov
• 5F: Anniyah Brown, abrown@dccouncil.gov

Neferteria Brown is Councilmember Parker's Legislative Director. In this section of the newsletter, she gives updates on the Council's legislative meetings, committee hearings, and information about the legislative process. Have questions? You can reach Neferteria at nbrown@dccouncil.gov.

On Wednesday, May 27, the full Council held a Budget Work Session which ran all day and late into the evening. This session allowed Councilmembers to discuss all of the budget adjustments made by their committees, including any new or amended legislation for the Budget Support Act. The Councilmembers also talked about outstanding budget priorities that should be addressed by the Committee of the Whole.  Those budget priorities included:

• Pay Equity Fund; 
• Child Care Subsidy funding;
• housing vouchers;
• Alliance improvements; and,
• Paid Family Leave funding, to name a few.

Councilmember Parker spoke to the changes made by the Committee on Youth Affairs, and outstanding priorities, which include funding for Family Success Centers and the Credible Messengers program, and the need for the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) to make placements for youth a much more efficient process. To view the Report and Recommendations on the FY27 Budget from the Committee on Youth Affairs, please click here under "Other Documents."

On Tuesday, June 2, the Council will have a Breakfast Meeting, Committee of the Whole Meeting, and Legislative Meeting. 

On Thursday, June 4, the Councilmember will see two of his introduced bills have public hearings:

• Eric's ID Amendment Act of 2026 (jointly introduced with Councilmember Lewis George) 
• Strengthening Air Pollution Permitting Amendment Act of 2026

You can always access the full Council calendar by clicking here.

On Tuesday, June 9, the Council will have its first vote on the budget, specifically the Fiscal Year 2027 Local Budget Act of 2026 and the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Support Act of 2026. The Council is also in the process of scheduling dates for public hearings on legislation during the month of June.

The next D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center Advice & Referral Clinic, scheduled for Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. will be held in person at:

The D.C. Bar
901 4th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001

This long-running program continues to connect community members with timely legal guidance and support. Please note that assistance with criminal record sealing will also be available on select clinic dates this year, including May 30. During the clinic, community members will be paired with volunteer attorneys for same-day, one-on-one consultations. Attorneys will provide free legal advice and brief services on civil legal matters governed by D.C. or federal law, including:

• Consumer law (including bankruptcy)
• Employment law
• Family law (including civil protection orders)
• Housing law
• Personal injury/torts
• Probate matters (limited to advice and medical directives)
• Public benefits (e.g., TANF/SNAP and SSI/SSDI)
• Healthcare access (e.g., denial of coverage)
• Tax law

The Pro Bono Center remains committed to expanding access to justice and strives to serve members of marginalized communities who may face barriers to obtaining legal assistance. Learn more here.

DPR Communal Farms Weekly Veggie Giveaways have started back up at locations across the city. From now until November 25, 2026, stop by the below locations on select days each week to get free, locally grown fruits, veggies, and herbs. For more information, including how to volunteer, email joshua.singer@dc.gov.

• Ward 5: Edgewood Rooftop Farm (301 Franklin St NE)
  • Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• Ward 7: Lederer Garden (4801 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave NE)
  • Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  • Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
• Ward 1: Powell Communal Farm (3149 16th St NW)
  • Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Registration for DPR Summer Programs opened this week! Browse programs and register here!

DPR is now hiring for hundreds of positions to support summer programming in a wide array of roles, and the team is looking for talented, community-minded applicants to help make 2026 the best summer yet. Residents are encouraged to visit EarnWithDPR.com to search for jobs and view job descriptions and pay rates. Summer job opportunities with DPR include working at DPR pools, summer camps, support services, human services, park rangers, and more. 

The DC Office of Human Rights invites all DC high school students to apply for the Youth Human Rights Ambassador Program to learn about the laws and rights shaping the lives of youth. Applications are due by June 1, 2026. Learn more about the program and apply here.

The High School Internship Program provides work-readiness skills, project-based learning, life skills, leadership development training, and work opportunities for District high school students (grades 9-12), ages 14—21. The goal of the program is to help prepare District youth to successfully transition from high school into postsecondary education, advanced training, unsubsidized employment, or a career in the military. 

• For the youth application for the 2026 - 2027 HSIP Program click here.
• For the host application for the 2026 - 2027 HSIP Program click here.

Learn more about the program and apply by August 1, 2026 here.

If you've received mail from the DC Health Link or Healthy DC Plan, it's important that you read the message and confirm required information. Visit Healthy DC Plan to learn more and ensure you keep your health insurance coverage!

If you are behind on your DC property taxes, your home may be included in DC's annual tax sale in July. Free legal help is available! If you're under 60 years old, call Legal Aid DC at 202-628-1161 (ext. 7). If you're 60 years old or older, call Legal Counsel for the Elderly at 202-434-2120. Call by June 10!

Langdon:
Multisports Day
May 30 - 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
@ Langdon Rec (2901 20th St NE)
Join DPR for a fun multisports day for children ages 5 and under. 

Lamond-Riggs:
Riggs Park Day
May 30 - 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
@ Riggs-LaSalle Community Center (501 Riggs Rd NE)
Join neighbors for a Riggs Park celebration featuring food, music, activities, community resources, and more!

North Capitol/Union Station:
Caribbean Flag Ceremony

May 30 - 1:00 p.m.
@ 899 North Capitol St NW

Join the Mayor's Office on Caribbean Community Affairs (MOCCA) as they officially launch Caribbean American Heritage Month in DC. Bring your energy, your pride, and your flags as they celebrate the culture, history, and contributions of the Caribbean diaspora. RSVP here.

Downtown:
Pride Flag Raising & Pride Month Kick-off
June 1 - 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
@ John A. Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW)
Join the Council and the Mayor's Office of LGBTQ Affairs for the annual Pride flag raising and Pride Month kick-off, including a reception in the Wilson building lobby following the flag raising.

Langdon:
Forest Patch Invasive Removals
June 6 - 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
@ Langdon Park Forest Patch (2901 20th St NE)
Join DOEE, Casey Trees, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, and the Langdon Park Forest Stewards for several weekends of invasive removals to keep the forest patch healthy and thriving.

Brookland:
Great Brookland Yard Sale

June 6 - 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
@ All Across the Greater Brookland Area
Join my office as we stop by locations throughout Brookland and beyond for the Greater Brookland Yard Sale on June 6. Want to sign up to have your location on the map and sell your wares? Sign up by May 31 here.

Carver-Langston:
Health & Resource Fair

June 6 - 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
@ 1500 Maryland Ave NE
Join area ANCs, District agencies, and community organizations at this health and resource fair featuring free health screenings and wellness info, food, giveaways and raffles, activities for all ages, and more.

Brookland:
Ward 5 Family Biking Family Ride

June 13 - 11:30 a.m.
@ Gather at Turkey Thicket (1100 Michigan Ave NE)
Join my team at Ward 5 Family Biking's June Family Ride. The ride will start at Turkey Thicket at 11:30 a.m. and the group will ride to Rhode Island Ave NE PorchFest. 

Rhode Island Ave NE:
Porchfest by DC Squared

June 13 - 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
@ Along Rhode Island Ave NE
DC Squared is bringing back their annual porchfest on June 13! Check out a variety of venues and enjoy food trucks, drinks, vendors, and more. Locations details coming soon!

Lamond-Riggs:
Main Street Jazz Series

June 25 - 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
@ Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library (5401 South Dakota Ave NE)
Join District agencies and The Parks Main Street for a jazz series presented by the Greater Washington Urban League at the library! Free and open to the public.

• DC Curfews Pushed Large Groups into Local Neighborhoods, Some Residents Say (ABC 7)
  
  
• DC Water Proposed Rate Hike Met with Collective Shrug (WTOP)
  
  
• Union Station Gets $466 Million Federal Grant for Renovations (Axios DC)
  
  
• Company That Turns Light Posts into EV Chargers Among 3 to Win Energy Grant from DC (ABC 7)
  
  
• DC Keeps Crown as America's Best Park System (Axios DC)
  
  
• Ride-Booking Companies Face Possible DC Regulation Overhaul Amid Industry Changes (DC News Now)
  
  
• Old Street Lights Get New Life as EV Chargers (WTOP)
  
  
• How DC Responds to Vacant/Blighted/Nuisance Properties (Capitol Hill Corner)

The highlight of my week was connecting with neighbors on remaining budget priorities as we inch closer to our first budget vote on June 9. Pictured below, an Eckington neighbor stopped through my office on Tuesday to talk about the importance of funding housing vouchers, which helped save him from homelessness. I always remind those who stop through the office: the Wilson building belongs to the people and neighbors are always welcome to come and speak up on the issues that are important to them.

As always, I invite you to use this form to provide feedback on how we're doing. We'd love to hear from you anytime. 

Yours in service and community, 

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