Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  Last week, I warned of an impending hunger crisis if action was not taken to protect SNAP and ensure residents receive their November benefits. I'm glad to share with you that several developments over the past 24 hours will allow us to protect recipients and ensure they receive their benefits.  Yesterday, Mayor Bowser authorized the use of local…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  It's been a busy week and there are a number of updates I want to share with you about changes to tenants' rights (namely around TOPA - the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act), the impending loss of SNAP benefits for tens of millions of Americans (including hundreds of thousands of DC residents), and several pieces…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  Yesterday, the Committee on Youth Affairs held a public oversight roundtable on overcrowding conditions at the Youth Services Center (DC's juvenile detention center, also known as YSC). This critical oversight is a continuation of our work seeking to improve outcomes for youth across the District. From last week's introduction of the C.A.R.E. for Youth Plan,…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  This week, I introduced a 16-bill policy package in my role as the Chair of the Committee on Youth Affairs. The C.A.R.E. for Youth Plan is designed to foster youth wellbeing in the District, and was developed in partnership with impacted youth and their families, advocates, agency employees, lawyers, judges, and experts.  Since…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  Earlier this week, Congress failed to reach an agreement on funding the federal government, resulting in an indefinite shutdown. Many federal workers are furloughed, some are facing layoffs, government services are interrupted, and some federally-run museums and parks are closed (including, for example, the U.S. National Arboretum in Ward 5). The Smithsonian announced that…

Last Saturday was one for the books. It was truly our best Ward 5 Day yet, and my heart is still full from the hundreds of smiles I saw on the faces of neighbors who came out to celebrate with us. Thank you to everyone who stopped by! I loved seeing neighbors on the dance floor,…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  The Council started up its fall legislative work this week with a consequential Legislative Meeting where we voted on the RENTAL Act and approved the RFK Redevelopment deal. There's a lot to catch you up on there (check out Neferteria's Nook for details!), but this week has really been about Ward 5 and our amazing community. Neighbors…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors,  In these trying times for the District, I am more aware than ever of the importance of coming together to celebrate our communities and everything that makes us proud to call Ward 5 home. To that end, I hope you are making plans to join us for Ward 5 Week (September 15-19) and Ward…