Tag Archives: Children

Around Town: May 11-12

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If you’re looking for something fun to do this weekend, these Catalogue nonprofits have got you covered! Whether you’re doing stream restoration and planting trees or doing outreach visits to low-income seniors, a good weekend is in the forecast!

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Wilderness Leadership & Learning (WILL) Environmental Service Project

Wilderness Leadership & Learning
WILL partners with the Anacostia Watershed Society for this service learning experience. We will be doing stream restoration and/or tree planting at Heurich Park. WILL provides lunch and pays Metro fare
When: Saturday May 11, 2013 (08:30 AM – 5:00 PM)
Where: Heurich Park, Nicholson St & Ager Rd, Hyattsville, MD 20782
Fee? no
Volunteer Info: We can use 3-4 volunteers. 2 individuals will meet WILL youth at Bell HS (3101 16th Street, NW), and take Columbia Heights Metro to West Hyattsville Station and meet up with me (Steve Abraham) and group I am bringing from Minnesota Ave. Metro. I could use at least one person to be with us from Minn Ave. Metro. The groups will meet at W. Hyattsville and then walk a little less than a mile to the Park. It is rain or shine. If interested please e-mail me and I will provide additional details. THANK YOU for considering this opportunity.
Contact: Steve Abraham, (202) 319-2765

Outreach Visits to Low-income Seniors

We Are Family Senior Outreach Network
We Are Family will be coordinating outreach visits to isolated, low-income seniors in their homes.
When: Saturday May 11, 2013 (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
Where: Metropolitan Community Church, 474 Ridge St. NW, Washington, DC 20001
Fee? no
Volunteer Info: Volunteers will receive a brief orientation and then go out in pairs or groups to visit with seniors in their homes.
Contact: Mark Andersen, (202) 487-8698
For more information: click here

Youth Media Festival

Passion for Learning
Middle school youth showcase their digital media work for the community at this annual Youth Media Festival in Silver Spring. This event is in partnership with Gandhi Brigade Youth Media, Festival Sponsor.
When: Saturday May 11, 2013 (11:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
Where: Silver Spring Civic Center Building, Ellsworth Avenue and Spring Street, Silver Spring, Md 20910
Fee? no
Volunteer Info: Help set up room for media showcase along with our middle school students and staff. Help our students meet and greet and register parents, students and families. Help break down and clean up after event.
Contact: Cynthia Rubenstein, (301) 562-6014

4th Annual Health & Wellness Fair

Mentoring to Manhood
An afternoon of entertainment, health & wellness vendors, face painting, moon bounces and more!
When: Saturday May 11, 2013 (11:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
Where: Bowie Library parking lot, 15210 Annapolis Rd Bowie, MD 20715
Fee? no
Volunteer Info: Greet the community, hand out give aways, set up and break down.
Contact: Nicole Howze, (443 ) 370-1748

Arachne Aerial Arts & In-Flight Theater

Dance Place
Two companies at the forefront of aerial performance, Baltimore’s In-Flight Theater and Washington’s award-winning Arachne Aerial Arts, collaborate on a bold new piece based on the myth of Demeter and Persephone. A 15-foot metal weather vane rises at the heart of an original story exploring mothers, daughters and the seasons.
When: Saturday May 11, 2013 (8:00 PM)
Where: Dance Place, 3225 8th Street NE, Washington, DC 20017
Fee? yes $22 General Admission; $17 Members, Seniors, Teachers and Artists; $10 College Students; $8 Children (17 and under)
Contact: Carolyn Kamrath, (202) 269-1608
For more information: click here

Sunday, May 12, 2013

DCYOP’s Youth Orchestra Concert

DC Youth Orchestra Program
DC Youth Orchestra Program’s most prestigious ensemble — the Youth Orchestra — performs Schumann’s Symphony No. 1 and Mozart’s Overture to Don Giovanni. Plus the Youth Orchestra’s string quartet plays the first movement from Mozart’s “The Hunt” string quartet and Carlos Gardel’s “Por Una Cabeza” (tango from the movie “Scent of a Woman”). If you can’t make it to the concert, watch it online live or in the Millennium Stage video archives at www.kennedy-center.org/millennium.
When: Sunday May 12, 2013 (6:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
Where: Kennedy Center Terrace Theater, 2700 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20566
Fee? no
Contact: Rashida Coleman, (202) 698-0123

Around Town: May 4th!

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Get out of the house this weekend and spend some time getting to know some great, local nonprofits. Whether you are running, seeing a show, touring the embassies, or just having fun with your family and friends, Catalogue nonprofits are ready to show you a good time! If you head out to an event, let us know! We would love to hear all about it.

Saturday, May 04, 2013

Fairfax CASA’s Run for the Children 8K Race & 3K Run/Walk

Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
Planning has already begun for Fairfax CASA’s third annual event, which will again bring the community together to raise funds for our advocacy work with Fairfax County’s abused and neglected children. As always, the race will be held at the Fairfax County Courthouse complex and feature music, delicious food, great prizes, and giveaways.
When: Saturday May 4, 2013 (08:30 AM – 11:00 AM)
Where: Fairfax County Courthouse, 4110 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22030
Fee? yes 8K $35, 3K $30, *8K or 3K Special* $20 for all participants under 18
Volunteer Info: Volunteers can assist with postcard distribution, packet pick-up, bag check, set-up/clean-up, course marshalling, and water stations, etc.
Contact: Christina, (703) 273-3526 ext 15
For more information: click here

Family Day

Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture
This Park-wide FREE public festival celebrates the opening of the historic Dentzel carousel for the 2013 season and offers day-long activities for families. The event features many free activities including magic shows, dance performances, exhibitions, open studios, craft activities, National Park Service tours, face painting, and much more.
When: Saturday May 4, 2013 (09:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
Where: Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD 20812
Fee? no
Volunteer Info: We need volunteers (age 13 and older) to help supervise and direct the many activities. Volunteer opportunities are available between 9 am and 6 pm. You can choose what you would like to do: Be a face painter! (13 yrs and older) Supervise the T-Ball Extreme game (15 years and older) Organize the face painting line (13 yrs and older) Supervise the hula hoop play circle (13 yrs and older) Supervise the carousel line (16 yrs and older) Help children create art projects (13 yrs and older) Manage one of the performance stages (16 yrs and older) Help with parking (must be at least 18 years old) Help with set-up and clean-up (15 yrs and older) These are just a few of the volunteer opportunities, and all of the jobs are rewarding. Family Day also provides a great opportunity for students to earn community service hours!
Contact: Donna Barker, (301) 634-2231
For more information: click here

Passport DC – Around the World Embassy Tour

Cultural Tourism DC
Passport DC is our annual journey around the world coinciding with the Mayor of the District of Columbia’s proclamation of May as International Cultural Awareness Month. Now in its sixth year, Passport DC highlights the international community–a vital part of DC culture–with month-long international programming presented by cultural institutions throughout the District. With tours of more than 70 embassies and hundreds of other international cultural activities, it is easy to travel around the world without ever leaving the city!
When: Saturday May 4, 2013 (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
Where: Embassy Row and International Court, Washington DC, Washington, DC 20005
Fee? no
Volunteer Info: Volunteers will have a variety of roles at welcome tents, participating embassies, shuttle stops and more. http://culturaltourismdc.volunteerhub.com/
Contact: Inez Douglas, (202) 661-7581
For more information: click here

LAMB Community Day – Dia de la Comunidad de LAMB

Latin American Montessori Bilingual Public Charter School
Join us on Saturday, May 4 from 12:00 – 4:00 pm for an afternoon of fun at LAMB’s Community Day, including games, face painting, food, music, a mini-museum, and many other activities. Free fun for the whole family! More details will be posted on our Facebook page and on Twitter @lambpcs. LAMB PCS, 1375 Missouri Ave. NW, www.lambpcs.org, 202-726-6200.
When: Saturday May 4, 2013 (12:00 NOON – 4:00 PM)
Where: Latin American Montessori Bilingual Public Charter School, 1375 Missouri Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20011
Fee? no
Contact: Anna Marie Yombo, (202) 726-6200

BHNV’s 2nd Annual Garden of Light reception

Bethany House of Northern Virginia
Bethany House of Northern Virginia will host it’s 2nd Annual Garden of Light event on Saturay, May 4 on the Rooftop Terrace of the Holiday Inn and Suites in Alexandria, Va. The event will feature delectable refreshments, live music, a client speaker and a silent auction with many one-of a kind packages donated by local area businesses. Tickets are $55.00 per person and can be purchased online at http://gardenoflight2013.eventbrite.com/#.
When: Saturday May 4, 2013 (3:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
Where: Holiday Inn and Suites (Old Town, Alexandria, VA), First Street, Alexadria, VA 22314
Fee? yes $55.00 per person
Volunteer Info: Volunteers are needed to assist with: 1- Set up for the event to include unloading supplies, setting up auction tables, registration tables and other decorations 2 – Clean up volunteers to assist with packing up supplies, disposing of trash, assisting guests with transporting auction purchase to their vehicles, etc. 3 – We are seeking a volunteer with an interest in photography to capture the elegance of this outdoor event. Volunteer must have their own camera equipment.
Contact: Jasmin Witcher, (703) 658-9500
For more information: click here

Gilgamesh

Constellation Theatre Company
Show runs from May 2 – June 2, 2013. Part god and part man, King Gilgamesh races the sun & journeys to the ends of the earth on his epic quest for immortality.
When: Saturday May 4, 2013 (8:00 PM)
Where: at Source, 1835 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Fee? yes – tickets start at $25.
Volunteer Info: Usher
Contact: Lindsey, (202) 204-7741
For more information: click here

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble

Dance Place
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble presents a mixed bill of modern dance pieces. The Denver, Colorado, based company is inspired by the African-American experience and its repertory is rooted in contemporary and ethnic dance and multi-disciplinary traditions worldwide. The colorful program includes the 2012 premier of Fusion by Jeanguy Saintus. Funded in part by NEFA and the NEA.
When: Saturday May 4, 2013 (8:00 PM)
Where: Dance Place, 3225 8th Street NE, Washington, DC 20017
Fee? yes $22 General Admission; $17 Members, Seniors, Teachers and Artists; $10 College Students; $8 Children (17 and under)
Contact: Carolyn Kamrath, (202) 269-1608
For more information: click here

Around Town: April 27-28

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Looking for a great way to spend your weekend? Catalogue nonprofits have great events that you can not only attend, but volunteer at as well!! If you go to an event, tweet about it using hashtag #CatalogueCheers!

Saturday, April 27, 2013

The Race to End Poverty

A Wider Circle
Featuring a 4K run/walk and a tot trot! In 2012, A Wider Circle furnished 3,650 homes. This year, we hope to furnish 4,000 homes – 4K! Run or walk on April 27 and help us accomplish a 4K in service! Enter as an individual, as a team, or join the Bed Brigade.
When: Saturday April 27, 2013 (09:00 AM)
Where: Meadowbrook Park, 7901 Meadowbrook Lane, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Fee? yes $33 for individual 4K entries; $20 for ages 11 – 20; free for 10 and under 4K participants and Tot Trot participants free; $33 for the Bed Brigade
Contact: Ann Marie Schaeffing, (301) 608-3504
For more information: click here

Living Well With Cancer One-Day Retreat For Caregivers

Smith Center for Healing and the Arts
One-day Caregiver Retreats aim to help strengthen innate healing mechanisms through group support, yoga and stress reduction, creativity, and nutrition.
When: Saturday April 27, 2013 (09:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
Where: Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, 1632 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Fee? yes $40 per person
Contact: Smith Center, (202) 483-8600
For more information: click here

Grocery Deliveries to Low-Income Seniors in Columbia Heights

We Are Family Senior Outreach Network
We Are Family will be delivering free grocery bags to over 250 low-income seniors in the Columbia Heights, Petworth, and Adams Morgan neighborhoods.
When: Saturday April 27, 2013 (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
Where: Kelsey Apartments, 3322 14th St. NW, Washington, DC 20010
Fee? no
Volunteer Info: Volunteers will help assemble and deliver grocery bags. Although a car is not needed, it is helpful. Some of our delivery routes can be done on foot, while others require a car.
Contact: Mark Andersen, (202) 487-8698
For more information: click here

REVISION dance company

Dance Place
In JUST BE, Artistic Director Shannon Quinn leads REVISION dance company in exploring the raw emotions and personal experiences of working with people with disabilities. The evening length modern dance work invites the audience and dancers to focus on the abilities of individuals, instead of the challenges and stereotypes associated with disabilities.
When: Saturday April 27, 2013 (8:00 PM)
Where: Dance Place, 3225 8th Street NE, Washington, DC 20017
Fee? yes $22 General Admission; $17 Members, Seniors, Teachers and Artists; $10 College Students; $8 Children (17 and under)
Contact: Carolyn Kamrath, (202) 269-1608
For more information: click here

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Mass in B Minor featuring Agnes Zsigovics

Washington Bach Consort
Johann Sebastian Bach Mass in B Minor, BWV 232 We end our 35th Season with the monumental Mass in B Minor, a work Bach returned to again and again during his life. Although it draws upon Lutheran and Catholic traditions the B Minor Mass holds deep significance for people of all religious and cultural origins. Bach scholar Christoph Wolff describes the B Minor Mass as a summary of his writing for voice, not only in its variety of styles, compositional devices, and range of sonorities, but also in its high level of technical polish … Bach’s mighty setting preserved the musical and artistic creed of its creator for posterity. Pre-Concert Lecture: 2:00pm, Talking Bach is a series of free pre-concert lectures by noted Bach scholars one hour before performances at National Presbyterian Church. The lectures focus not only on the musical elements of the work that will be performed, but also on the historical context in which the music was created. Talks are designed to enhance the concertgoers’ appreciation and enjoyment of the music they are about to hear. The series is open to all ticket holders.
When: Sunday April 28, 2013 (3:00 PM)
Where: National Presbyterian Church, 4101 Nebraska Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
Fee? yes Tickets $23-$65, Students 18 and younger $10, Pay Your Age 18-38
Volunteer Info: Usher, Sell Tickets, Direct Patrons, Clean up after Reception
Contact: Washington Bach Consort, (202) 429-2121
For more information: click here

Stimulating Change: LearnServe International’s 4th Annual Panels and Venture Fair

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The Figuring Out College Success team after their big win at LearnServe's 4th Annual Panels and Venture Fair

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead

This past Thursday, I had the pleasure of being a judge at LearnServe International’s 4th Annual Panels and Venture Fair at the School Without Walls. LearnServe International empowers high-school students from around the DC area who have the motivation (but perhaps not the means) to make a difference. Through their Fellows Program, LearnServe helps guide students through the creation of their own “social venture.” This year’s Venture Fair featured 60 young entrepreneurs who represented 30 high schools in 4 different counties. What do all of these young entrepreneurial minds have in common? They all helped to design 45 different social ventures with the goal of serving their schools and their communities.

In the cafeteria of the School Without Walls, LearnServe fellows set up their presentation boards and prepared to discuss their ideas with leaders from both the business and community worlds. Students were split into 4 groups: DC Public and Charter Schools/PG County Public Schools, Montgomery County Public Schools, Fairfax County Public Schools, and Independent Schools. Students were judged based on three different categories: innovative ideas, presentation boards, and their venture pitch. Awards were presented to the one group from each category that received the overall high score from the judges. Winners won a certificate, a book, and a pro-bono consulting service session with business leaders from different companies in the area.

As a judge, I reviewed five different ventures, each one as impressive as the next. It was extremely inspiring to see high school students who were all so motivated to make changes within their communities and beyond. Of all the ventures, one group that I judged not only caught my eye, but had the highest score in their geographic region, and therefore, won. Figuring Out College Success (FOCS) is a venture started by Nancy, Zora, Yousef, and Spencer, all sophomore students, with a goal of making the college preparation and application process easier for students. Whether they are students from international backgrounds, working class families, or first-generation college goers, the mission of FOCS is to help effectively transform the frustration and discouragement of the unknown into motivation to pursue the college path. As four young students who have not yet been through the college preparation or application process yet, their goals proved to be one of the most impressive portions of their venture proposal.

  • increase enrollment in Honors, Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate classes by 10%
  • ensure participants, by mid freshman year, have a developed relationship with their counselor and have a plethora of extracurricular activities under their belt
  • have participants by mid sophomore year create a pool of teachers for recommendations
  • have junior year participants who by their second semester have a full resume and have visited multiple 4-year institutions up the East Coast
  • ensure that by senior year participants have applied to multiple colleges and have set up permanent financial plans for the school they’ll be attending

As a first time judge for the LearnServe Venture Fair, I was blown away by the original and transformative ideas that these young people had come up with. It’s refreshing to see so many young people willing (and able) to change the world, and LearnServe provides them with a great platform to do so. Congratulations to all of the winners, the participants, and everyone at LearnServe who helped to put on an extremely stimulating event. To learn more about LearnServe International and all of the programs that they provide, click here.

From the Field: Safe Shores

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by Sherika Brooks, Executive Assistant to the President

“Safety and security don’t just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear.” -Nelson Mandela

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC ranks highest in the rate of child abuse per capita in the nation. That means that in the District alone, 24.6 children per 1,000 are victimized annually. The national average? 10.0 per 1,000. These sobering and heartbreaking statistics clearly illustrate how important it is to have services that can help the children and families who are affected by this abuse.

Enter Safe Shores-The DC Children’s Advocacy Center. Safe Shores is a Catalogue nonprofit that provides intervention, hope, and healing for children and families that are affected by abuse and violence in DC. Last week, Community Partnerships Coordinator, Marie LeBlanc, and I attended Coffee for Kids, an informational tour of the Safe Shores facility right outside of the NoMa neighborhood in Washington, DC. Situated in a former school building, Safe Shores has created an environment for kids and their families to feel supported, comfortable, and most importantly, safe.

Prior to Safe Shores, the investigative and legal process for child abuse cases in the District could be just as traumatizing for a child as the abuse itself. Forcing a child to be interviewed separately by police, social workers, medical professionals, prosecutors, and a different selection of court personnel can leave a child feeling more like the perpetrator than the victim. Safe Shores helps to eliminate these different interviews by housing interview rooms complete with in-wall cameras and microphones that produce a live feed to the room next door, as well as recording the interview. The live feed/recorded video allows for members of DC’s Multidisciplinary Team which includes the Metropolitan Police Department, Child and Family Services, Children’s National Medical Center, the Office of the Attorney General, and the United States Attorney’s Office to watch and have access to the video instead of subjecting the child to multiple interviews. Safe Shores also provides victims and their families with resources such as counseling, art therapy, medical checkups, and victim services such as a clothing closet (complete with toys) and a meal fund to cover the cost of food to children who are on site for interviews, therapy, or awaiting court sessions.

As an adult, walking into Safe Shores, touring their amazing facility, and hearing their staff talk about what they do reminded me that, unfortunately, abuse can happen to anyone. The staff members give the same amount of care to the children that walk into the center’s front doors as they would their own children–which says a lot about this amazing program and their dedicated staff (who are on call 24/7–because abuse can happen anytime). The Catalogue for Philanthropy and the Greater Washington area are lucky to have Safe Shores as part of our community and we are so grateful for all of the hard work that you do.

If you are interested in attending a Coffee for Kids session, volunteering with, or just learning more about Safe Shores-The DC Children’s Advocacy Center, check out their website.

Build a House, Build a Future

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by Marie LeBlanc, Community Partnerships Coordinator

Last month, a group of 11th and 12th grade students from Cardozo High School put the final touches on a house near the corner of 13th and Colorado Ave NW. A final doorknob and a coat of paint marked the end of a two-year process of building a new home from the ground up — and a landmark achievement for students at the Academy of Construction and Design at Cardozo, supported by the DC Construction Trades Foundation.

The DC Construction Trades Foundation is a Catalogue nonprofit that works in partnership with DC Public Schools to support the Academy of Construction and Design at Cardozo Senior High and to extend the Academy’s educational outreach programs to other District middle and high schools. The ribbon cutting ceremony that took place at 5734 13th Street NW on December 6th celebrated the work of the Academy’s students, as well as a dedicated group of instructors, staff, school and industry partners, and sponsors who guided the house construction from the groundbreaking in October 2010.

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Homeless in Fairfax County

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By Marie LeBlanc, Community Partnerships Coordinator

In Fairfax County, the very rich and the very poor live side by side. The Washington Post recently reported that the homeless student population in Fairfax County is on the verge of breaking 2,500 students — a record for the county, which is by some measures the second most affluent county in the US. Since 2005, the number of homeless students in Fairfax County has been on the rise — growing by 58% from 2005 to 2011. This trend echoes the observations made recently in Venture Philanthropy Partners’ Capital Kids report, which offers comprehensive data on the state of children and youth in the greater Washington area. (Read our review on the report here.)

Capital Kids focuses on “the poverty factor” as one of the four main issues involving children and youth in the National Capital Region: “The negative social, academic and health outcomes for children raised in poverty have been well documented. They include a greater incidence of chronic health conditions (such as asthma); mental disorders, including depression; and risky behaviors such as smoking, drugs, alcohol and early sexual activity. Childhood poverty is also associated with poor school attendance and decreased academic achievement, as well as behavioral problems such as delinquency.”

According to the Post, the recession and its after-effects have caused this explosion of homeless youth and students. Right now, more than 1 million students are experiencing homelessness across the country. Judith Dittman, executive director of Catalogue nonprofit Alternative House, was quoted in the Post, expressing her concern about this situation in Northern Virginia: “Nobody wants to see these kids sleeping on the street. No matter how bad the economy is, we don’t want to see 17-year-olds sleeping in the doorways at libraries.”

Working specifically with runaway, abused, and homeless youth, Alterative House “offers safe and accessible places where teens can get help” and has served thousands of youth over the past 40 years. Alternative House is one of many Catalogue nonprofits that serve the homeless population in Fairfax County. Here’s a brief look at several others, and you can find a complete list of nonprofits serving Fairfax County here.

= Doorways for Women and Families has worked for 30 years to break the intergenerational cycles of homelessness and domestic violence, providing a variety of support services to families who are working to move out of homelessness.

– For over three decades, Shelter House has provided a structured and supportive environment for homeless families in Fairfax County, through transitional housing programs, emergency shelters, and case management for newly-housed families.

– Main Street Child Development Center is one of the few nonprofit childcare centers in the area, ensuring that children from low-income households have the same educational start as their higher income peers.

– FACETS provides emergency services and supportive programs to prevent homelessness and assist those who are already homeless, working to ensure that every Fairfax family has a place to call home.

In The News …

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Homeless student population to crest 2,500 in Fairfax County for first time (Washington Post): “The number of homeless students in Fairfax County public schools is likely to surpass 2,500 by the end of this school year, according to school officials, what would be a new record for one of the most affluent communities in the nation.” Over 15% of these are “unaccompanied youths,” or children who live without a parent or guardian. In DC, the total number of homeless public school students reached nearly 3,000 last year. Overall, “according to estimates from the Education Department, there are more than 1 million homeless students nationwide, an all-time high.”

Prince George’s leaders unite against domestic violence in new assessment program (Gazette): “By the end of the year, all Prince George’s County patrol officers and municipal law enforcement agencies will be equipped to better handle domestic violence incidents and provide immediate assistance to victims thanks to a state-led program. According to Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, “This calls for law enforcement to be trained to identify domestic violence situations so that they can help victims to take the steps to prevent it;” and according to Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler, “the effort is focused on identifying abusive situations and preventing domestic violence cases from escalating to reduce the number of homicides.” (Learn about Catalogue nonprofits DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Domestic Violence Legal Empowerment and Appeals Project today.)

MontCo health agency recommends healthy snacks, tracking student obesity (Washington Examiner): “Montgomery County’s Health Commission is recommending that the county track student obesity and put more nutritious snacks in vending machines, as part of officials’ latest efforts to make county residents healthier.” The Commission also suggested to the Montgomery County Council that it “should provide more opportunities for exercise for children and adults, and establish better accommodationsfor mothers who are breast-feeding.” Five years ago, the County “passed a ban on the use of artificial trans fats in chain restaurants and all food service facilities,” which include public schools. What are successful school-based health efforts that you have experienced?

Brooklyn Castle

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By Marie LeBlanc, Community Partnerships Coordinator

Chess is not just a game of kings and pawns, queens and knights. For a group of middle schoolers from Brooklyn — and for thousands of other students here in DC and across the country — chess is a unique afterschool activity that impacts their lives both on and off the board. Catalogue nonprofit Chess Challenge in DC co-sponsored a sneak peek of the documentary film Brooklyn Castle last week, which profiles a student chess team from Brooklyn, New York, and invited Catalogue staff to have a look.

Brooklyn Castle tells the stories of five members of the chess team at a below-the-poverty-line inner city junior high school (Intermediate School/IS 318) that has won more national championships than any other in the country. The film follows the challenges these kids face in their personal lives as well as on the chessboard, and is as much about the sting of their losses as it is about the anticipation of their victories.

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Capital Kids

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By Marie LeBlanc, Community Partnerships Coordinator

Last week, Venture Philanthropy Partners published Capital Kids: Shared Responsibility, Shared Future, the first comprehensive study of the state of children and youth in the National Capital Region. Capital Kids reveals starling statistics and information regarding the state of the region’s children and youth, which Venture Philanthropy Partners (VPP) CEO Carol Thompson Cole describes as “in crisis.”

Top-line findings from the report show that child poverty continues to plague the District and National Capital Region (NCR), with some of the highest child poverty rates in the country. The report identified three other key trends and factors that influence the disparity among life situations of children within the NCR, in addition to the poverty factor: the opportunity divide, the achievement gap, and the immigration impact. The entire report is available for download online at http://capitalkidsreport.org/, and the accompanying website includes additional information on many areas explored in the study.

Some key facts from Capital Kids:

– 30.4% of children in the District live in poverty
– Between 2005 and 2012, the rate of childhood poverty in Alexandria increased four times, while the rate doubled in Montgomery County
– 41% of children in the NCR have at least one immigrant parent
– Almost 43,000 youth in the NCR are not enrolled in school, including 14,000 youth between the ages of 16-19 who are neither enrolled in school nor employed in the labor force
– 41.5% of third graders in the District scored proficient in reading, a key indicator of future academic achievement.

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