Michael Whitfield, Jr.’s Story

“If I can battle day school, night school, a job and a daughter…you all can do it.  Keep pushing.”

Rico Kinney’s Story

“Having a close brush with death isn’t easy…I would like to thank my mom for letting me see the light.”

Tyler Goodger’s Story

“It was really hard being away from my mother.”

Mario Brooks’ Story

School: “Mario demonstrated growth in community and vocational involvement.  As a student that has an intellectual disability, Mario displayed great character when presented with life’s challenges.”

Shavionne Smith’s Story

“I thank my mom for helping me…”

For all the untold stories visit http://www.youtube.com/tellkwamebrown.

Spc. Darryl T. Dent
Age: 21
Branch of Military: Army
Unit: 547th Transportation Company, U.S. Army National Guard
Date of Death: 8/26/2003
Incident Location: Ramadi, Iraq

Lt. Col. Paul W. Kimbrough
Age: 44
Branch of Military: Army
Unit: 416th Engineer Command, Team 28, U.S. Army Reserve
Date of Death: 10/3/2003
Incident Location: N/A

Lance Cpl. Gregory E. MacDonald
Age: 29
Branch of Military: Marines
Unit: Bravo Company, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
Date of Death: 6/25/2003
Incident Location: Iraq

Maj. Kevin M. Shea
Age: 38
Branch of Military: Marines
Unit: 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force
Date of Death: 9/14/2004
Incident Location: Anbar province, Iraq

Sgt. 1st Class Randy L. Johnson
Age: 34
Branch of Military: Army
Unit: 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment
Date of Death: 9/27/2007
Incident Location: Baghdad, Iraq

Capt. Darrell Lewis
Age: 31
Branch of Military: Army
Unit: 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division
Date of Death: 6/23/2007
Incident Location: Vashir City, Afghanistan

Spc. Keisha M. Morgan
Age: 25
Branch of Military: Army
Unit: Division Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division
Date of Death: 2/22/2008
Incident Location: Baghdad, Iraq

Charles Mason second from right

Councilmember Kwame Brown has a special relationship with veterans through his Constituent Services Director Charles Mason.  Mr. Mason is a proud veteran who served tours of duties with the Military Assistant Advisory Group (MAAG) in Tehran, Iran (1964-65), and with the First (1st) Infantry Division, Vietnam (1966-67), where he was the recipient of the Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medals.

Forever an advocate for veterans’ rights, Mr. Mason helped form the National Association of Black Veterans and served as the National Director, National Vietnam Veterans Resource Project, National Council of Churches, New York.

He continues his involvement with veterans via the Vietnam Veterans of American Organization.  He works with and counsels younger veterans returning from the Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, who suffer from PTSD through the DC Veterans Administration Outreach Office.

Councilmember Kwame Brown has kept his commitment to veterans.  Last year, he authored a new law establishing a special small business category for veteran business owners that live in the District.  Veteran owned businesses receive preference points through the Department of Small and Local Business Development when they receive classification as Certified Business Enterprises.

Check out the photos from the event:

A YouTube video can be found by clicking here.

The mission of the organization is to cut the city’s teen pregnancy rate in half by 2015.  To learn more visit www.dccampaign.org.

Here are some facts about teen pregnancy:

• Teen mothers are 2.2 times more likely to have a child placed in foster care during the first five years after birth than women who had a first birth at age 20 to 21.
• Nationally, child welfare services to families with teen mothers cost $2.3 billion in 2006.
• Adolescent mothers are more likely than older mothers to be more stressed by parenting.
• Families with mothers whose first birth was during their teen years are much more likely to be reported for child abuse or neglect than are families with non-teen mothers.
• Second or later births in families with teen mothers are more likely to bring children in that family into foster care.
• In 2009 a total of 3,841 children were served in Foster Care in the District of Columbia.
• Of children served in foster care in DC in FY-2009, 2,903 or 75% were children born to teen parents or parents who had previous children as teens.
• Of children served in foster care in FY-2009 in DC, 2,008 or 69% were born to parents who had 2 or more children as teens.
• 176 teen parents were under the age of 16 with children served by foster care in 2009 in DC.
• 353 children entering foster care in 2009 in DC born to teen parents were under the age of 5 years.
• Children in foster care are significantly more likely than children in the general population to be classified with an emotional or behavioral disturbance and placed in special education.
• Foster youth are more than twice as likely as youth in the Adolescent Health survey to be disconnected from work and education. More than 1/3 have neither a high school diploma or a GED.

“I want to congratulate the parents and students who fought to revitalize their school and had a dream to turn an uninviting asphalt parking lot into a beautiful playground. They are the heroes of school reform.” said Councilmember Brown who is a parent with two children in DC Public Schools.  “There was a time when the Wilson Building was in better shape than our schools and there’s no excuse for that.  This playground, and others like it, represents a new chapter in education.”

In 2005, Councilmember Brown joined Chairman Vincent Gray and then Councilmember Fenty as co-introducer of the School Modernization Financing Act, which later became law.  What started as a simple idea eventually became the foundation for a long-term effort to rebuild our schools.  School facilities are now undergoing major renovations because of the funding that was provided for in the law.

The Office of Public Education Facilities Modernization, led by Allen Lew, is responsible for overseeing school revitalization.  Parents and community members are strongly encouraged to get involved in the process by attending public meetings with School Improvement Teams (SIT).  A list of meetings can be found by visiting the following website:

Upcoming Meetings/Events
http://opefm.dc.gov/updates.html

For more information or to interview Councilmember Brown, please contact Press Secretary Michael Price at 202-445-4510 or mprice@dccouncil.us.

##

Photo from DCPS

District of Columbia Public Schools announced that the venue for the memorial service has been changed. Please note the information below:

DC Memorial Service to Honor Principal Brian Betts

Community Pays Tribute to an Extraordinary Educator

WHAT: District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) will host a public memorial service to honor the memory of Brian Betts, Shaw at Garnet-Patterson Principal.  Current and former students, parents, friends, colleagues, DC residents and anyone who wishes to pay tribute to this extraordinary educator, are welcome.
WHEN: Saturday, May 1, 2010, 10:00 – 11:30  a.m.
WHERE: Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD 20852 (Music Center)

• Cameras are permitted outside, but not inside the auditorium.  There will be a special section for press.

ADDITIONAL EVENTS: Two events are planned for the Shaw at Garnet-Patterson school community that will be closed to the public:

Thursday, April 22, 2010 – In honor of Principal Betts, DCPS will partner with City Year to host a Day of Service for Shaw at Garnet-Patterson students.

Thursday April 29, 2010 – The Shaw at Garnet-Patterson community will host a school tribute for students, parents and staff. (CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC)

For more information contact Jennifer Calloway at (202) 535-1096.

John A. Wilson Building

Tomorrow, residents across the District will celebrate DC Emancipation Day, commemorating the “DC Compensated Emancipation Act,” which was signed by President Abraham Lincoln on April 16, 1862 freeing 3,100 slaves in the nation’s capital.  Events across the city will honor the men and women who fought to abolish slavery.  Residents can continue the fight for freedom by joining DC Vote tomorrow morning for a day of advocacy at the Capitol.

“I’m a son of the civil rights movement and, for my family, DC Emancipation Day is a seminal moment in history,” said Councilmember Brown.  “I wouldn’t have the honor of representing the citizens of the District if not for the courage those who came before me.  We should be grateful for the progress that has been made, while recognizing the struggle for voting rights before us continues.”

The “DC Compensated Emancipation Act” was one of the first blows to the institution of slavery, freeing slaves nearly nine months before the “Emancipation Proclamation.”  To celebrate, the first Emancipation Parade was held after the end of the Civil War in 1866 on the fourth anniversary of the signing of the act.

Here is a highlight of DC Emancipation Day events in the District.  More events can be found by visiting www.dc.gov/emancipationday.

WHAT: DC Emancipation Advocacy Day with DC Vote
WHEN: Friday, April 16, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: US Capitol Building, Capitol Visitors Center, room HVC-215
WHO: www.dcvote.org

WHAT: Rally and March
WHEN: Friday, April 16, 2010 from 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: Franklin Square, 13th and I Streets NW
WHO: (202) 232-2500 or (202) 635-9337

WHAT: Film – Enslavement to Emancipation
WHEN: Friday, April 16, 2010 at 12:00 and 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: DC Channel 16

For more information or to interview Councilmember Brown, please contact Press Secretary Michael Price at 202-445-4510 or mprice@dccouncil.us.

Facilities open for DPR Spring Break Camp are:

Ward 1
Banneker Recreation Center
2500 Georgia Avenue NW
(202) 673-6861

Ward 2
Kennedy Recreation Center
1401 7th Street NW
(202) 671-4794

Ward 3
Chevy Chase Community Center
5601 Connecticut Avenue NW
(202) 282-2204

Palisades Recreation Center
5200 Sherrier Place NW
(202) 282-2186

Ward 4
Emery Recreation Center
5801 Georgia Avenue NW
(202) 576-3211

Takoma Recreation Center
300 Van Buren Street NW
(202) 576-7068

Ward 5
Turkey Thicket Recreation Center
1100 Michigan Avenue, NE
(202) 576-9238

Harry Thomas, Sr. Recreation Center
1743 Lincoln Road NE
(202) 576-5642

Ward 6
Sherwood Recreation Center
640 10th Street NE
(202) 698-3075

Ward 7
Fort Davis Recreation Center
1400 41st Street SE
(202) 645-9212

Hillcrest Recreation Center
3100 Denver Street SE
(202) 645-9200

Ridge Road Recreation Center
800 Ridge Road SE
(202) 645-3959

Ward 8
Bald Eagle Recreation Center
100 Joliet Street SW
(202) 645-3960

There is a $25 camp fee for the entire week.   Registration can completed online at dpr.dc.gov or at the facility at which parents would like to enroll their children.  Early registration is recommended as space is limited.

For additional information, please call the DPR Camp Office at (202) 671-0372.

This past Saturday, At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown escorted nearly 150 District students, parents and school faculty to the annual College Round-Up in Tarboro, North Carolina where nearly all students were accepted to various colleges.  This marks the third year running that Councilmember Brown has taken District high school students to the College Round-Up where many students receive on-the-spot offers from a range of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).  The event capped off more than a week of events to raise awareness about higher education including a financial aid workshop at the Wilson Building and a higher education rally at a high school in Northwest, DC.

“What’s important now is that we celebrate the students who overcame overwhelming odds to get into to college,” said Councilmember Brown.  “This year’s Round-Up is one more example of District students exceeding expectations, embracing their future and serving as a shining example to their peers and classmates.”

“I just wanted to officially thank you for what you have done for me and all of the seniors who attended the trip today,” said Darnitra House, a Ballou High School student in an email to Councilmember Brown.  “I enjoyed the experience and I was glad to see that there were so many DC students who actually want to pursue a higher education. You’ve helped us to cast down a stereotype that haunts our generation and our race, and I want to thank you for that.  Thank you for ‘Opening the Door’!!!!”

Students, parents and teachers embarked on the journey at 4:00 a.m.  The College Round-Up is an annual college fair organized by founder Bob Whitehead and Program Director Fay Smith.  This is a unique admissions fair where the application fees are waived allowing graduating seniors to apply to multiple schools in a short period of time.  The event is a flagship program designed to help underserved and underprivileged students obtain a post-secondary education.  Some students acknowledged that they would not have applied to any colleges if they had not attended.

To kick off this year’s Round-Up, Councilmember Brown joined hundreds of students for a higher education rally at the joint location of the Ideal Academy Public Charter School and the Kamit Institute for Magnificent Achievers Public Charter School.  Intended to inspire students to apply for and attend college, the rally was led by students of all ages, parents, teachers and principals who discussed the value of college and the importance of higher education.

This year’s students represented every public high school and many of the public charter schools in the District.  Many of the students also attended the financial aid workshop organized where guest speakers Anwan ‘Big G’ Glover of HBO’s The Wire, Herbert Tillery of the DC College Success Foundation and Ken Howard from the Office of the State Superintendent for Education.  The goal of the workshop was to educate participants on the methods of applying for financial aid both locally (DC OneApp) and nationally (FAFSA).

“No DC student should ever think, ‘I’m not college material,’” said Councilmember Brown.  “We need to remind them that there are so many opportunities out there.  Sometimes college is just a bus trip away.”

For more information or to interview Councilmember Brown, please contact Press Secretary Michael Price at 202-445-4510 or mprice@dccouncil.us.

Today, hundreds of students rallied at a District high school to promote higher education and inspire students to apply for and attend college.  At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown joined students, parents, teachers and principals to demonstrate the power of education to change lives.  Outstanding students and parents were recognized for their achievements and engagement in education.

“For too long we’ve been celebrating the problems, now it’s time we celebrate the students,” said Councilmember Brown.  “As a father with two children in public school, I was moved by the compassion and commitment shown by everyone at the rally.  Our hope is that this will motivate students to get a college degree and get more parents involved in their children’s education.”

The rally was hosted at the Ideal Academy Public Charter School and Kamit Institute for Magnificent Achievers Public Charter School in Northwest, DC.  Kamit Academic Director Ms. Makini Niliwaambieni, Ideal Principal Dr. George Rutherford, and Academy for Ideal Education Principal Ms. Paulette Jones-Imaan led their student bodies at the rally.  The students, parents and faculty who attended the rally expressed that no students should be left behind and no one should be counted out.  Everyone has the capability to go to the next level.

“Students have unlimited potential and passion,” said Ms. Makini, known as “Mama Makini” to her students and school faculty.  “Their capacity to achieve never ceases to amaze me.  Students who make the commitment to complete a college degree will be our next generation of leaders and an example for students with dreams of going to college.”

Tomorrow, students from nearly every public high school in the District will embark on a trip to Tarboro, North Carolina for the College Round-Up.  For the third straight year, Councilmember Brown is hosting free bus rides to the College Round-Up for students who live in the District.  This year’s trip will take place on Saturday, March 13, 2010.  It is an all day trip starting at 4:00 a.m.

For more information or to interview Councilmember Brown, please contact Press Secretary Michael Price at 202-445-4510 or mprice@dccouncil.us.

The only requirements for the program are that participants be District residents 5 years of age or older.  HSCSN will provide uniforms, equipment, and even refreshments.

Although the program is designed for special needs children, all children are welcome to participate in the T-Ball Clinics.  The Clinics will be held every Saturday from April 17-June 5, 9:30am-12:30pm, at the Randall Recreation Center.  The Randall Rec Center is located at 820 South Capitol St. SW.

If you want to register, fill out this flyer and return it to the address listed in the document.

For more information, please see this flyer, or contact HSCSN’s Director of Outreach Services, Cecil Doggette, who can be reached at cdoggette@hscsn.org, or at 202-580-6485.