From: Chuck Bean & Eduardo Romero, The Nonprofit Roundtable of Greater Washington
Date: July 25, 2005
Re: VA Fiscal Policy Institute; Emergency Preparedness; Members-In-The-News; Welcome Tim Freilich (Legal Aid Justice Center- Virginia Justice Center); Other

Sponsored by:

A Virginia Fiscal Policy Institute?
Tomorrow: The Human Services Coalition of Northern Virginia in partnership with the Nonprofit Roundtable is hosting representatives from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities to speak to its members and invited guests about the creation of a Virginia Fiscal Policy Institute on July 26, 9:30-11:30am at the Northern Virginia Regional Commission at 7535 Little River Turnpike, Suite 100, Annandale, Virginia 22003.

Emergency Preparedness Update
The Nonprofit Roundtable recently released 'Working Together When the Worst Happens: Nonprofit Emergency Preparedness in the National Capital Region.' This report describes the efforts between 20 organizations - including 18 nonprofits and two local government agencies - to coordinate disaster response and recovery services in the National Capital Region. This project was completed through a grant from the Department of Homeland Security. Both the Washington Post and the DC Examiner, along with WMET & WAMU, reported on the release of "Working Together."

Federally Funded Homeland Security Grants ($4.5 Million Available to Nonprofits in National Capital Region) Applications are due August 19, 2005 for grants up to $100,000 for the acquisition and installation of security equipment for nonprofits (including faith-based organizations) at risk of a terrorist attack in the National Capital Region. (Note: grant funding excludes management and administration.)

Members in the News
Alternative House, Carpenter's Shelter's, Child and Family Network Centers, Northern Virginia Family Service, Reston Interfaith, and Roundtable Affiliate Member Chevy Chase Bank were all included in an article on the collection of school supplies and back packs in the Washington Post.

American Red Cross in the National Capital Area's Charles Blake was highlighted in an article on his work in Sri Lanka in The Connection. (Charles was on-loan part-time to the Roundtable for our work in emergency preparedness.) The Red Cross was also in the Washington Post on an article on blood supplies across the region dipping to critically low levels.

Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center's Nick Rathod won the 2005 Justice Award at the National South Asian Bar Association, according to Asian Week. Rathod directs the APALRC's Language Access Project that ensures that limited-English proficient clients have access to government services and benefits

Aspen Institute's Nonprofit Sector Research Fund's Alan Abramson spoke at The Alliance for Nonprofit Management and the National Council of Nonprofit Associations Joint Conference, The Communities We Serve: Building Capacity for Impact, earlier this month.

Representatives from the Audubon Naturalist Society and the Coalition for Smarter Growth made clear their opposition to announcement of Corridor 1 as the state-preferred route for the Intercounty Connector , according to The Montgomery County Sentinel and the Washington Times. ANS's Neal Fitzpatrick said that "There are some out there who would charge us with just grinding the process down to delay for the sake of delay. We are interested in making sure the federal laws and regulations are conformed with," according to the Maryland Gazette. Elsewhere, Neal pledged to maintain his opposition declaring, "It ain't over til it's over," according to the Maryland Gazette.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington is teaming with The Washington Capitals' Most Valuable Kids program which assists in the distribution of unused Capitals game tickets to underprivileged children throughout the Washington area, according to a press release.

Bread for the City, Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital, Hoop Dreams, and SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now) were all included in a two-page spread about nonprofit activities in The Examiner.

Bridgestar's newsletter features an article on Leading in Mid-Life: Nonprofit Careers for Older Workers.

The Capital Area Food Bank has partnered again with NBC4 and Giant Food in their Check Out Hunger program. "Food, Glorious Food," a fundraising exhibit put on by Zenith Gallery in honor of Capital Area Food Bank's 25 Anniversary, was reviewed in the DC Examiner and noted in the Washington Post. The exhibit will be open through September 22.

Carpenter's Shelter's Fran Becker, a member of Alexandria's Housing Action's steering committee, stressed the importance of various civic associations, in an article on affordable housing in The Connection. Alexandria's City Council dedicated $3.6 million to affordable housing this year, a major increase over past annual commitments that have averaged $400,000 per year for the Housing Trust Fund. Behind this success was the Housing Action, The Tenants' and Workers' Support Committee, and Washington Regional Network.

Catholic Community Services' collaboration with Kaiser Permanente and the Medical Care for Children Partnership was highlighted in the Maryland Gazette.

The Center for Inspired Teaching has posted "some summer reading suggestions from some of Inspired Teaching's wonderful mentors" in their June newsletter.

The Center for Multicultural Human Services received a significant investment from the Freddie Mac Foundation for transitional housing which was featured in The Connection, The Reston Times, the Washington Business Journal and a press release. CMHS' Dennis Hunt was joined by Freddie Mac's Maxine Baker and Congressman Jim Moran, among others. In addition, CMHS was awarded a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to codify its unique model of service delivery.

Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind's Camp Lighthouse was highlighted by the Voice of America and the Washington Times. The Camp was also featured in a story on a visit of their kids' experiencing the sounds, the tastes and the stadium heat of the Minor League, according to the Maryland Gazette.

The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region's Washington Area Partnership for Immigrants was featured in the Washington Post, in a Post editorial, and in a press release as a result of research on day labor in the greater Washington D.C. region. The research produced In Pursuit of the American Dream: Day Labor in the Greater Washington D.C. Region and the Washington Area Partnership for Immigrants offered a formal response to the study.

The Commonweal Foundation announced funds to support educational programs and projects assisting disadvantaged youth in the Washington metropolitan area. The Foundation focuses on secondary and, to a lesser extent, elementary education. The deadline for applications is August 1; grants of up to $25,000 are available. Contact Gloria Dairsow at (240) 450-0000 or gdairsow@cweal.org.

DC Action for Children's Angela Jones was profiled in Marc Fisher's column in the Washington Post and asks "Why is Washington the only major city in the nation in which child poverty became more common in the past decade?"

DC Fiscal Policy Institute's Ed Lazere was cited in an article about tax real estate reductions approved this week by the D.C. Council, in the Washington Post. Ed said the city probably will have a surplus and the tax changes will take effect. He said, "They will be implemented before the year is up, barring some unforeseen disaster." DCFPI's most recent report is title, 'Property Tax Relief Adopted this Year Will Leave 2006 Tax Bills Lower than 2005 Tax Bills for Most DC Homeowners'

DC Vote's Ilir Zherka said that Virginia Congressman Tom Davis' bill represents the District of Columbia's best chance in three decades of getting a congressional district because it is partisan neutral," according to Utah's Standard-Examiner. DC Vote's efforts were also highlighted in the Washington Post and in a column in the Dallas Morning News. In addition, a gigantic 10 foot by 20 foot DC Vote banner with the phrase 'Go Nats!' and the District's motto 'Taxation Without Representation' was permanently fastened to the west side of RFK Stadium, according to a DC Vote press release.

Earth Conservation Corps was included in a piece called 'The Future of Anacostia Rests With Next Generation,' on WTOP.

Goodwill of Greater Washington was featured in an article on the transition of corporate executives entering into the nonprofit sector, in the Washington Post. Also cited was Roundtable Affiliate Member The McCormick Group. Goodwill's Catherine Meloy was interviewed on WMET and then highlighted in the Washington Business Journal (not online; p. 63.) Goodwill's Brendan Hurley was included in an article in the Boston Globe on redsesigned clothing drop boxes.

Greater DC Cares' new Board Chair, Peter Kirsch, was interviewed by Executive Biz.

Hoop Dreams was profiled (and Junior Achievement cited) in an article in the Navy's The Waterline. Hoop Dreams was also highlighted in the Washington Business Journal (not online; p. 35).

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation announced the recipients of some of the largest, most competitive scholarships available in the fine or performing arts. The 10 recipients were chosen through a national competition and the review of an expert panel of arts leaders. The scholarships could be worth up to $300,000 each. Among the recipients was Harun Mehmedinovic of Alexandria.

Junior Achievement of the National Capital Area and Ernst & Young named the Youth Entrepreneur of the Year for the Greater Washington Region, according to the Washington Times. The article cited Ed Grenier as well as Jon Shames, Ernst & Young partner and Junior Achievement board member.

Korean Community Service Center's Esther Park was included in an article about 'The New 'Koreatown' in Centreville' in The Connection.

Loudoun Cares' Andy Johnston was included in an article about starting a Boys and Girls Club in Leesburg in Leesburg Today. Andy also organized a Board development training in Loudoun that included the Community Foundation's Kathy Whelpley, Greater DC Cares' Siobhan Canty, and the Roundtable's Chuck Bean.

Mary's Center opened its new Health Center on Kennedy Street, N.W., the first and only community health center located in the District's Ward 4. The opening included several DC City Council Members among others.

Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations' Standards of Excellence Initiative announced Idaho as their eighth state and the first state in the West to offer the program, a nonprofit guide and tool for better governance, management and operations, according to PNN Online.

Miriam's Kitchen was included in an article on Unity Health Care in the Washington Post.

Northern Virginia Family Service's Training Futures and their partnership with Northern Virginia Community College was highlighted in the Washington Business Journal (not online; p. 39). "NVFS helps more than 27,000 people find jobs, affordable housing, and health care every year."

NPower Greater DC Region in partnership with Accenture has announced the launch of the Technology Innovation Award program to honor nonprofit organizations in the metro Washington, D.C., area whose innovative use of technology has helped them improve key aspects of their operations and more effectively fulfill their missions. Application procedures are available online.

Our Place announced that the opening of Camille's Place, the emergency housing arm of Our Place, DC. "Camille's Place is an emergency transitional program for formerly incarcerated women who are HIV positive and homeless upon their release from prisons and jails."

Piedmont Environmental Council was awarded again the highest rating by Charity Navigator for its financial practices, according to the Fauquier Times-Democrat. Chris Miller participated in a panel on affordable housing, according to the Fauquier Times-Democrat. PEC's involvement with the Journey Through Hallowed Ground survey was featured in the Fauquier Times-Democrat. And PEC has offered an alternative to counteract county planning in Dulles south, according to the Loudoun Connection.
Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington's Jatrice Martel Gaiter was included in an article about the politics surrounding the choices for the Supreme Court and Virginia's Governor's race, in the Washington Post.

The Quality Trust co-hosted a training on guardianship for family members of individuals supported by the agency. Over 15 family members attended to learn more about guardianship, durable power of attorney, substituted consent, and decision-making support for individuals with disabilities.

Reston Interfaith's Kerrie Wilson was supportive of a permanent day-labor center in Herndon, according to an interview on WAMU on July 11. Reston Interfaith and another nonprofit have applied for a permit to operate a "managed" day labor site behind the current Herndon Police Station, according to the Herndon Times. An earlier story ran in the Washington Post.

SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now) will have a benefit concert on August 6 at McFadden's ($10 cover from 8-11 pm).

Suited for Change was featured in an article in the Washington Times. Mary-Frances Wain said that "Clients are given two complete outfits for job interviews. Once they land a job, they can get three more suits. "Leary Shore, a former Suited for Change client who sits on its board of directors, said the program gave her the self-esteem she needed to get a job."

United for DC teamed up with DC Scores to fund a six-week long summer camp at Stanton Elementary School in Ward 8, according to a press release. In addition, United for DC has selected Capital Area Food Bank as their partner for July, according to this press release. "Any fan that donates an item will receive a 'Buy One, Get One Free' ticket voucher good for any D.C. United regular season home game as well as a United promotional item, as a thank you from the club."

Virginia Justice Center's Tim Freilich was cited in an article on immigrant issues in Herndon in the Washington Post. Tim said, "The day laborers are the most public face of immigration in the region, and a lot of frustration at the U.S.'s broken immigration policy is being targeted at them."
Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless' Patty Mullahy Fugere and others were instrumental in having the DC City Council unanimously pass the Homeless Services Reform Act, legislation that Patty has been working "for the past four years." The Bill now awaits Mayor Williams signature.

Washington Scholarship Fund's work was the focus of story in the Washington Post and in a Post editorial after Sally Sachar and others met with Senator Sam Brownback on a proposal that would have allowed District voucher students to attend private high schools in Maryland and Virginia. Earlier, Secretary of Education Margaret Spelling spoke at WSF's graduation ceremonies, according to a press release.

Whitman-Walker Clinic's Roberta Geidner-Antoniotti wrote that "the Whitman-Walker Clinic is not going away; it is changing with the changing times" in a 'Close to Home' piece in the Washington Post. WWC's Virginia operations could be assumed by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation according to the Washington Blade and the Washington Post.

Words, Beats, and Life, Inc. celebrated their second 'Jump Off' journal release party in celebration of the completion of Volume I of the WB&L Journal and launch of Volume II. Photos of the event are posted on WBL's website.

The YWCA National Capital Area's chocolate-chip cookie revival was featured in the Washington Post and The Examiner and featured Cokie Roberts and Mark Shields as judges. Orysia Stanchak said that she hopes the cookie revival will raise funds for YWCA programs while reminding area residents of the Y's contributions. "For 100 years, the National Capital Area Y has been providing training and social services to women, regardless of their race or ethnicity."

Welcome
We warmly welcome Tim Freilich, Managing Attorney of Legal Aid Justice Center. The Legal Aid Justice Center/Virginia Justice Center offers civil legal services to low wage immigrant workers statewide, while also engaging in systematic legal advocacy for all low-income Virginians. Tim and the Center's work have been active in Northern Virginia for several years.

OTHER
The Panel on the Nonprofit Sector released its comprehensive series of recommendations intended to strengthen the ability of the nation's 1.3 million charities and foundations to serve as responsible stewards of the public's generosity.

The DC Mayor's Office of Partnerships and Grants Development announced their new Grants Information Data System which is a database of current city, federal and foundation grant opportunities available to DC-area nonprofits and community-based organizations. This online grants database provides information on current competitive federal, city, and foundation grant opportunities for local nonprofit and community-based organizations.

The Greater Washington Initiative's annual signature publication, the Greater Washington Regional Report, provides current demographic, economic, and quality-of-life data on Greater Washington.