volunteers

At 3:00 on a cold Wednesday afternoon in Columbia Heights, sleepy eyed little boys and girls are gently woken from their naps. Mussed hair and rumpled clothes, they amble over to snack tables where healthy treats are laid out for them. It seems like a pretty typical afternoon at the Easter Seals Child Development Center, but something special is about to happen. At a few minutes past three the sound of jingle bells begin to echo through the halls. The little ones tentatively poke their heads out of the classroom door, unsure about this big man in the red suit, while chants and cheers of “Santa’s Here!!” can be heard from the pre-K classrooms. From the outside you’d never know it, but there is an awful lot of excitement inside of the non-descript brick building at 2800 13th Street.

When Jill Chimka, the Clinical Supervisor at the center invited us at PoP out to join in the holiday fun she said, “I thought maybe our neighbors might like to know more about us, rather than just our boring exterior. We really are a happy place!” I have to admit that in all the hundreds of times I have walked down 13th, past Girard Street, I’d never really taken notice of the building. But now after having paid them a visit, especially on such a fun afternoon, I can attest that Jill is correct! For those who don’t get a chance to see the inside, a recent grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development will help liven the place up. In addition to building a new classroom, the funding will allow for the center to install a security fence, which means the bars can come off the windows, a nice sign can be put up and there are plans to paint a great big mural on the side of the building.

The Easter Seals Child Development Center has stood in the same location since 1959 when it opened its doors as the first program in the DC area to provide comprehensive educational and therapeutic services to young children with disabilities. Over the course of the past 50 years the center has expanded its services, and gone through significant change. It operates today as an inclusive center for both disabled and typically developing children, and is one of only three centers in the DC area that is inclusive. Children at the center range in age from 6 weeks to 5 years and are referred by the Infants and Toddlers Program, a DC government program that issues IFSPs. Students who are referred, and are DC residents, receive free care but the center also has about 20 private pay students at this point. Continues after the jump. (more…)

Capitol Letters Writing Center Volunteer Appreciation Party and Info Session

This December, Capitol Letters is working with approximately 270 DC students in schools across the city. This would not be possible without our fantastic volunteers.  On Tuesday, December 16, we’re celebrating all the great work and energy they’ve contributed to our organization with a party at Wonderland Ballroom. There will be free cupcakes, holiday games (like re-writing Christmas carols), a competition for worst (in an awesome way) holiday sweater, and tunes all night by Columbia Heights’s own Gavin Holland.

Even if you haven’t volunteered with us yet, we’d love to meet you!  Come enjoy the festivities and find out how you can make a difference in 2009.  More info: www.capitolletters.org.”

Last Thursday night, about 120 people gathered to celebrate Rwanda and its bright future at the Ibori! A Celebration of Rwandan Progress sponsored by Indego Africa (www.indegoafrica.org).

Indego Africa describes itself as a non-profit built upon the belief that Africans can overcome poverty by taking full advantage of market opportunities and upgrading their job skills to improve their long-term earning prospects. Indego Africa directs 100% of profits from sales towards training its partner artisans in other skills that are valued in their local economy.

Nearly 5,000 days have passed since the end of the Rwandan genocide, and as the tragedy recedes, Rwandans are moving boldly into the future. The event focused on the country’s future and featured a silent auction, hors d’oeuvrves, drinks and speakers.
I volunteered at this event through One Brick DC, which is a group that volunteers at events all over the DC area. We One-Brickers worked as the event staff – serving food, bartending, cleaning up, etc.  Continues after the jump. (more…)