Delegate Nicole Williams Newsletter - August

Dear Neighbors and Friends - I want to wish all Prince George's County families the best of luck in back-to-school preparations. I hope all of our children had a superb summer and are ready to make new memories in the new school year! Some exciting news to conclude the summer involves the Prince George's County Memorial Library (PGCMLS) partnering with Gensler to develop criteria for evaluating the size and location of PGCMLS' facilities and service over the next ten years. The plan includes recommendations for building future branches based on population and community needs. I am looking forward to seeing our local libraries with new and improved updates! - Nicole

FREE BACK-TO-SCHOOL IMMUNIZATION

Need shots for school? Visit a back-to-school immunization clinic! All clinics are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Click on the graphics above for more information.

Legislative Black Caucus Townhall

Please join us on Wednesday, September 6th from 6 to 8 PM at Bowie State University for our Prince George's County Legislative Session Recap and Town Hall event. Come hear about the accomplishments of the Caucus in the 2023 legislative session and hear about what is next for 2024. Click on the graphic above to RSVP.

Legislative Black Caucus Youth Day 2023

Senator Nathaniel Exum Legislative Youth Day in Annapolis is designed to allow middle school students to engage and participate in the legislative process, experience the power of civic engagement, and participate in exercises regarding how the Maryland General Assembly Operates. The Youth Day will occur on Saturday, October 14th, from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Lowe House Office Building in Annapolis Maryland. For more information, please contact black.caucus@house.state.md.us. Click on the graphic above for more information.

Maryland Homeowner Assistance Fund

Over 11,000 Maryland residents how have fallen behind with mortgage payments or other related housing costs. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act funding, the Maryland Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) can help Prince George's County residents. The application portal for the HAF and HAF WholeHome programs began waitlisting applicants on August 15th and after the remaining funding is allocated, the portal will close. As program funding becomes more limited, the department encourages Marylanders to contact housing counselors at 1-877-462-7555. Check the "communications" tab in the HAF portal for updates on HAF applications, or contact the Homeowner Assistance Fund call center at 1-833-676-0119. Click this link for more information.

Annual National Night Out Recap

On the first Tuesday of August each year cities around the United States gathered to share the importance of community safety. While National Night Out is full of festivities, we all share the common goal of establishing safer community practices and more efficient resources for the sake of our neighborhoods. New Carrolton's celebration was honored to welcome Governor Wes Moore and First Lady Dawn Moore.

Article of the Month: Women Owned Brewery!

Denizens Brewing Co., located in District 22 in Riverdale Park, garnered attention for being a majority woman-owned brewery now in its 10th year in business, breaking the barriers in a heavily male-dominated industry. Chief Brand Officer Julie Verratti appeared alongside her wife and co-founder on the TV news show "Morning Rush" for a segment on women in craft brewing. According to a recent survey, a trade group for independent and craft brewers, only roughly one out of every four brewery owners are women. Check out the full article by clicking the graphic above.

Maryland Climate Pathway Listening Sessions

Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) is tasked by the Climate Solutions Act to build a plan to reduce GHG emissions by 60% by 2031 and net by 2045. On July 25th MDE embarked on its first listening tour and presented Maryland's Climate Pathway report to Marylanders. If you missed the event in Bowie, there will be a virtual event on September 26th at 6 p.m.

Elderly Property Tax Credit Application

Earlier this year, the Prince George's County Council passed legislation for a tax credit for homeowners who are 65 and older. You can click on the graphics above to visit the website and find out additional information.

Grants for Neighborhood Access and Equity Programs (NAE) The Federal Department of Transportation is combining two major discretionary grant programs, the Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) and Neighborhood Access and Equity (NAE) programs, into the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Program (RCN). Funds from the grant program will be awarded to support planning and capital construction activities that aim to restore community connectivity. Eligible applicants include state, county, city, township, or Native American tribal governments. They also include nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS and a metropolitan planning organization. The application due date is September 28th. Click here for more information.

The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) has announced that qualified plug-in electric vehicle owners can apply for a new HOV (High-Occupancy Vehicle) permit. The MVA began accepting applications on June 12th through this portalor by visiting an MVA branch office. Please note that prior permit holders should remove expired vehicle permits and reapply for new ones. The new program includes a $5 application fee and is valid through September 30th, 2025. Any further information regarding the new HOV permit program can be found using this link.

Resources Capital Area Food Bank: Client Leadership Council Program

The Capital Area Food Bank is excited to announce that they have begun recruiting for their 4th Annual Client Leadership Council (CLC). The CLC is a paid, ten-month advocacy training program for people who live in food deserts and wish to become great advocates regarding food insecurity in the Greater Washington D.C. area. CLC aims to empower individuals to shape policy, inform the media, and influence food bank programming by sharing their lived experiences and becoming advocates. CLC's goal is to train those who live in food deserts to become advocates within their community based on their shared living experiences. Our members are paid a living wage stipend for their time, including any transportation costs to and from the food bank. The program is offered in both English and Spanish. Use this link to nominate someone that you think would be a good fit for this program.

Pop-Up Community Clinics

Clinicas Communitaria St Matthews/San Mateo Church is offering free primary care health services every first Sunday and last Tuesday of each month (Primer Domingo y ultimo martes de cada mes). These services will be held from 9 am to 3 pm. Address: 5901 36th Avenue Hyattsville MD, 20782 Call or Text for an Appointment: 240-258-8583 Mande Un Texto O Llame A: 240-258-8583

WSSC Update: Extended to August 31

WSSC Water continues its Get Current amnesty program, which launched on June 1st to help customers with their delinquent water and sewer bills. The program provides bill credits and waives 100 percent of late payment charges and turn-on fees for qualifying customers. To learn more about WSSC Water's Get Current program and determine if you qualify, visit wsscwater.com/getcurrent. You can find information on other customer assistance programs at wsscwater.com/assistance.

Housing

Prince George's County Department of Housing Community Development 2023-2024 Affordable Housing Portfolio: The portfolio lists over forty upcoming and completed senior living communities and multi-family dwellings, now available to County residents. If you want to access more information about the new portfolio, you can watch the promotional video here. If you are currently facing housing or rental concerns due to financial hardship, the organizations listed below can provide some support:

Maryland Homeowner Assistance Fund offers support mortgage relief, weatherization, housing counseling, and legal services.
Housing Counseling Services Inc. offers a variety of MD housing and rental assistance resources including but not limited to housing counseling, foreclosure prevention, utility assistance, and veteran support services
211 Maryland's database can connect you with local programs and resources, call 2-1-1 to speak with an Information and Referral Specialist or visit their website

Need Health Insurance?

Do you need Health Insurance? Prince George's County Health Connect enrolls county residents 18 to 64 in health insurance. Enrollment can be done in person or over the telephone. Bilingual navigators are available Monday through Friday, free of charge. Necesitas un Segura de Salud? Prince George's County Health Connect inscribe a los residents del condado de 18 a 64 años en un seguro de salud. La inscripción see puede hacer en persona y por teléphono.