Government of The District of Columbia

GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

OFFICE ON LATINO AFFAIRS
Muriel Bowser
Mayor
Jackie Reyes
Director
OLA FRESH START

February 27th 2015
Dear DC Latino Community,
Can you believe it! It has been already two months of Mayor Muriel Bowsers Freshstart Administration. I
would like to share the great accomplishments of the Mayor Bowsers vision for the Latino community
under my leadership as the Director of the Office on Latino Affairs (OLA).
We started on Mayor Bowsers commitment to provide stellar constituent
services by having a diverse staff; which includes different country
backgrounds, age groups, and sexual orientation that represent the DC
Latino community.
Then we followed up with OLAs Freshstart Open House on January 28th
2015 at the OLAs office located in the Frank D. Reeves Building where
Mayor Muriel Bowser greeted more than 400 constituents. At this event,
guests had the opportunity to network with DC Government Directors
and Leaders from local Non-Profit Organizations. We had the pleasure to
be joined by At-Large Council Member Elissa Silverman and Ward 1 Council Member Brianne Nadeau.
We shared an evening of Latin American folklore and tasty food.
Next we aligned OLAs mission with Mayors Muriel Bowser priorities as continue:
Education and Workforce Development; our office has started to recruit 50 Latino professionals to
collaborate with the Mayors initiative of Empowering Male of Color. Also, I met with the Regional
Alliance Students and Professionals (RASP) Conference where I learned the different needs of the
students in Washington DC. After reviewing the rates of enrollment, graduation and drop outs, I have
made Education one of my priorities in order to reduce the education gap in our community. I am
convinced that empowering our community is a big step to move the District forward; We have continued
supporting our families through the food bank distribution. We have partnered with LULAC, Verizon, and
Columbia Heights Educational
Campus to launch the STEM
Explorers Program. I coordinated a
small job fair in partnership with
Career Path where three members of
the community were hired. OLA
continues to support the education
of our youth by giving them the
opportunity to intern at our office.
Health, Community Development, and Small Business; During early January I met with over
100 Latino business owners to express commitment to support small business development and make
sure DC Government is an enabler of opportunity, not an obstacle. In partnership with the Collaborative
Solutions for Communities we have stablished a partnership to execute
different soccer tournaments in Ward 1 and Ward 4 to keep youth away
from the street. Our office participated in a partnership agreement with
Marys Center and Collaborated with DC Health Link to engage community
partners to deliver better health services, educate Latino residents about
critical health issues, and providing direct health- related assistance to at
risk underserved Latinos. We partnered with Safeway and RASP to give
out clothing to 150 Latino families to help them with job interviews. Also, I
met with different Latino Non-Profits, such as Neighbors Consejo; Teatro
Gala; Casa Iris; and Vida Senior Center. OLA continues our commitment
to the LGBT community by taking an active role in the LGBT Latino Task
Force monthly meeting.
Immigration; Mayor Muriel Bowser joined Mayors from across the country, by joining a Mayoral
Coalition to file Amicus Brief in support of President Obamas Executive Action on Immigration Reform.
Mayors Bill de Blasio of New York City and Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles
announce plans by more than 30 Mayors to file an amicus brief in the Texas
vs. United States lawsuit to support President Obamas recent Executive
Action on Immigration Reform. The brief opposes a lawsuit pending in
Brownsville, TX brought by states seeking to block President Obamas
Immigration Reform efforts. OLA partnered with the Consulate of El Salvador
to facilitate the renewal of their TPS-Temporary Protected Status. OLA hosted
an event to promote this program and we had a lot of Salvadorians who have
benefited from this event.
Good Government Relations; OLA testified at the FY 15 Performance hearing chaired by
Councilmember Anita Bonds. OLA worked to smoothly maintain continued funding of their _grantees
and their programs after the transition under new leadership. I also met with the Director of the DMV,
Lucinda Babers, Fire Chief, Eugene Jones, and DCRA staff to discuss the Language Access program and
enhanced ways to better serve and reach out to the DC Latino Community.
Communications; OLA has been active and proactive with major Latino media outlets such as
Univision, Telemundo , Washington Hispanic Newspaper, Tiempo Latino Newspaper, El Imparcial
Newspaper, DC Contigo, Connectate Magazine, HIMNO Magazine, KestaDC, WJLATV and many
moreincluding El Diario de Hoy. Please dont forget to follow us on social media Facebook, and Twitter.
I am pleased to have been welcomed by DC Latino communitys stakeholders such as the Comit Cvico
Empresarial Salvadoreo (COCIES), Regional Alliance of Students and Professionals (RASP), National
Council of La Raza, Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the LGBT History Project.
Under my leadership, OLA will continue to nourish and strengthen our vision to improving the lives of the
DC Latino community.
Mil Gracias,
Jackie Reyes, Director, OLA

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Government of The District of Columbia

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GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

OLA FRESH START

Jackie Reyes, Director, OLA

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