DCHA BUILDS COMMUNITY THR...

DCHA BUILDS COMMUNITY THROUGH LATEST NEIGHBORHOOD BLOCK PARTY

Retro arcade games, food trucks, and moon bounces took over the recreational fields outside of the EnVision Center in the Southwest Waterfront neighborhood for the DC Housing Authority's second Rebuilding Our Communities Block Party on July 13.

Families from nearby Greenleaf Gardens, Syphax Apartments and James Creek soaked up the summer sun while picking up funnel cakes and fried Oreos from vendors, listening to live music, and playing carnival games. When it was time to cool off, a dip in the foam pit or a race down the water slide did the trick.

"Maintaining and investing in our relationship with our public housing families and neighbors is a top priority for DCHA," said Executive Director Keith Pettigrew. "Our series of Rebuilding Our Communitiesengagement events promotesa sense of community amongDCHA families andneighbors, connectsour residents with resources, and of course, offers a chance to have some fun."

The community-building event is one of five free neighborhood block parties that DCHA has planned this summer. In addition to the block parties, the Rebuilding Our Communities series will also feature property-specific cookouts and other festivities, with events happening at every property in DCHA's public housing portfolio.

DCHA's second Rebuilding Our Communities Block Party stood out with new additions.

STATDC Global Solutions, a nonprofit, distributed hundreds of bags of groceries worth more than $250,000 to residents. DCHA handed out more than 200 pairs of youth sneakers, which were donated by Operation Warm, as well as t-shirts and swag bags, while members of the U.S. Marine Corps from Quantico gave out toys.

The July 13 Block Party also included a photobooth from Cap City Photo Booths, a visit from Mickey Mouse, and a robot dog from Emerging Technology Institute that behaved like a real puppy - running up to kids and bowing its head for pets. A biking activity from Capital Bike Share, an obstacle course, a 360-degree camera and more games and activities kept the fun going all afternoon. The Block Party was a collaboration with the DC's Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice.

Morethan 40service providers werein attendance. They provided insight and resources on education and workforce development programs,job opportunities,and other services availablefor youth, seniors, and families in the District. The service providers included nonprofits, academic institutions, private employers, and DC government agencies.

The Angry Jerk and ANR Catering, as well as the Big Moe's Catering & Soul Food food truck and the Kelly's Kickin Cuisine food truck, provided food and other refreshments.

Stay tuned as DCHA will host three more Rebuilding Our Communities Block Parties this summer at locations throughout the city.

DCHA is grateful for the service providers who helped make this event possible:

Howard University, Office of Corporate Relations | C3 Cares |Brotha's Huddle |Peace for DC|Y Not Youth |Academy of Hope |Adult Public Charter School |Life Enhancement Services LLC |DC Department Of Employment Services |DC Tutoring and Mentoring Initiative |Unity Health Care |The Love More Movement |DC Commission on Poverty |Drug Enforcement Administration |So Others Might Eat |DC Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement |Capital Youth Empowerment Program |DC Office on Aging and Community Living |Homeland Security and Emergency Management |DC Office of Unified Communications |DC Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education |DC Department of Human Services |Hands on Hearts |DC Office of the Tenant Advocate |DC Department of Behavioral Health |DC Department of Aging and Community Living |Alliance of Concerned Black Men |University Legal Services |University of the District of Columbia |WMATA, GOOD Projects,|Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy |InnerCity Collaborative, Capital Youth Empowerment Program |George Washington University |UPO |Prestige |Mommas Safe Haven |Edgewood Brookland Collaborative |Capital Bike Share|GoDcGo |Living Classrooms |DC Central Kitchen |DCPL - DC Public Library|Hidn TrezHER, LLC |United Healthcare