The Board and staff of the Greater Washington Urban League
congratulate the 2008 Scholarship Winners
2009 Scholarship Winners announced on March 18, 2009.
During the 37th Annual Whitney M. Young Gala nine scholarships were awarded to local graduating seniors. The scholarships are one year awards for SY2008/2009. Each of the winners had to complete the application process which included writing a 500 word essay on a topic identified by the League and the funding source. In addition, each of the winners had to participate in a video taping which was shown during the dinner. They were also presented by their financial sponsor at the dinner.
Over 130 students in Washington, DC, Prince George's County and Montgomery County Maryland have received scholarships since 2000. More than $775,000 has been awarded to the students. Corporate scholarship sponsors have included: Merrill Lynch, the Rainbow Fund, Safeway/Western Union, Nationwide Insurance Company, Anheuser-Busch, Pepsi Bottling Group, the Gladys General Scholarship Fund, Microsoft, and Coca-Cola.
A new scholarship was awarded this year. Funded by the Charlotte Elizibeth Yancey Eights Trust, the scholarship provides $8,000 to the awardee over a four year period.
This year's awardees were:
Safeway/Western Union Scholarship Winners
Stephon A. Buckner, Steven C. Buckner,
Dominique L. Campbell, Brittey J. DeNeal,
Ketra M. White, Alexis Yarbrough
Each will receive a $3,000 scholarship.
Pepsi Scholarship Winner
David E. McFadden
A $2,200 scholarship will be awarded.
Charlotte Elizabeth Yancey Eights Scholarship
Dominique L. Campbell
A four year award 0f $8,000 total with $2,000 paid annually for four years.
Thursday Network I Empower Scholarship Winners
Chika Ugbok
Each will receive a $1,500 scholarship.
2008 National Achievers Society Induction
The Greater Washington Urban League inducted 170 junior high school, middle school and senior high school students into its National Achievers Society (NAS) on Sunday, October 11, 2008. Students inducted into the society all had a GPA of 3.0 or better. The students were inducted in to the society during a ceremony held at Israel Baptist Church in front of a host of family, friends, school teachers and administrators. Each student was nominated by their school based on their academic achievement and other criteria.
The National Achievers Society was established 10 years ago by the National Urban League as a way to recognize and honor those young people who are working hard in school and achieving. It goal is to encourage our young people to strive for academic achievement. The motto for the society is "achievement matters". During the ceremony, the students were led in the " Achievement Matters" Student Pledge by Audrey Epperson, Director of Education, Employment and Training at the League.
James Adams, News Reporter for NBC4 - TV, was the master of ceremonies for the ceremony. The keynote address to the students was delivered by Kerri Forrest, a White House Producer for NBC Nesw. Welcome was provided by Maudine R. Cooper, president and CEO of the Greater Washington Urban League and Rev. Dr. Morris Shearin, Pastor of Israel Baptist Church.
Discovery Young Scholars Graduate
In May 2006, 7 students completed the first leg of their academic journey by graduating high school and enrollong in a post-secondary institution. These 7 students were among a group of 10 first grade students from the District of Columbia and Prince George's County Maryland selected to participate in this post-secondary education program. Sponsored by Discovery Communications, each student will receive a pre-designated academic scholarship amount over a four year period as long as they remain in good academic standing. The Greater Washington Urban League served as the administrative agent for the program.
The League now serves as the monitor for the program assisting the dinancial sponsor distribute the funds to the colleges if the students meet all requirements for continued support.
Utility Assistance for Needy Families
GWUL and the WASA Partnership
The League has partnered with the DC Water and Sewer Authority (WASA) to assist needy and eligible families pay their water bill during times of critical need. Through the S.P.L.A.S.H. Program (Serving People by Lending A Supporting Hand), community residents can apply for assistance once during a program year. The program is funded solely by contributions from the community as well as thoughtful WASA customers. To learn more about the program, contact Yvonne Merryweather at 202-265-8200.
If you wish to make a contribution to the SPLASH Program, just check the "Round Up" box on your monthly water bill. Your total will be rounded up to the next dollar figure. Money collected from the "round up" program goes into a fund to assist needed families. As the holidays approach us, lend a supporting hand to those in our community that need it.
GWUL Energy Assistance
For the second year, the League has partnered with PEPCO to provide assistance to community residence needing help to pay electric and gas bills. Through the program community residents can apply for up $500 once per year to help pay their utility. To receive assistance, each applican has to provde the required paperwork and be approved for the assistance.
GWUL Employment Opportunities
Are you unemployed? Under-employed? Seeking a job upgrade? Interested in changing careers? If you can answer yes to any of these questions, please contact the GWUL Career Center. Staff may be able to help you make a positive employment change. Resources and opportunities available include pre-apprenticeship screening, resume preparation, employability training workshops, and general personal growth and development workshops. In addition, the League also host dedicated job fairs for various employers. Information can be obtained on when those events will be held.
For more information about the services of the GWUL Career Center, call Ursula Higgins at 202-265-8200.
US Census Bureau Employment Opportunities
Interested in working on the up-coming US Census? Visit our employment page for information on the available jobs.
Construction Training Program for Women
Goodwill is offering a 9 week Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program. The program is free and open to women residing in DC Wards 7 and 8 and Prince George's County, Maryland. Assessment sessions are conducted every Tuesday at 9:00 am at the Goodwill Campus located at 2200 South Dakota Avenue, NE, Washington, DC. For more information or to register, contact Joe Mitko at 202-715-2654 or by e-mail at joe.mitko@dcgoodwill.org.
Also, visit our online calendar for workforce development listings.
Teenage Curfew
Teenage curfews in the District of Columbia began September 1, 2006. Children and teenagers under the age of 17 must be home by 11 pm Sundays through Thursdays and by midnight on weekends.
Exemptions are permited for children and teenagers working, attending school, religious, civic or organized recreational events. Those violating the curfew laws could face 25 hours of community service. Parents of the violators could face fines up to $500.
Healthy Marriages & Strenghtening Communities DC Metro 2009 Conference
Save the Date! March 20, 2009
Conference will be held at Howard University's Blackburn Center, Washington, DC. Join the discussion on: Responsible fatherhood, domestic violence programs, addressing healthy relationships, and other subjects. Conference fee is $100 and includes: continental breakfast, lunch, reception, and a performance of "Jump the Broom." Limited scholarships for youth (16 to 22) are available; CEU credits available; also limited exhibit space.
Planning committee partners include Greater Washington Urban League, Inc., Administration for Children & Families/US Department of Health & Human Services, DC Department of Human Services, Howard University, DC Head Start Association, First Families DC and others.
For more information, call 202-265-8200 ext 250.
Greater Washington Urban League's Annual Meeting
April 23, 2009
Marvin Center
George Washington University
6:00 pm - Open to GWUL membership
Contact: Janice Smith
202-265-8200 ext 251
GWUL United Way Membership
The Greater Washington Urban League is a member of the United Way of the National Capital Area. During this donation period, please consider making a contribution to the League to help us better serve our constituents. The League's United Way Designate No. is 8214 and the Combined Federal Campaign No. is 17794.
Visit our web calendar for important school year and community activity dates and/or information on activities. The calendar has been up-dated thru August 2009 with school postings from the DC Public Schools, Prince Georges County Public Schools, and Montgomery County Public Schools. Other League and community listings will be posted on a monthly basis.
The GWUL has been awarded a one year grant to provide information and training resources to fathers in the District of Columbia. The grant was awarded by the DC Department of Human Services. During the program year, fathers will be provided with parenting, money mangement, and employability training and resource materials. Training activities are conducted at the League's offices or community locations.
Financial Education Grant Awarded
The League has received a 2nd year renewal for a $30,000 grant from the National Urban League to administer a year long program designed to increase the financial awareness of 50 youth and young adults. The program is financed by Chrysler and is a Financial Life Skills Education Program that will provide education/training on basic money management and credit.
Program participants will be youth ages 12 to 14 and 18 to 21. Each will be provided with a minimum of 3 hours of financial education instruction and a field trip to a financial institution in the community. The goal of the program is to help the students increase their understanding of the purpose and value of money in their lives, develop the saving habit, and increase their ability to use money wisely.
In addition to providing services to youth, training will also be provided 10 young adults, ages 18 to 25. Focus for the young adults will be the same as the youth; however, ther will be added attention given to helping the young adult budget and manage money.
NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND
Since the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) was passed and put in place in school districts across the country, school districts have been working to meet the mandated achievement requirements. The act provides for a variety of changes in the education of children designed to improve student achievement and school accountability. There are several key features of the act that address a parent's role, rights, and responsibilities. Parents now have direct choice options if their child(ren) attend a school that has been identified as a low performing school for two years. NCLB provides for supplemental educational services to assist children in these schools. It also includes a requirement for parent involvement in school governance. Learn your rights and responsibilities under NCLB. Attend a workshop, talk to your school administration about what they are doing or visit the NCLB web site at www.nochildleftbehind.gov.
Did you know?
Did you know that thousands of dollars are available for college. Visit the League's partial listing of some of the scholarships that are available. Go to the Community Guides listing in the menu. Once there, click on College and Scholarahio Info. For additional information, please call Gladys General at 202-265-8200 ext 264 (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday).
Did you know the SAT test has been changed? Did you know the first administration of the NEW SAT test took place in March 2005? Changes to the test include the addition of a writing section. There will be an essay requirement as well as multiple-choice questions. The new math section will focus on topics from 3rd year college prep classes; the critical reading section will no longer include analogies. The highest possible score a student can make on the test increased from 1600 to 2400 for all three sections.
Now is the time for you and your child to obtain information on the new test. Go to www.collegeboard.com to get a more in-depth description of the new test. Also talk to the school counselor about the new test and what the school might be doing to prepare students to take the test.
READ AND RISE: Preparing our Children for a Lifetime of Success
The National Urban League, in collaboration with Scholastic Books, has produced a guide to help parents assist their young children read and rise. The guide provides parents with information and ideas that will help them support the child as he/she becomes a reader. The guide and the magazine are free to the public while supplies last. To obtain a copy, contact Yvonne Merryweather at 202-265-8200 or at e-mail epperson@gwulparentcenter.org.
VALUABLE RESOURCES
> For information on the District of Columbia's Caregivers Pilot Program, click on Parenting then Grandparents as Primary Care Providers.
> To obtain a free copy of the Read and Rise Guide or Magazine, contact Mrs. Yvonne Merryweather at 202-265-8200 ext 258.
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