Manna/ONE CDC newsletter

Sat Apr 1 15:50:20 CST 2006

From: "Marta Vizueta" <mvizueta at mannadc.org>

Friends:

Below is our bi-monthly update. In it you will find information on our
current community organizing, equitable development, policy advocacy and
popular education work in Shaw and in the District. **Most importantly, you
will find our first public announcement about Manna CDC’s new name, ONE DC,
and updates on our becoming a new, independent organization**

ALSO, we invite you to read more about the *first intensive* DC based
Community Organizing and Popular Education Institute we will host for 8-10
local residents in June.

Peace,

Marta de los Angeles Vizueta
Popular Educator & Organizer
ONE DC (formerly Manna CDC)

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:::::::::::::
The *Virtual* Word on the Street
...a bimonthly update...

March 2006

Welcome!

Manna CDC has almost fully transitioned to
become a new, independent organization.

ONE DC (Organizing Neighborhood Equity) is
committed to laying the path to creating a
progressive, sustainable, and grassroots-led
organizing tradition in the District.

Our work moves forward in 2006 with confidence
and innovation. We hope you enjoy reading the
updates on our programs and new initiatives.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:::::::::::::
In this issue:

* Manna CDC Unveils New Name
* ONE DC to Host First Community Organizing Institute in DC
* 4 Hired, SEA Sets Sights on 600 More
* Plymouth Tenant Association Will Buy Their Building
* Kelsey Gardens Tenants Continue Fight to Stay in Shaw
___________________________________________________

Manna CDC Unveils New Name

ONE DC: Organizing Neighborhood Equity

Manna CDC has formally unveiled its new name and
mission.

ONE DC: Organizing Neighborhood Equity will
exercise political strength to create and preserve
racial and economic equity in Shaw and the
District.

ONE DC will move forward all of Manna CDC's former
work in the Shaw community while growing the
capacity and skills of other leaders and organizations
throughout the city to organize for equitable
development and social and economic justice.

In its short history, Manna CDC/ONE DC distinguished
itself as one of a few organizations in the District
that moves beyond service provision to build
sustainable community capacity and leadership so
that low-income people of color can speak and take
action for themselves.

 >From the beginning, ONE DC's
approach to community development addressed
structural causes of poverty and injustice, an
orientation that stemmed from deep analysis of race,
power, and the economic, political, and social forces
at work in Shaw and the District.

Given its success, ONE DC's equitable development
work will continue to center on popular education,
community organizing, and alternative housing and
economic development projects.

ONE DC will formally open its doors on May 1, 2006.

Find out more.... http://www.mannadc.org/mannacdc/transition%202006.htm
___________________________________________________

ONE DC to Host First Community Organizing Institute in DC

ONE DC will develop and host the District's
first intensive Community Organizing and
Popular Education Institute.

This 5-day, 40 hour institute for 8-10 residents, will
focus on conceptual and practical skills of
progressive and strategic community organizing,
policy advocacy and popular education. Additionally,
ONE DC will provide graduates with technical
assistance and support for at least one year to
ensure the full implementation and growth of
community organizing and popular education
initiatives throughout the District.

Read on... http://www.mannadc.org/mannacdc/Comm%20Org%20Institute.htm
___________________________________________________

4 Hired, SEA Sets Sights on 600 More

Shaw Education for Action (SEA) celebrated the first
cycle of its hotel job training program this March.
Despite a slow hospitality season that limited hotel
participation in the program, 25% of the eligible
candidates in the program are now employed by local
hotels.

With this initial success behind them, SEA members
are now turning their attention to securing a more
expansive training and hiring agreement for the
Convention Center Headquarters Hotel. SEA has
submitted amendments to the City's funding
legislation for the hotel that would set aside $3.4
million in training money and require Marriott to work
with the community to create a training and hiring
plan with the funds.

Read on... http://www.mannadc.org/mannacdc/sea%20updated.htm
___________________________________________________

Plymouth Tenant Association Will Buy Their Building

The Plymouth 2005 Tenant Association, National
Housing Trust and ONE DC (formerly Manna CDC)
have formed a rental partnership to purchase
the 74-unit apartment building at 1236 11th Street
NW and maintain its affordability. The partnership
received great news from the DC Dept. of Housing,
our request for City funding is moving forward. Much
work is underway to meet the purchase deadline of
May 31, 2006, with full participation from resident
committees on renovation and property management.

This is ONE DC's first tenant organizing project in a
building with 97% Latino, Spanish speaking residents.
We are now assessing the current needs and issues
faced by other primarily Latino buildings in the Shaw
area, and taking concrete steps to engage in cross-
cultural alliance building and organizing to ensure
that all current residents continue to call Shaw and
DC their home.

Read on... http://www.mannadc.org/mannacdc/tenant%20organizing%20updated.htm
___________________________________________________

Kelsey Gardens Tenants Continue Fight to Stay in Shaw

The HUD Project-Based Section 8 subsidy at Kelsey
Gardens, lost through owner opt-out, officially
expires on March 31st. Existing tenants are eligible
for Enhanced Housing Choice Vouchers, but first they
must qualify and their apartments must pass a DC
Housing Authority inspection. ONE DC staff is working
closely with the tenant leadership, general tenant
membership, and the DC Housing Authority to de-
mystify the sometimes confusing process of
converting to vouchers. If the process does not go
smoothly, tenants could be asked to pay market rent
as early as April 1st.

Meanwhile, the tenant association continues to wait
for a ruling from Judge Michael Rankin on the DC
superior court case that will determine if tenants are
able to exercise their first right to purchase their
building.

Read on... http://www.mannadc.org/mannacdc/tenant%20organizing%20updated.htm

___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________

Quick Links...

About ONE DC::
http://www.mannadc.org/mannacdc/about%20manna%20cdc%20updated.htm

Shaw Equitable Development Initiative::
http://www.mannadc.org/mannacdc/equitabledev%20updated.htm

Community Organizing::
http://www.mannadc.org/mannacdc/comm%20organizing%20updated.htm

Shaw Housing Initiatives::
http://www.mannadc.org/mannacdc/shaw%20housing%20intiatives%20updated.htm

Tools & Publications::
http://www.mannadc.org/mannacdc/tools%20and%20publications%20updated.htm

ONE DC in the News::
http://www.mannadc.org/mannacdc/the%20cdc%20in%20the%20news%20updated.htm

To subscribe to our E-newsletter::
http://ui.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?p=oi&m=1101048612373

___________________________________________________

Email: mvizueta at mannadc.org
Phone: 202-232-2915
Web: http://www.mannadc.org/mannacdc.htm

ONE DC (formerly Manna CDC) | 614 S Street NW | Rear Carriage House |
Washington | DC | 20001