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Dr. King's Legacy Remembered During UPO Celebration

Who would have dreamed 17-years ago that one day more than 1,250 people would attend the then fledgling Washington, DC celebration of life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.?

After years hovering around the 1000 mark, UPO this year greeted the record assemblage that gathered at the spacious Marriott Wardman Park Hotel for the annual ceremony. The event’s site was earlier changed to accommodate what agency officials thought would be ever increasing audiences. “We can no longer fit into the [old] hotel,” observed a UPO employee, citing the need to move the Breakfast the new facility.

But record attendance tells only part of the story.

It’s sometimes forgotten that UPO was one of Washington’s first organized celebrations of Dr. King’s life, several years before the date was officially designated a national holiday by the U.S. Congress. There’s much more to the overall UPO story. At its inception, the agency pioneered many activities that have since become part of the nation’s lexicon. Head Start is one such activity that started in UPO during a 1964 test phase prior to the actual roll-out of that highly praised national childhood educational program one year later. Legal Aid and Community Credit Unions are other pioneering concepts.

UPO Board of Trustees President Russell D. Simmons formally welcomed attendees noting that all gathered “honor the ideals of a man who was the preeminent leader of a civil rights movement that continues to transform America and the world.” Mr. Simmons outlined many UPO accomplishments noting that the agency had reached the $30 million annual budget mark. “We’ve come along way to strengthen the organization so that we can provide services to residents of the District of Columbia” he added.

DC Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes-Norton, D-DC, let it be known that the agency was truly foremost on her mind discussing just how much all citizens appreciate UPO’s 17 year tradition of honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and using funds raised to endow scholarships. She then outlined her ongoing goals to attain full voter representation on Capitol Hill for DC residents, something that is available for all citizens in the Nation.

DC Mayor Anthony Williams told the gathering “Dr. King achieved so much in so little time.” He then challenged the group to use the time we have to do good things for our community, urging the group to “think about Dr. King’s words and dedicate ourselves to work together for the youth of our city.” The Mayor then urged audience members to make certain those who have always lived in the city “participate in the good times to come,” reflected on the “leave no one behind” scenario.

The first of several awards were presented to outstanding citizens and corporations. First, DC City Councilmember Sandra “Sandy” Allen, D-Ward 8, who heads the Council’s Committee on Human Services, presented the UPO/Mildred Claypoole Community Service Award to Ms. Mildred Brooks for the advocation of high nutrition standards to the community and for her role in the WIC (Women Infants and Children) program. UPO Board of Trustees member Dorothy Brown presented the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Award to the Healthy Babies Project.

UPO Board of Trustees Vice President the Honorable Annice M. Wagner, introduced the keynote speaker by presenting a synopsis of his life and work. Noting that Dr. Alvin O. Jackson had not been in the District of Columbia for many years, he nonetheless has made quite an impact upon the lives of citizens during his tenure.

Dr. Alvin O. Jackson, Senior Pastor of the National City Christian Church provided attendees with a sample of his superb oratory and sincere words. Opening his speech, Dr. Jackson remembered his specific location the day Dr. King was assassinated remembering how a car filled with white youths sped around a Mississippi town gleefully shouting “We got Martin Luther ‘Coon!’” “I felt rage, I felt frustration, I felt anxiety, but more than that, I felt alone,” Dr. Jackson said of that dreadful day adding “I felt lonely because my advocate had been taken away.” “The Dream yet lives. Martin Luther King, Jr. was simply the steward of the Dream,” noting “Had the Dream belonged to Dr. King, Bull Conners’ dogs would have eaten it up - Lestor Mattox’s waterhoses would have drowned it! The Dream belongs to God.” In closing his address, Dr. Jackson noted the District of Columbia has much to do in the years ahead. “We’ve got much cleaning-up to do in this nation,” adding, “We are fighting for the right to vote in Congress (District of Columbia residents) and we must continue our fight!” UPO Board of Trustees member Erias Hyman, esq, presented a Special Award to Mr. Tim Kaufman of Riggs Bank for its “Tools for Schools” program. Mr. Hyman also presented a special award to Kaiser Permanente (see “Kaiser Permanente” article this page). Receiving the Corporate Community Services Award was Bruce Klores of Bruce Klores and Associates.

UPO Executive Director Benjamin Jennings presented a Special Recognition Award to METRO’s Finest, a group of METRO (transit agency) employees who have assisted youth in the city. Mr. Jennings went on to thank the attendees for their long standing participation in UPO events. He went on to recognize agency staff, Board members, and UPO/Joseph A. Beavers Scholarship recipients (proceeds from the Breakfast endow the scholarship fund). Mr. Jennings also thanked the DC Department of Human Services, Department of Employment Services, Department of Housing and Community Development, DC Office on Aging, and the Mayor’s Office on Early Childhood Development.

Meanwhile, the unequivocal support shown by the DC community toward UPO, a major District of Columbia institution for nearly 39 years, was a clear indication that the agency is needed to continue and even enhance its unique service delivery for years to come. Plans are already underway for the 18th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast January 21, 2002.

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Kaiser Permanente Grant Targets Special Health Needs

A U.S. Surgeon General’s Report indicates that of the various health problems plaguing many individuals in the African American community, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity top the list.

To help alleviate the problem in the District of Columbia, Kaiser Permanente awarded UPO a $25,000 grant to help create a “Fit For Life” program geared mainly toward low-income individuals and families. UPO will provide matching funds.

“Fit For Life” will introduce participants to proper nutrition through the development of diet and exercise regimens that specifically target life-style, income, and culinary preferences of low-income individuals. An important component is the design of menus that are acceptable to the target population.

A team of graduate students from area universities will develop exercise programs and nutritional schedules for each group. Plans are for the programs to be culturally sensitive to the needs of participants.

Plans call for 50 participants, recruited from UPO neighborhood centers and agency funded organizations throughout the city, to take part in the program which will ultimately develop a booklet of successful menus and diet selections for distribution to the community at-large.

According to Vanessa Rawls, director of UPO’s Office of Community Programs, the activity’s staff will include a researcher experienced in either biology, chemistry, or psychology; a medical resident; a nutritionist; a gourmet chef; and a physical education professional.

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UPO Neighborhood Development Center #1

It stands tall as UPO’s eyes and ears in that historic Washington, DC neighborhood called Shaw, and without a doubt, Neighborhood Development Center #1 has lived up to its billing by providing a multiplicity of quality services to neighborhood residents, a task that can be very demanding and at times somewhat undaunting.

Yet its staff, headed by Branch Chief Priscilla G. Francis (see side bar, page 7) works on, toiling in the ongoing battle to help foster better lives for the neighborhood, its residents, and the community at-large.

Just who are these privates in that still undeclared “War On Poverty-DC style?”
NDC #1, comprised of 11 staff members along with a host of volunteers, is a neighborhood development center, one of three directly operated by the United Planning Organization, which itself is the designated community action agency for the entire District of Columbia. UPO also funds seven autonomous delegate agencies, community-based groups that provide Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) services to other specific neighborhoods. Eighteen other UPO neighborhood grantees are program and/or community specific. Additionally, UPO directly operates seven early childhood development centers and provides funding to six Head Start/early childhood delegate agencies.

Located in the heart of a sprawling DC community once plagued by devastating riots following the 1968 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., NDC #1 has a rich and distinguished history as a servant to the community. It was established in 1964 becoming one of the first neighborhood efforts advanced during the formative days of the U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO). Shaw was one of only a few communities throughout the Washington, DC region designated to benefit from Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson Administrations’ plan to fight poverty at the neighborhood level. The District of Columbia, being the Nation’s Capital, was often thought to be a “showcase city,” often called upon to display to the world just what could be done to alleviate conditions that cause poverty.

NDC #1’s services are far reaching. The center helps prepare many neighborhood residents for the world of work via job readiness sessions. These sessions include professional and personal skills development and computer proficiency classes. In fact, the Center’s main reception area was converted into a comprehensive computer center. NDC #1 also provides job development and referrals, vocational counseling, G.E.D. classes and Pre G.E.D. assessment, placement, and referrals. Comprehensive counseling is a major part of NDC #1’s services to the community with the group providing customer case management for up to one year.

NDC #1 is a leader in the much praised gleaning effort and, with UPO, is part of the Washington Gleaning Network. The center participates in the gleaning endeavor every June through December making certain that those less fortunate will have enough to eat. NDC #1 also assists customers with health needs and refers them to the proper agencies. Ms. Janie Boyd sees to it that gleaning takes center stage.

As with all UPO neighborhood development centers, NDC #1 has an intensive emergency service unit that provides rental, utilities, and clothing referrals. Statistics show there is substantial need for emergency services in urban communities such as Shaw. The center also provides the neediest of community residents with holiday baskets as supplies last.

NDC #1 runs the UPO/DCPS Student Internship Program, headed by Cheryl West that provides job readiness and building trades exposure to approximately 50 neighborhood students. The center offers placement of high school juniors and seniors in certain pre-apprenticeships with contractors performing capital improvement work on various DC Public School buildings.

Employment opportunities are important and NDC #1 measures-up by linking with other community groups.Thanks to the efforts of organizations such as the NOAH Group, headed by Charlie Baumgardner, U.S. Department of Labor, DC Department of Employment Services, Organization for Training Others in Need (OFT/ON) headed by Carol A. Mumin, and the Washington Convention Center Authority, the Shaw Comprehensive Job Training Academy was formed as an entity designed to provide comprehensive computer skills and job readiness training to neighborhood residents. Ms. Murmin is project director of the evening program that enrolls roughly 32-students in 12-week sessions normally held Monday through Thursday evenings with Fridays reserved for math enrichment and G.E.D. tutoring if needed.

Mr. James I. Quarrelles chairs the NDC #1 Neighborhood Advisory Council which meets monthly. Meanwhile, UPO-NDC #1 is aggressively partnering with other neighborhood organizations in order to provide the highest quality services to area residents.

Priscilla G. Francis: NDC #1 Branch Chief
She’s been employed by UPO for virtually her entire adult life and has had the good fortune to have had both parents work for the agency in various capacities.

Still, Priscilla G. Francis, branch chief of UPO’s NDC #1, tackles challenges as if it’s “day one” of her agency employment. “She’s just totally committed,” observed a UPO employee who has known Ms. Francis for many years. It’s her tireless push for perfection that allows NDC#1 to standout among similar groups in the Shaw community.

There have been some “trying times” along the way. In May 1996, she suffered the tragic loss of her son. But somewhere in her mind was the need to serve her community. Thus, following a bereavement period, she was back at the helm hosting her center’s Neighborhood Advisory Council community hearing, finding ways to “help with other people’s problems.”

That’s her style.

Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be the only time the strong Priscilla G. Francis “will” would be due for a test. Just three years later, tragedy struck once again when her husband of nearly 30-years died following an illness.

She was soon back on-the-job, fighting for her beloved Shaw area residents. That’s what the community has come to expect from UPO’s NDC #1 Branch Chief Priscilla G. Francis.

It’s her style.

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