The latest edition of the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter is available now! You can read at ward5.us/news and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

This Saturday!! Gather: Michigan Pk Community Playground (Wynton St NE) @10:30am ➡️ End: Lost Gen Brewing featuring Silver & Sons BBQ 🍗

Today, we are testifying at the DC Council in support of the SOUL Act introduced by @cmzparker5.bsky.social. Right now, more than half of young people in DC's foster system age out of foster care without a permanent plan, such as family reunification, adoption, or legal guardianship.

Tomorrow, six of the bills in the C.A.R.E. for Youth Plan will get a joint hearing. I'm looking forward to hearing testimony from dozens of public witnesses and from government witnesses on how we can strengthen these bills to improve youth wellbeing in the District. 🧵👇🏾

Tune in tmrw as @cmzparker5.bsky.social & @cmbrookepinto.bsky.social hold a hearing on a bill to establish SOUL, a new permanency goal for older youth in foster care. Individuals w/ experience in care will share why SOUL is needed & how they developed the bill with government agencies & partners.

The latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter is available now! You can read at ward5.us/news, listen at ward5.us/newsletter, and catch up on previous episodes of the Ward 5 Wave Podcast at ward5.us/podcast.

DC is set to become the first city in the U.S. to implement a local child tax credit. It stands to transform lives + reduce child poverty by 25%. When we lift families out of poverty, we see outcomes across their lives improve: from education, to health, to employment, and more. 👉🏾 wapo.st/3XaOyEK

Kept a promise to DCI students to come back for a Dragon TV interview about public service and what I love about Ward 5 and the District. It was a good time!

Join me in celebrating a huge victory for working-class families across the District: we secured the first-ever District Child Tax Credit and an acceleration of the Earned Income Tax Credit expansion. 🎉

I'm dogged about alleviating poverty in the District for families and children. That's why I've championed the Child Tax Credit, shown to be the single most effective anti-poverty measure in the past 60+ years. Tomorrow, I'm moving an amendment alongside 9 of my colleagues to finally secure it.

The latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter is available now! You can read at ward5.us/news and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter. Happy Halloween! 👻 🎃 🧌

Reminder about tonight's meeting! Hope to see Brentwood/Brookland Manor neighbors there as we discuss a number of community concerns. ⏰ October 30, 6:30 p.m. 📍 Brentwood Rec Center (2311 14th St NE)

If you actually live in DC you should submit testimony for this initiative. BCBS has tried to do copay or testing fees for regular PrEP testing.

The District has made progress driving down rates of HIV and AIDS, and we need to continue our efforts. I invite you to come testify in support of a bill I introduced earlier this year, the PrEP DC Act of 2025, at the Committee on Health's hearing this Thursday at 9:30 a.m. Sign up at ward5.us/prep.

Tomorrow! Reminder to register at ward5.us/publicsafetycall

The latest editions of the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter and the Ward 5 Wave Podcast are available now! You can read at ward5.us/news, listen at ward5.us/podcast, and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

While the District continues to see encouraging declines in crime, we know there is more work to do and that ongoing federal surge presents challenges. Join us on October 29 for the next Ward 5 Public Safety Call to get updates and ask questions. Register at ward5.us/publicsafetycall

The latest edition of the Ward 5 Weekly newsletter is available now! You can read at ward5.us/news and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter. You can also catch up on episodes of the Ward 5 Wave podcast at ward5.us/podcast.

Everyone has the constitutional right to protest, gather peacefully, and make their voices heard. Today, we are releasing guidance to make clear what is and what is not permitted under federal and local laws for protests in the nation's capital. Know your rights, DC:

The CARE for Youth Plan includes a bill addressing absenteeism and truancy in the District. Yesterday's hearing in the Committee of the Whole on absenteeism and today's hearing in the Committee on Youth Affairs brings these issues to the fore. See coverage from @washingtonpost.com - wapo.st/4heWRJ1

Last week @cmzparker5.bsky.social introduced the SOUL Amendment Act, which will help older youth in foster care leave the system with legal, caring relationships and lasting supports as they take on adult responsibilities. Thank you CM Parker for bringing this important bill to the Council!

Reminder: the deadline to sign up for the October 16 Roundtable on Overcrowding at YSC is tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. 👉🏾 lims.dccouncil.gov/Hearings/hea...

The latest editions of the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter and Ward 5 Wave Podcast are available now! You can read at ward5.us/news, listen at ward5.us/podcast, and subscribe to get the newsletter straight to your inbox every Friday at ward5.us/newsletter.

There's been a lot of talk about youth and crime in D.C. since President Trump retook office. But Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker (@cmzparker5.bsky.social) says he has a new plan that is actually aimed at addressing the root causes of violence. More here, in his opinion piece:

The C.A.R.E. for Youth Plan is one small step and a call to action. 👉🏾 Check out my op-ed in @51st.news 51st.news/dc-juvenile-...

My team & I visited Dunbar HS today to hear students' thoughts on policies in the C.A.R.E. for Youth Plan I introduced this week, along with other relevant issues including the recently enacted cell phone ban at DC Public Schools and public safety incidents among high school students.

My office has two tickets to give away to the Capital's home opener tonight against the Boston Bruins! Must be a Ward 5 resident to enter. Email [email protected].

Happening now - the Council's Legislative Meeting. Tune in here: dc.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.... Make sure you're subscribed to the Ward 5 Weekly for a recap of the meeting happenings in my newsletter this week: ward5.us/newsletter

DC's juvenile detention center has been over it's 98-bed capacity every day since April 22, 2025. This is unacceptable. Join the Committee on Youth Affairs for a Public Roundtable on Overcrowding at YSC, October 16. Sign up at ward5.us/oct16.

Chag Sukkot Sameach to neighbors in Ward 5 and beyond beginning their holiday celebrations this evening! Wishing you meaningful and grateful reflection on life's journeys.

🆕 I'm introducing a 16-bill policy package called the C.A.R.E. for Youth Plan to tackle a range of issues facing young people in the District — from truancy, to financial stability, to parent engagement and more. 👉🏾 Learn more: ward5.us/careforyouth 👉🏾 Join us in our efforts: ward5.us/dcyouth

The latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter is out now! You can read at ward5.us/news and subscribe to get the newsletter straight to your inbox every Friday evening at ward5.us/newsletter.

Join us in standing up for DC youth! Sign up at ward5.us/dcyouth and learn more at zacharyparkerward5.com/committee-on-youth-affairs/

G'mar Tov and blessings for a meaningful fast this Yom Kippur to neighbors in Ward 5 and beyond. May this holiday bring liberating renewal.

I visited DC International School today to hear about the matriculation of students from Ward 5 schools like Mundo Verde PCS, DC Bilingual PCS, and EW Stokes PCS, as I continue to advocate for the expansion of dual-language and immersion programs.

The latest editions of the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter and Ward 5 Wave Podcast are available now! You can read at ward5.us/news, listen at ward5.us/podcast, and subscribe to get the newsletter straight to your inbox every Friday evening at ward5.us/newsletter.

Confidential. Safe. Free. For everyone. The new ASK DC from the DC Coalition to End Sexual Violance (DCCESV) is live with expanded languages and accessibility tools. Learn more: askdc.org. #ASKDC #EndSexualViolence

DHCD sent out a last-minute notice after 5:00 p.m. indicating that this listening session was cancelled. We will keep neighbors updated on a new date once confirmed.

Shanah Tovah! I am sending warm Rosh Hashanah wishes to all Ward 5 neighbors and district residents celebrating. May this year bring strength, sweetness, and the reminder that even in tough times, new beginnings are always possible.

This evening! 👇🏾 dhcd.dc.gov/event/dhcds-...

The latest Ward 5 Weekly newsletter is out now! You can read it at ward5.us/news and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

Join #DDOTDC's Urban Forestry Division at Ward 5 Day tomorrow (9/20). Our Arborists will be available to answer your questions about #DC's tree canopy, spotted lanternflies, and more! Don't miss it. See the details below 👇

Tomorrow. Turkey Thicket Rec. 12-5pm. Don’t meet me there; beat me there!

Ward 5 Day is tomorrow! There's so much to look forward to: 📸 - Ward 5 group picture at 1:30 p.m.! 🍧 - Sweets from Rita's Italian Ice & Custard 🍗 - Eats from @DCitySmokehouse (and many others at the "Taste of Ward 5") 🎶 - E.U. & Sugar Bear 🤸🏾‍♀️ - Games, moon bounce, go-karts, history, and more!

Thanks to everyone who came out for our community bike ride down the MBT and happy hour at @metrobardc! A beautiful evening with neighbors. 🥂🚲

Ward 5 Week continues this evening with a bike ride and happy hour @metrobardc.bsky.social ! Meet up at the Takoma Metro Station at 5pm for a short, leisurely ride exploring the nearly completed Takoma-Fort Totten segment of the Metropolitan Branch Trail. From there, we'll continue to metrobar!

Ward 5 Day is this Saturday! You don't want to miss it. EU & Sugar Bear will bring the music, @DCitySmokehouse will bring the eats (plus samples from restaurants across Ward 5 as part of the "Taste of Ward 5"), and there will be games, a youth entrepreneur fair, resource tables, go-karts, and more!

Rain couldn't keep us down yesterday at Ward 5 Day @ Nationals Stadium! We weathered through to cheer on the home team as Ward 5 Week continues.

Ward 5 Week continued yesterday with a KinCare rally on the steps of the Wilson building! Extended family members and loved ones who care for children are a central part of healthy communities and they deserve our support.

Thanks to everyone who joined us! We learned about paletas, barrios, and how to be a good neighbor. Happy Hispanic Heritage month! Happy Ward 5 Week!