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Dear Neighbors,
Earlier this week, my team and I spent time at Food & Friends to help them prepare for one of their biggest days of the year – Thanksgiving! Food & Friends provides medically tailored meals and groceries to thousands of individuals in DC and surrounding areas who live with life-changing illnesses. For Thanksgiving, everyone gets a turkey and enough sides to feed a family of five. With less than 80 staff members, they are only able to accomplish their tasks with an army of volunteers. Team Henderson was proud to be in the number yet again! It was a great reminder that our community at its best gives back and aids others.
With the end of the year in view, and the effects of the last few months still looming, I'd like to encourage everyone to take this moment to find their breath. Think of all you have survived so far this year. Think of the ways in which you have thrived. And think of the people who supported you along the way. Take a moment to verbally express gratitude and thanks – it’s good for the soul.
As I was typing this, we received the news that Mayor Bowser has decided not to seek another term. There will be plenty of time to recap her historic three terms as Mayor, but for now I will just say this. Mayor Bower has navigated the District through various challenges during her tenure. Public service is not easy, and to do it in this city as an ANC Commissioner, Councilmember, and Mayor – we salute you, Mayor Bowser, on your decades-long service to your hometown!
This newsletter is shorter but filled with family fun activities and legislative updates – the Committee on Health will be busy next month. Have a great Thanksgiving!
In Service,
Christina Henderson
Councilmember, At-Large
ChristinaHendersonDC.com
On Thursday, November 20, the Committee on Health held a public roundtable on the nominations of Tracy Hamilton and Angela Hardiman to the Board of Social Work. The discussion focused on each nominee’s broad experience, their approaches to bolstering licensure oversight, and their priorities for advancing the profession. Ms. Hamilton emphasized the creation of an ethics hotline to support social workers facing immediate ethical dilemmas, while Ms. Hardiman highlighted the need for increased education and awareness of the Board’s broader role. Both nominees confirmed their commitment and capacity to serve while addressing challenges like interagency coordination and workforce demand.
On Tuesday, November 18, the Council convened a breakfast meeting with members of the State Board of Education (SBOE). The meeting was a platform for the SBOE to discuss what concerns are affecting their constituents and the need to have more agency to create feasible solutions for the education community. Councilmembers committed to facilitating more consistent meetings to increase transparency. In response to concerns raised regarding a homeless encampment outside of Houston Elementary in Ward 7, Councilmember Henderson has been in contact with the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services to provide the appropriate redress.
On Thursday, November 20, the Committee of the Whole held a public oversight hearing on Adult Workforce Education. Present at the hearing were literacy experts, public charter school leaders, government officials from the education and employment sectors, and public witnesses. This hearing aimed to highlight the models in the District for adult literacy and workforce education and receive suggestions on how the District can improve and capitalize on its foundation moving forward.
At the hearing, leaders discussed the strides that the District has made to close the adult literacy gap and equip residents the with the skills and credentials to earn high-wage jobs. Councilmember Henderson addressed the changes to federal work requirements, which became effective on November 1, and encouraged leaders to invest in resources to educate adult learners about these changes and the impact they would have on SNAP and Medicaid eligibility. Councilmember Henderson also asked what the District should be focusing on ahead of budget season to make quality investments in this sector. The main concerns included childcare support, transportation stipends, and investments in grant supports and the Uniform Per Student Funding Formula to provide resources to meet the moment.
Hearing from Hospitality Workers
On Friday, November 21, Councilmember Henderson met with UNITE HERE Local 23, the food service and hospitality workers union, at the Convention Center for a walk-through behind the scenes and in the kitchen. Contracts for hundreds of people who work for Aramark at venues including the Convention Center, Capital One Arena and Nats Park have expired or are about to expire. At-Large Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie and Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen also attended the tour.
Caring for Furry Friends
On Tuesday, November 25, Councilmember Henderson toured the new animal shelter operated by Brandywine Valley SPCA and opened in a former DC government warehouse space at DC Village on the southern tip of Ward 8. In the 11 months since the organization got the contract to operate animal control services in DC, the organization has been working with DC Health and the Department of General Services to transition to the new space, build capacity to handle the influx of animals since the pandemic, and ramp up communication with residents about opportunities for adoptions and veterinary and spay/neuter services. You can learn more here.
CityCenterDC Christmas Tree Lighting
CityCenterDC invites you to kick off the holiday season with the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting–standing high at 75 feet–on Saturday, November 29 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. The evening will include a joyful music performance, balloon artists, face painters, holiday treats and more. NBC4’s Eun Yang will host the official tree lighting ceremony and countdown. Grammy Award-winning singer, Michelle Williams, will also join as the stage headliner, adding an extra burst of sparkle and excitement to the celebration.
Festivities start at 5:00pm. The Tree Lighting program starts at 6:00pm. This event is free and open to all, and no tickets are required.
DowntownDC Holiday Market
Now in its 21st year, the DowntownDC Holiday Market boasts 119 small and local businesses on F Street NW between 7th and 9th Streets NW, including more than 20 first-time participants. The market will run until Tuesday, December 23, and will feature a “Made in DC” booth highlighting a curated selection of local makers and entrepreneurs, 15 festive food vendors, and live entertainment presented by the Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment.
The market takes place between on F Street NW, between 7th & 9th Street NW.
Frosted at Franklin Park
Frosted at Franklin Park returns from November 21 to January 7. Wander the evenings through a display of thousands of tiny festive bright lights, bringing a shimmery cool front to Franklin Park every day from 4:30pm to 7:00am. Gleaming photo opportunities run throughout the park to turn nightly strolls into radiant memories. Don’t miss the bright glittery icicle walkway, giant illuminating snowflakes, Baby and Momma Bear, and a giant star.
Be sure to stop at Frosted at Franklin Park on Friday, December 12 and Saturday, December 20 for free family-friendly activities happening both days.
December 12 & 20 | 6:00pm to 7:00pm
Holiday Boat Parade & Party
Join us on Saturday, December 6, for the Holiday Boat Parade & Party at The Wharf. This free event features 60+ beautifully decorated boats parading along up the Washington Channel, as well as fun landslide holiday activities including hot toddies, live music, ornament decorating, holiday karaoke, family photos with Santa, fireworks and so much more.
You can register for the event, here.
Ice Skating Across the District
If you’re looking to get outside, ice skating is back at various locations across the District. This weekend is an excellent time to beat the crowds.
2025 Fall Leaf Collection
Leaf collection in Section B in Wards 1-8 is still underway. Section C in Wards 1-8 should get ready. Section C, please have your leaves at the tree box or curbside by Sunday, November 30, leaf collection will occur on Monday, December 1. All sections will receive two weekends’ notice of when to rake their leaves out to the tree box or curb. Find raking tips and more information at dpw.dc.gov/leaf. During leaf season, weekly updates will be provided on DPWs location and where they will be collecting leaves. Stay tuned for the latest schedules, so you can know when crews will be in your neighborhood.
To follow live updates click, here.
Register for EdFEST!
My School DC is excited to bring you EdFEST, DC’s annual public school fairs! Find the school your child will call “My School” this December 6 and December 13.
Register HEREfor EdFEST (Grades 9-12)
Saturday, December 6,
10:00am to 2:00pm
Eastern High School (1700 East Capitol St NE)
Register HERE for EdFEST (PK3 – Grade 8)
Saturday, December 13,
10:00am to 2:00pm
NEW Venue: Kraken Kourts & Skates (514 Rhode Island Ave NE)
*Interpretation in American Sign Language, Spanish, Amharic, Mandarin, Vietnamese, and French available throughout the day.
Plan for Emergencies
Having an emergency plan is one of the most important ways you can protect yourself and your family in an emergency. This Thanksgiving discuss your emergency plans with your house guests during the holidays. For more information on how to create your own emergency plan visit ReadyDC.
Talent Capital
Talent Capital is a regional initiative housed by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments that enables the Greater Washington region to plan training and education systems based on real-time labor market dynamics. You can access it, here.
Have a constituent service need related to the Health Committee or any of the other agencies in DC Government? Want Councilmember Henderson to come to your community event or meeting? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our Constituent Services Director Ana Berrios-Vazquez during regular business hours (9:00am - 5:30pm) at 202-724-8105, or ABerriosVazquez@dccouncil.gov.
You can visit us online at christinahendersondc.com. Or stay connected by following Councilmember Christina Henderson on her socials.
Website: christinahendersondc.com
Twitter (X): @CMCHenderson
Instagram: @christinahendersondc
Facebook: @christinahendersondc
Bluesky: @cmchenderson.bsky.social