In April 2019, my dear friend believed he was destined to follow his father's fate as a double amputee due to type 2 diabetes. He was taking two insulin shots daily and struggling to maintain a balanced diet. I convinced him that his type 2 diabetes could be reversed. I did some research and put together an evidence-based curriculum for reversing type 2 diabetes. I prepared fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, beans, and lean meats for my dear friend. Two weeks later, my friend received the news from his doctor, "You are no longer diabetic. I'm taking you off your insulin."
April 2020 marks his one-year anniversary. As we celebrate his triumph over type 2 diabetes, I want to help more people. I want to show people how to select and prepare healthy foods for a family on a tight budget of $20.00. I want to help people believe it is possible for them to reverse food-driven disorders like type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and high blood pressure – without supplements but with loving colorful plant-based foods. In fact, “…adding color to your meals will help you live a longer, healthier life[.]” according to Katherine D. McManus, Director of the Department of Nutrition and Director of the Dietetic Internship at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School in Boston (https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/phytonutrients-paint-your-plate-with-the-colors-of-the-rainbow-2019042516501. And phytonutrients (the pigments in fruits and vegetables) can lower the risk of heart disease and some types of cancer according to a meta-analysis published in the International Journal of Epidemiology (https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/46/3/1029/3039477). Since reading science journals can be out of reach for vulnerable populations who may not be comfortable extracting interpretations from scholarly literature. I am honored to be a bridge to helpful information.
I believe preparing food is a sacred act that should involve celebration and most importantly, the feeling of love should be incorporated into the food. The original goal of the Eat Love Campaign was to have group cooking celebrations that would infuse live music, dancing, poetry, meditation, and yoga in Ward 8. But after COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on public gatherings were enforced, I pivoted to an online campaign. I want to engage all ages of people in Ward 8 and beyond. I’m looking to connect with wellness stakeholders and social media influencers to help get the word out and “flatten the curve” by promoting the benefits of eating loving foods like fruits and vegetables of all different colors to enhance the consumption of phytonutrients.
Residents that are homebound because of COVID-19 can request support from the District for food and other essential items. Call 1-888-349-8323 or click here: https://coronavirus.dc.gov/gethelp
Note: Student grocery distribution sites will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2020.
P-EBT provides food benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card to District families with children who normally receive free or reduced-price school meals if not for school closures due to COVID-19. The daily food benefit is equal to $5.70 per child per school day or $28.50 per week and can be used to purchase food at stores that accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP; formally food stamps) EBT benefits and can also be used to purchase food for delivery online at Amazon.
District families with children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals will receive benefits automatically. If the family current receives SNAP or TANF, P-EBT benefits will be automatically loaded onto the family’s existing EBT card. Families not on SNAP or TANF will automatically receive an EBT card in the mail with their P-EBT benefits pre-loaded. More information can be found at the DHS P-EBT page at dhs.dc.gov/p-ebt or by calling the P-EBT Call Center at (202) 868-6663 from 7:30 am - 4:45 pm, Monday – Friday.
For Seniors
The Department of Aging and Community Living’s hotline is operational, and seniors who need information or assistance should call (202) 724-5626. The call center will conduct a quick assessment and connect you to the appropriate service.
Following on Mayor Bowser’s DC Small Business Recovery Microgrants Program, the Department of Housing and Community Development is launching an additional grant opportunity specifically for small businesses in Ward 7 and 8.
The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will make available approximately $800,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding allocated from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to eligible for-profit small businesses.
Businesses must demonstrate a need for short-term working capital to retain jobs held by low- and moderate-income employees that may be lost due to business closures related to COVID-19. The program will provide support up to $10,000 for short term working capital to fund wages to avoid job loss caused by business closures or reduction in business due to social distancing, rent, utilities, interim operating expenses.
Deadline
Applications will be accepted through at 10 am on Friday, May 29, 2020.
PLEASE NOTE: To help enforce social distancing, DHS Service Centers are open only for picking up and dropping off public benefits applications and documents. All applications and documents must be placed in an envelope provided at the service center. Applicants must write their full name and phone number on the front of the envelope prior to placing it in an application drop box located in a service center lobby. During the COVID-19 State of Emergency, new applicants may be contacted by a DHS representative by phone for an interview, if necessary, and if additional information is needed to complete the processing of an application.
Residents with questions about their public benefits provided by DHS should contact the Call Center at (202) 727-5355 from 7:30 AM - 4:45 PM, Monday - Friday.
Midcertifications & Recertifications of Public Benefits
Customers who receive SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, Alliance and other public benefits provided by DHS, do not need to take any action at this time to continue receiving existing benefits that would otherwise expire during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) State of Emergency. Those benefits will be automatically extended.
For more information about modified operations at DHS during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) State of Emergency, click here.
For more infomation and resources about COVID-19, visit coronavirus.dc.gov.
Expansion of Unemployment Insurance Benefits under the New CARES Act (Updated April 30, 2020)
The federal government recently passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which includes an expansion of unemployment insurance benefits for District of Columbia workers.
You MUST file for regular UI benefits before completing the PUA application. Please carefully review How to File a PUA Claim
PUA is effective February 2, 2020 through December 26, 2020.
Individuals who are typically ineligible for regular UI (i.e. independent contractors, gig workers, those with insufficient work history) that cannot work due to COVID-19 are potentially eligible for a maximum of 39 weeks of benefits, which includes $600 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC).
If you are eligible for PUA, then you MUST file your weekly continued claim forms through Claimant Services for all weeks you are requesting benefits.
Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC)
As of April 21, 2020, FPUC payments are being issued to all eligible claimants.
Effective March 29, 2020 through July 25, 2020.
$600 per week on top of current regular UI benefits, PEUC and PUA benefits.
PEUC is available to claimants who established a claim with a benefit year ending after July 1, 2019 and who have either exhausted their entitlement or whose benefit year has expired.
Effective March 29, 2020 through December 26, 2020.
13 additional weeks of UI benefits, plus $600 FPUC, although FPUC expires at the end of July 2020.
Advertising opportunities now available!
Need help getting the word out? Advertising opportunities are available via the CHotR daily digest and at congressheightsontherise.com.
Email The Advoc8te for details about running ads or consulting services!
Have a question? Check out the FAQs!
An entire page of information to help you out!
Spread love!
Southeast Love merchandise is now available! Check out our online store. Need Southeast Love shirts branded with your organization's logo? Custom and group orders are now available. Email The Advoc8te for details!
CONGRESS HEIGHTS ON THE RISE, A PROJECT OF WARD 8 SMALL BUSINESS
