As part of the DC 2050 engagement process, the DC Office of Planning has awarded a total of $75,000 in grants to three community-based organizations in the District to lead targeted engagement efforts. Over the next eight months, The Coalition, Many Languages One Voice, and Congress Heights Community Training and Development Corporation (CHCTDC) will plan and host inclusive community engagement activities across the District. They’ll focus on connecting with lower-income Black residents in Wards 5, 7, and 8 and residents with limited English proficiency.
“As we create DC 2050, we’re looking forward to working closely with these organizations to make sure that we hear from District residents of all backgrounds, and to reach those who have been underrepresented at our events so far,” said OP Director Anita Cozart. “I'm excited to see these organizations engage residents to provide meaningful feedback on how the city should grow and change.”
These organizations bring deep knowledge about the District’s communities and creative approaches for meaningful and inclusive engagement. The work they lead will help us ensure that harder-to-reach residents are not left out of the process to develop the District’s next comprehensive plan.
Congress Heights Community Training and Development Corporation
Pictured: CHCTDC’s logo.
CHCTDC's plan focuses on connecting with residents in Ward 8, with particular attention to Congress Heights, Shipley Terrace, Bellevue, Anacostia and Buena Vista. The organization is Black-led and Ward-8 rooted, operating “from the heart” of Ward 8 for over two decades.
“We’re excited to be part of the DC 2050 effort and to contribute work that centers community voice, equity, and long-term impact,” said CHCTDC Executive Director Stephanie Campbell. “This support allows us to deepen our engagement and help shape solutions that reflect the lived experiences of District residents.”
Many Languages One Voice
Pictured: The Many Languages One Voice team
Many Languages One Voice (MLOV) brings a culturally responsive approach to engaging communities where English is not the primary language. Founded in 2010, MLOV’s mission is to foster civic participation among immigrant communities in Washington, DC. As part of the DC 2050 planning process, MLOV will convene multilingual focus groups with the non-English or limited-English speakers to ensure that diverse voices and perspectives are meaningfully included. MLOV will also prioritize engaging immigrant youth through dedicated listening sessions and a youth leadership advisory council, recognizing their vital role in shaping the District’s future. Through these efforts, MLOV will create accessible and welcoming spaces for the community to inform the DC 2050 planning process by sharing their lived experiences.
The Coalition
Pictured: The Coalition team with OP staff following a joint community outreach event
The Coalition, formerly the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development, plans to focus on connecting with engaged residents in Wards 5 and 7 through a series of hyperlocal “porches to policy” events.
“We’re grateful to the DC Office of Planning for selecting The Coalition for this competitive grant and trusting us to bring a community-led model of stakeholder engagement to the 2050 Comprehensive Plan process," said Lamar Richards, Senior Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement at The Coalition. "Porches to Policy grew out of our Community Voices Academy and Resident Engagement Network, building on nearly three decades of impact and our ability to translate lived experience into policy outcomes. We’re excited to partner with neighbors in Wards 5 and 7 to meet people where they are and ensure their priorities shape the District’s Comprehensive Plan.”
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