Department of Justice announces funds to support innovative and collaborative approaches to promoting community-wide awareness of the rights and available services for all types of crime victims during NCVRW, April 23-29, 2006. Eligible applicants include city or township governments, county governments, state governments, nonprofit, faith, and community- based organizations. Approximately 60 awards up to $5,000 are available.

Each April since 1981, OVC has helped lead communities across the country in their observances of National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW). Public rallies, candlelight vigils, and a host of commemorative activities promote victims' rights and services in all sectors of our society.

Hearing Dates and Locations:

Monday, November 7, 2005 ~ 7:00 p.m. Metropolitan Police Department, Regional Operations Command North 801 Shepherd Street, NW

Tuesday, November 8, 2005 ~ 7:00 p.m. Marshall Heights Community Development Organization 3939 Benning Road, NE

Tuesday, November 15, 2005 ~ 7:00 p.m. Washington Highlands Library 115 Atlantic Street, SW

Wednesday, November 16, 2005 ~ 7:00 p.m. Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church Family Life Center 605 Rhode Island Avenue, N.E.

Friday, November 18, 2005 ~ 12:00 p.m.
Focus: Special Needs Housing (including housing needs for homeless, persons with disabilities, persons living with HIV/AIDS) Department of Housing and Community Development 801 North Capitol Street, NE, 9th Floor Board Room

If you would like to testify, you are encouraged to sign up in advance either by e-mail (Pamela.Hillsman@dc.gov), or by calling 202.442.7256.
Please provide your name, address, telephone number, and organization affiliation, if any. Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) relay service is available by calling (800) 201-7165. A sign language interpreter and Spanish translation services will be provided at the hearing. Written statements may be submitted at the hearing, or until 4:45 p.m., Friday, November 18, 2005. Written statements should be addressed to: Mr. Jalal Greene, Director, Department of Housing and Community Development, ATTN: Office of Strategy and Communications, 801 North Capitol Street, N.E., 8th Floor, Washington, D. C. 20002.

Mayor Williams will convene citizens, elected officials and community leaders to begin making the tough choices involved in determining the citywide policies and priorities of the District government in the areas of youth development, employment and economic opportunity and affordable housing.

Over the past six years, Mayor Williams has engaged more than 10,000 citizens in this unique planning process. As in past years, the daylong Citizen Summit ? the largest town hall meeting in the United States ? will significantly influence decisions with respect to the District?s annual spending priorities and legislative initiatives.

To volunteer call 202-727-2823 or visit website at www.citizensummit.dc.gov

NWLC is now accepting applications for its second class of the Progressive Leadership and Advocacy Network (PLAN) program in an effort to connect and support a diverse group of emerging advocacy leaders nationwide working on issues that affect low- income women and their families.

The 2006 class of PLAN will bring together up-and- coming advocates who have demonstrated a commitment to working in a professional capacity on issues impacting low-income women and help these leaders develop the skills and networks necessary to take their advocacy to new heights of effectiveness.

NWLC mission is to protect and advance the progress of women and girls at work, in school, and in virtually every aspect of their lives.

Topics to be discussed include abuses within juvenile detention facilities, HIV-positive immigration detainees, particular episodes of abuse in D.C. jails and possible approaches to restricting prison abuse.

Contact arp7@georgetown.edu for more information

Invites you to a Special screening of the award- winning film ON THE OUTS.

Followed by A Seminar for Youth Service Providers

The film powerfully addresses issues that affect our urban youth ? family struggles, relationships, sex, teen pregnancy and motherhood, drugs, addiction, and youth violence. Time Out New York writes, ?Thanks to impressively assured acting, writing and directing, their evocation of urban life and the uneasy emotional conflicts bubbling within each of the protagonists is never less than absorbing and feels shockingly fresh.? This sensitive, human portrayal makes the film a powerful teaching tool for young people and youth service providers ? we can engage with the tough issues youth struggle with without making them feel judged or looked down upon.

ON THE OUTS EDUCATION INITIATIVE is a project of The Hip Hop Theater Festival in collaboration with Youth House Productions and The Arts for Social Change.

A youth screening will follow for more info or for tickets please contact Natalia Marlow 202-529-5261 x303

If you would like to share any announcements from your organization or campus with the CoRAL Network community, send a brief blurb to kcarter@coralnetwork.org by close of business each Thursday for inclusion in the following Monday's Newsbits.

Please note that submissions MUST be about local events, news, opportunities and activities that are related to community affairs in the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Northern Virginia.