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www.columbuspm.orgwww.missionfirsthousing.org

twitter: @MissionFirstHG

CPM Connections is written by CPM’s Resident Services

Department.

Table of Contents

Page 2:February Calendar of Resident Programming

Directions for Using Zoom

Program Descriptions

Page 3:The MLK Banner Project

Page 4:Request for Resident Essays, Articles, or Poetry

Valentine’s Day Poem

Word Search: Happy Valentine’s Day!

RECIPE: Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

African Proverbs

Happy Birthday, February!

Page 5:Resources

TGIF: Virtual Programs

10 Black History Month Facts

COVID-19 Vaccine and Spread information

Newsletter for Columbus Property Management Residents February 2021

We are here for you!The Resident Services Department is here to support you and your family’s needs during the COVID-19 crisis. If you need any support, whether a need for food or navigation local government resources, please contact a member from our team for assistance.• Fredrick Hawkins at 202-549-4418 fhawkins@columbuspm.org

Available daily between the hours of 9am-5pm• Office closure: Offices are closed on Monday, February 15, 2021 in

observance of Presidents Day and weekends.

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by Black Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent Black Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history. It is important that we take a moment to recognize that many of us share a history of struggle and triumph, and each day, each one of us walks out of our doors, continuing a story that started long ago, a wonderful story to be proud of. That is what Black History Month is all about. Team Spotlight: William Foster - GRA Youth Coordinator William Foster has served the youth of Golden Rule Apartments for several years, and we are proud to have him on the team. During the last several months there were no in-person youth activities at GRA, including summer camp. William, knowing the importance of keeping in touch with our youth and moving the mission forward, continued selflessly to serve our children virtually, and maintain relationships and a bit of normalcy for the residents. In 2021, William aims to expand the GRA after-school tutoring program, connect with more parents, and work with more youth every day, so that they may reach their full academic potential. Education and Youth Development are his passions, and his motto is “It takes a village to raise one child”. William is dedicated, a product of an HBCU, Delaware State, and he assures 100 percent effort in helping our youth reach their goals. Thank you William for your work.

You are invited to join the Enoch Pratt Free Library as we celebrate African American Literature through our National African American Read-In virtual event. This event was established in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month. We invite you to share a favorite passage from a book by an African American author. Bring the family--this event is for all ages! Email events@prattlibrary.org if you are interested in participating. Virtual login details will follow.

February Calendar of Resident Programming• Participate in 10 programs this month and your household will receive $50 Gift Card •

Mondays Tuesdays Wednesdays Thursdays FridaysOffice Closed/

No Programs 2/15—

9:00 am - 10:00 amYMCA Morning

Stretch & RelaxationSee description for access information.

—11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Guided Meditation—

11:00 am - 12:00 pmAsk the Nurse

See description foraccess information.

11:00 am - 12:00 pmYMCA Kung Fu, Self Defense 4 Seniors

See description for access information.

—11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Virtual Check-In—

3:00 pm - 4:30 pmLittle Friends For

Peace: Grades K-5See description foraccess information.

1:00 pm - 2:00 pmFOOD by Chef Herb

See description for access information.

—1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Virtual Check-In—

2:00 pm - 3:00 pmFunday Wednesdays

—2:00 pm - 4:30 pmLittle Friends For

Peace: Senior Peace Circle

See description foraccess information.

9:00 am - 10:00 amYMCA Zumba Gold

w/Walter SmithSee description for access information.

—11:00 am - 12:00 pmYMCA Kung Fu, Self Defense 4 Seniors

See description for access information.

—1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Virtual Parent Networking

—2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Job Readiness

9:00 am - 10:00 amYMCA Morning

Stretch & RelaxationSee description for access information.

—11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Healthier Home Workshop

—11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Bible StudySee description for access information.

Directions For Using Zoom To Access These Programs:• From a laptop or desktop computer: Go to www.Zoom.us. Click the “Join a Meeting” tab at the top right

corner of the ZOOM homepage. When prompted, add your designated Meeting ID: 186 645 483. This code is the same for all programs. You can also go directly to https://zoom.us/j/186645483.

• From a smart phone: Go to Playstore or wherever you download apps onto your phone. Type in Zoom in the search bar. When “ZOOM Cloud Meetings” comes up, click install. It is FREE to install this app. Click on this app to join scheduled meetings or programming. When prompted, add your designated Meeting ID: 186 645 483. This code is the same for all programs.

• From a landline/phone: dial (929) 436-2866. When prompted, enter the Meeting ID: 186 645 483, followed by the pound (#) sign. You will then be entered into the meeting. This code is the same for all programs.

Program Descriptions:• Ask the Nurse: The Nurse can be reached via phone at (610) 983-1021. Leave your name and number and

she will return your call during the hours of 11 am to 12 pm on Mondays.• Bible Study: Join a one hour bible study on a phone conference. Uber Conference, call Ms. Pam at 202-855-

0245 to be added to the call.• FOOD by Chef Herb: Chef Herb is an amazing chef that cooks great food, and has great conversation while

doing it. A really fun session for all. Zoom: Meeting ID: 939 3925 2517 Passcode: 320197• Funday Wednesdays: Join us each week for games with staff and neighbors. This is a great time is to relax,

unwind and have fun each other. Zoom meeting, see access information above.• Guided Meditation: This group aims to promote emotional, mental and physical wellbeing by using Guided

Meditation activities. Zoom meeting, see access information above.• Healthier Home Workshop: Interactive workshop that address various ways of maintaining and organizing

your home and creating a healthier environment for you. Zoom meeting, see access information above.• Job Readiness: This program provides assistance to job seekers to find employment, through intensive

support, networking, resume review/development, cover letters, mock interviews and job leads. Zoom meeting, see access information above.

• Little Friends For Peace: A program that promotes community building, skill sharing, conflict resolution, and more. Tuesdays for Grades K-5. Wednesdays for Seniors. Zoom: Meeting ID: 863 717 5637 Passcode: peace

• Virtual Check-In: Residents can call in to speak with team members and connect with peers to share how we are coping with our new normal. Zoom meeting, see access information above.

• Virtual Parent Networking: Residents can call in to speak with team members and connect with peers to share how they’re dealing with challenges of childcare, remote schooling, seeking resources, and get or give advice. Resources and direct support will be provided. Zoom meeting, see access information above.

• YMCA programs: Zoom: Meeting ID: 771 7174 3467 Passcode: YMCA*Please consult your physician or healthcare provider before beginning our offered nutrition or exercise programs.

The MLK Banner ProjectIn preparation for MLK Day 2021, 3 large banners were displayed in the lobbies of Golden Rule Apartments, Golden Rule Plaza and SeVerna on K. In these buildings, residents were encouraged to write down their dreams for their family and the world, for everyone to see. While the banners were up, people would pass by and see the hopes, the prayers, and the dreams of their fellow neighbors. We now see that so many of our hopes and dreams are similar. We now see that we are all shaped by similar values and experiences, and that ultimately we all want the same things. Shared values and experience creates community. We are a community, and we are in this together. Thank you everyone for participating in the MLK Banner Project!

RECIPE: Southern Sweet Potato Pie RecipeIngredients• 1 lb sweet potato• 6 tbsp butter, room temperature• 1/2 cup white sugar• 1/4 cup milk• 2 large eggs• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon• 1 tsp vanilla extract• 1 (9-inch) unbaked pie crust

Instructions1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.2. Microwave the sweet potatoes in their skins until they are soft

(approximately 10 minutes). Pour cold water over the sweet potatoes and gently remove the skins from off the potatoes.

3. In a large bowl, mash the sweet potatoes with a potato masher (no mixer is necessary). Add the butter, sugar, milk, eggs, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. Mash everything together until the mixture is smooth. Using a large spoon, scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl in order to make sure that everything is well mixed. Use a small spoon to taste the sweet potato mixture to see if it is at your desired sweetness and consistency.

4. Pour the pie filling into an unbaked pie crust. Bake the pie at 350 degrees for one hour.

Request for Resident Essays, Articles, or PoetryIt is important that your voice be heard. We all have the ability to inspire and to create, through our words. So starting Feb. 2021 we will have “The Resident Columns”, which will highlight 1-2 Residents essays, articles, or poetry piec-es per month. All ages welcome. Someone from our community may be the next Toni Morrison or James Baldwin, so now is the time! • This Month’s Theme:

Overcoming Struggle• Length: 1-1.5 pages.• Please submit all pieces asap to

Frederick Hawkins, Resident Services Manager: fhawkins@columbuspm.org

Valentine’s Day Poem“Touched by An Angel” by Maya Angelou

We, unaccustomed to courageexiles from delightlive coiled in shells of lonelinessuntil love leaves its high holy templeand comes into our sightto liberate us into life.Love arrivesand in its train come ecstasiesold memories of pleasureancient histories of pain.Yet if we are bold,love strikes away the chains of fearfrom our souls.We are weaned from our timidityIn the flush of love’s lightwe dare be braveAnd suddenly we seethat love costs all we areand will ever be.Yet it is only lovewhich sets us free.

African Proverbs Proverb - a simple, concrete, traditional saying that expresses a perceived truth based on common sense or experience.• Not everyone who chased the zebra caught it,

but he who caught it, chased it. • A clever king is the brother of peace. • Every door has it’s own key. • Being happy is better than being king. • He that beats the drum for the mad man to

dance is no better than the mad man himself.

10 Black History Month Facts1. Phillis Wheatley was only 12 when she became the first

female African American author published2. Anna Murray was the first African-American woman to be

ordained as an Episcopal priest.3. Madam C.J. Walker was an African American entrepreneur

who became America's first female self-made millionaire.4. Benjamin Banneker taught himself astronomy and math to

become America's "First Known African American Man of Science".

5. The 6888th Battalion was an all-black, all-female unit of the military that delivered mail to World War II troops across England.

6. Malcolm X was a Black muslim minister and impactful civil rights activist.

7. Booker T Washington was a Black educator, author, and speaker, and founded Tuskegee University in 1881.

8. W.E.B. Dubois was educator, civil rights activist, and amazing author.

9. Shirley Chisholm became the 1st woman and the 1st Black American to run for a major political party’s presidential ticket.

10. Condoleezza Rice and Martin Luther King, Jr. started college when they were just 15 years old.

RESOURCES• FASFA – student aid - https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa • Maryland Department of Labor - http://www.dllr.state.md.us/county/ • Maryland Mental Health Resources - https://211md.org/211provider-md-mental-health • Text MDWellness to 898-211 for Wellness Resource Alerts• Maryland Utility Assistance - https://211md.org/211provider-utility-assistance • Text My211MD to 898-211 for Basic Needs Resource Alerts• Warehouse jobs- DC/MD - https://www.indeed.com/q-warehouse-jobs.html • Immediately Hiring – DC/MD - https://www.indeed.com/q-immediately-hiring-no-experience-jobs.html• Visit Maryland Health Department official website for information and update about COVID-19:

https://health.maryland.gov coronavirus.dc.gov/ • Follow Governor Larry Hogan on Twitter @GovLarryHogan• Follow the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency on Twitter• Contact Montgomery County Government https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/ • Maryland -Contact City Councilmember Tom Hucker Office (District 5) at

councilmember.hucker@montgomerycountymd.gov