Natalie Williams Set to Lead Protest Against Planned Main Street Homeless Shelter in Ward 8
Finally! Someone from the political landscape willing to step up and and publicly take a stand against another addition to the over-saturation of social service facilities in Ward 8! Ward 8 Council Candidate Natalie Williams reached out to me and ANC Commissioner Greta Fuller and asked the question that no one else from the group of challengers had asked, "What can I do to help?" She listened to our concerns, the community's concerns, and did her research. Better still, she followed up (quickly!) with what she said she was going to do -- something sorely lacking in today's politics. There is a need for homeless shelters in DC but another large-scale social service facility coming to the Anacostia Business District is a bad idea, a homeless shelter in the Anacostia Business District next to the Gateway is a very bad idea, and a homeless shelter in the Anacostia Business District next to the Gateway and run by a nonprofit that won't even have a dialogue with the community is an extremely bad idea.
This is not an endorsement for the Ward 8 city council seat (because I am not issuing those) but I must admit that I am rather impressed with Ms. William's gumption, follow-through, and willingness to engage the community. She said publicly and clearly what most other Ward 8 candidates have only whispered privately (or tweeted), and what our public officials have not said at all.
This is what we need in Ward 8, and Ward 8 residents have taken note that we did not get that from our current Council Member. The rumblings of discontent are growing.
Per the press release the rally against the over-saturation of social service facilities in Ward 8 will commence on Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 7am sharp in front of the proposed"Good Hope Kitchen" homeless shelter located at 1217 Good Hope Rd SE in Anacostia. For more information, please email info@NatalieWilliamsOnline.com, or call (202) 688-5321.
P.S. You can follow Natalie on Twitter at @DCcouncil8 for updates. It's a brand new Twitter account but I am told lots of tweets will be forthcoming soon. :)
This is not an endorsement for the Ward 8 city council seat (because I am not issuing those) but I must admit that I am rather impressed with Ms. William's gumption, follow-through, and willingness to engage the community. She said publicly and clearly what most other Ward 8 candidates have only whispered privately (or tweeted), and what our public officials have not said at all.
This is what we need in Ward 8, and Ward 8 residents have taken note that we did not get that from our current Council Member. The rumblings of discontent are growing.
Per the press release the rally against the over-saturation of social service facilities in Ward 8 will commence on Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 7am sharp in front of the proposed
P.S. You can follow Natalie on Twitter at @DCcouncil8 for updates. It's a brand new Twitter account but I am told lots of tweets will be forthcoming soon. :)
Main Street Homeless Shelter in Ward 8
Says "Ward 8 Residents have been disregarded and disrespected"
(Washington DC – Ward 8) Ward 8 City Council Candidate, Natalie Williams is speaking out regarding plans to open a Calvary Homeless Women’s Shelter in Ward 8’s Anacostia District. Williams says that while she 100% supports the empowerment of women; especially those who are disadvantaged, she is NOT in support of the full plans of the “Good Hope Kitchen”.I am equally troubled by Ward 8's current Councilmember’s flip-flop position, first non-support and now support of this project. It makes me question why the change of heart over the course of a week, and furthermore, why does Ward 8 have to continue to be the dumping ground for such services. The residents of Ward 8 don’t mine supporting our fair share of services, but rhetorically speaking, why must we do everyone’s share? Good Hope Road by itself is home to several support services; including Alcoholics Anonymous, a methadone clinic, Bread for the City – all of which is down the street from a daycare center and an elementary school.
“I have reached out and met with several community leaders and residents in Ward 8; in particular Anacostia and Fairlawn, who have made it clear that they are in total opposition to the proposed location, and for some, it being placed in Ward 8 at all. Several requests, both verbal and written, have been made by ANC 8A to the leadership of Calvary for a dialogue with the community, but to no avail.
While this may be helping dozens of women at a time, it is hurting the community at-large, both residential and business. If this facility opens as planned it will be made available to the entire region, including Maryland and Virginia. This will be counterproductive to the efforts of our community to revitalize the commercial corridor of Historic Anacostia and Fairlawn, as well as, the overall economic advancement of Ward 8.
I stand firm on my position, and I seek to simply dialogue with the leadership of Calvary on behalf of the residents. In the absence of a dialogue with the community, I am asking all residents of Ward 8, particularly those who live in the vicinity of the proposed forced shelter to join me and other community leaders next week so that our voices will be heard by any means necessary. That's all for now...”
The rally will commence on Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 7am sharp in front of the proposed “Good Hope Kitchen” located at 1217 Good Hope Road in Anacostia. For more information, please email us at info@NatalieWilliamsOnline.com, or call us at (202) 688-5321.
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If you would like to vote for me go HERE.
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