In today’s rundown: The story of a young mom who’s resisting “a cycle of failure.” Plus, how lessons in digital media may be worth the cost for at-risk students.
— The single biggest reason that girls drop out of high school is because they’re pregnant, reports NPR. In this story, Claudio Sanchez talks to a young mother of two who is trying to get her GED and her independence.
— KQED.org asks if digital media classes for at-risk youth are a luxury. The answer from one expert: it’s a necessity.
In today’s rundown: Losing affordable housing units in Northern Virginia. A journey to homelessness and back. And heat wave help.
— Low- and moderate-income families will be priced out as plans to revitalize Northern Virginia are implemented, according to The Washington Post. The Post cites a report released today by the Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance that says that more than 11,000 low-cost housing units will be lost.
— WTOP takes a look at one homeless person’s journey from high earner to a life on the streets. The article is about a man, but the point of the story is that it can happen to anyone.
— We’re on the front end of a brutal heat wave so The Washington Post has published some heat safety tips along with the locations of local cooling centers across the area.
In today’s rundown: Training homeless residents for construction jobs…. Plus, the changing face of the District.
— The New York Times explores reports that D.C.’s black population has dipped below 50 percent for the first time in more than 50 years. The article covers more than race, looking at income disparities, unemployment, gentrification and homeownership among other aspects.
— The District is launching a pilot program today that will train the homeless to rehab houses reports WAMU. The “Sweat Equity” program will train participants to renovate abandoned houses which will be used as housing for the homeless. Program organizers want participants to gain skills that will help them find employment.
In today’s rundown: An in-depth profile of the head of CASA de Maryland. A program that’s creating jobs for D.C. residents. Do women make better athletes than fans?
— Gustavo Torres, the head of CASA de Maryland (a Women’s Foundation Grantee Partner), is profiled in The Washington Post. The article takes a look a Torres’s background, how CASA has expanded under his leadership, and his goals for the future.
— D.C. officials say more District residents are getting hired by contractors thanks to a pilot program that offers incentives to contractors who hire locals. WAMU has the details.
— The thrill fans get when women’s sports teams excel is often short-lived writes Petula Dvorak in The Washington Post. “…[G]irls and women make great players. But fans? Not so much.”
In today’s rundown: Why a federal debt deal may be unfair to women. And the gulf between rich and poor in DC.
— Women — particularly seniors and and struggling mothers — may bear the brunt of the pain when it comes to the federal debt ceiling talks, says Michelle Singletary in The Washington Post. “Putting everything on the table, including reductions in social safety net programs, will disproportionately hurt women already struggling to make ends meet,” she writes.
— DCentric.com recaps yesterday’s discussion on The Kojo Nnamdi Show about the wide gulf between rich and poor in the District, where one in five residents live at or below the poverty lone.
Ready for a scary fact? As a 2006 Consumer Federation of America report points out, women generally have higher credit scores than men and similar credit usage patterns — but they are more likely to receive more expensive mortgages than men, controlling for income levels. Talk about unfair!
Injustice like this motivated the DC Government to create our nonprofit, City First Homes (www.cfhomes.org), which helps households afford buying a home in Washington, DC. We’re absolutely thrilled that after one year of operations, the vast majority of our purchasers have ended up being women!
We feel like we’re reaching an underrepresented group — because the fact is, women truly are underrepresented as homeowners. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, the homeownership rate for female-headed households is 54 percent – and even lower for women with children; in contrast, the national rate is 68 percent. Washington, D.C. is no exception in this trend. Yet, a large number of the family households in Southeast and Northeast D.C. are run by single mothers, according to The Washington Examiner, which makes the homeownership gap an even more alarming problem for the city.
What gives? Why is there such a gap? One major factor is that women are at a financial disadvantage compared to men. According to Peter A. Tatian’s findings on women homeownership in the Washington, D.C. region, almost 70 percent of female-headed families and single-person households in D.C. have an income that is below 120 percent of AMI and that more than half of the female homeowners in D.C. have to spend over 30 percent of their income on housing.
We find it disturbing that many women are not getting the homeownership support they need. That’s why City First Homes was created by the DC Government. Our program helps to reduce the upfront costs and monthly costs of buying a home, and help households afford “more home.” Learn about City First Homes on our blog or at www.cfhomes.org.
In today’s rundown: Encouraging homeownership in Ward 8. More D.C. residents could face homelessness as an emergency rental assistance fund runs out of money. And a lawsuit from a radio personality takes on the local gender wage gap.
— In “Black Homeownership and ‘the American Dream’ in Ward 8,” DCentric.com takes a look at D.C. Council member Marion Barry’s efforts to encourage homeownership in Ward 8 by banning the construction of apartment buildings. Would the plan work and would it benefit residents? DCentric looks at several points of view.
— Bread for the City tells the story of a resident who was able to stay in her home thanks to D.C.’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). But with ERAP nearly out of funds, many residents could face eviction and homelessness.
— Local radio host Rane is suing WPGC and CBS Radio for wage discrimination after she learned that she was making significantly less money than her male co-host. TBD.com has the details of the suit.
In today’s rundown: How some low-income students are graduating from college debt free. Why black women are fighting for recognition in D.C.’s bike lanes. The U.S. women’s soccer team makes an unexpected comeback.
— Colleges are replacing loans with no-pay grants for disadvantaged students, reports The Washington Post. That means some students at elite schools are graduating with no debt.
— Black women do bike, one cyclist tells The Washington Post. A vocal group of women cyclists is pushing for greater acceptance of more bike lanes in Southeast D.C.
— The U.S. women’s soccer team gave fans “thrills” and chills,” says ESPN.com, after a comeback over Brazil in the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup. The U.S. won 5-3 and advances to the semifinals where they’ll take on France on Wednesday. Will you be watching the game on Wednesday?
Photo Credit: Bien Stephenson (via Creative Commons)
In today’s rundown: Men are getting jobs faster than women as the U.S. jobs market recovers. And tips on making low-cost meals.
— As the economy recovers, men are faring better in the job market than women, according to The Washington Post. During the recession men experienced a higher rate of job loss as male-dominated fields took a hit. During the recovery, however, men are adding more jobs, many in fields traditionally dominated by women.
— With food prices on the rise and many local families reporting that they don’t have enough money to buy food, DCentric explores how to stretch those grocery dollars and benefits.
After being crowned Ms. Maryland 2011, Tiffany Parker has included Washington Area Women’s Foundation and its mission in her platform. As she prepares to go to the national competition this month, she reflects on being a role model for girls and conquering her fears.
And the countdown begins…. On July 7th I will set “sail”, so to speak, on my journey to Las Vegas, Nevada to compete for the title of Ms. United States© 2011. This may come as a surprise to some, but even after all my public speaking events, and numerous encounters with prominent members of DC and Maryland’s society, I’m a bit nervous. I should be prepared, right?! Well, it’s not that simple; in my hometown I’ve found a level of acceptance and a family of supporters. Heading to Vegas is a bit frightening because I will be around all new faces, in a new territory, and each day I’ll have to wake up and bring my “A” game with me wherever I go.
I know that the old saying is to “show no fear” or “never let them see you sweat”, but I feel it’s important for people to know, especially my young female constituents, that even people in the public eye — those who appear to be polished, put together, and always “on point” — well, we’re still human, too. So this write up today is for all the young girls I met along my journey as Ms. Maryland, all the beautiful faces that look up to me and said they are rooting for me. I have my fears, just like many of the other role models they may have. I’m learning many lessons as the years go by and one is that admitting your fears doesn’t make you weak — it gives you hte strength and courage to face and conquer them. So whatever may come on the evening of July 14th, whether I return to Maryland as Ms. United States 2011 or just as Ms. Maryland United States 2011, I am heading to Las Vegas and returning from Las Vegas as a champion.
The closer the day gets and I fret about wardrobe, hair, makeup, workouts and my interview skills, there’s a voice in the back of my head that keeps telling me that “I’ve already won”. And each time all of you decide to take the road less traveled and follow your dreams, you, too, have already won. It’s not always how you end the race, it’s having the courage to even start it. My courage has led me to opportunities that have created memories that will last a lifetime. So I encourage all of you to find the bravery to step out on faith. Who knows where it may lead you…
Viva Las Vegas, here I come!!!
With All my Love, Ms!!!
The United States pageant will be held from July 7 – 15th in Las Vegas.