Washington, DC is doubling down on its commitment to community support with Phase 2 of the Dc Cares Program. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Events DC have announced a further investment of over $8 million to provide crucial relief funding to excluded workers across the District of Columbia. This significant financial aid package follows the initial $5 million allocated in Phase 1, demonstrating the city’s ongoing dedication to assist those facing economic hardship due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.
Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, John Falcicchio, emphasized the core values driving this initiative. “In funding this initiative for excluded workers, Mayor Bowser and her partners on the DC Council are proud to collaborate with Events DC to make this investment in our DC values of hope, love, diversity and inclusiveness,” he stated, highlighting the city’s commitment to supporting all members of its community.
The DC CARES Program operates through a strong partnership between Events DC, the Mayor’s Office, the Greater Washington Community Foundation, and vital community-based organizations (CBOs). For Phase 2, Events DC has channeled $8.1 million through the Greater Washington Community Foundation to distribute pre-paid debit cards, each valued at $1,000. These cards will be distributed to eligible individuals through the network of trusted CBO partners, ensuring the funds reach those who need them most effectively.
Greg A. O’Dell, president and CEO of Events DC, underscored the program’s central role in their community mission. “This program remains a core part of our mission to serve and give back to our communities which will help to continue to propel our city forward,” he explained. O’Dell also acknowledged the vital contributions of Mayor Bowser and the DC Council in championing this critical relief effort for excluded workers.
Eligibility for the DC CARES Program is carefully designed to target those most vulnerable. The pre-paid debit cards are intended for District of Columbia residents who have experienced income loss directly due to the public health emergency. Crucially, this program is specifically for individuals ineligible for traditional unemployment insurance or federal COVID-19 relief programs. This includes returning citizens and those working within the cash economy, ensuring support reaches segments of the workforce often overlooked by broader aid initiatives.
The Greater Washington Community Foundation plays a pivotal role in the DC CARES Program as a conduit for distributing funds. This established public charity manages numerous charitable funds, making them ideally positioned to facilitate the outreach, processing, and distribution of the pre-paid debit cards in collaboration with the designated CBOs.
The community-based organizations selected to implement the DC CARES Program are deeply embedded within the communities they serve, ensuring effective and equitable distribution of aid. These key partners include:
- Bread for the City
- The Central American Resource Center (CARECEN)
- CentroNía
- Latin American Youth Center (LAYC)
- Mary’s Center
- Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative
- DC Jobs with Justice
Tonia Wellons, President and CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation, reiterated the collaborative spirit of the program. “We are proud of our continued partnership with Events DC, the Executive Office of the Mayor, and the following community-based organizations…to provide over $8 million in relief funding to workers who have been excluded from federal stimulus efforts,” Wellons stated. She emphasized the ongoing urgency of the program, adding, “As the pandemic continues, so does the urgent need to support our excluded workers who are struggling financially. Building on our Phase I efforts, our goal is to provide this essential relief funding so these individuals may cover their food, rent, medical care, and other critical needs.”
Individuals who believe they may qualify for the DC CARES Program are encouraged to apply through the centralized intake process. Applications can be accessed online at www.DCCARES2021.org or by calling 202-332-1264. The DC CARES Program represents a vital lifeline for excluded workers in Washington, DC, providing essential financial support during these challenging times.
