THE UNITER
OCT 09 – 10, 2025 | 8:45AM-5PM
Moving Forward, Strengthening Skills and Supporting Each Other
PRESIDENT AND CEO'S LETTER
Andrea Thomas President and CEO
Dear Team UPO,
Take your vacation seriously.
Each of you brings so much to your work and we appreciate you for it! When you block out time to renew yourself, to refuel, to restore, that is essential too. Don’t just talk about self-care — make it happen!
Thinking about care puts me in the right mindset for this issue of The Uniter. It is filled with the joy and camaraderie of UPO teammates celebrating and learning together.
We cheered each other on at Shelter Hotline’s marvelous, meaningful party, at the Maryland Community Action Partnership conference, and at the Foster Grandparents’ Summer Recognition Celebration: Carnival Edition! Let’s continue to invent ways to gather and enjoy each other’s company.
There is other news, of course: I want to remind you that UPO is adding new features to our 401(k) retirement plan. See p.12 for the details.
Thank you for everything you do!
Warm regards,
Andrea Thomas
UPO President and CEO
UPO’S COMMUNITY ACTION PROMISE
Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.
SHELTER HOTLINE’S CELEBRATION
Fun, food, and fond memories — together, they created joy at Shelter Hotline’s Post-Hypothermia Season Celebration.
The party was a well-deserved break after a busy stretch. Program Director Dervin Brown and Program Manager Antwan Washington handed out awards to several team members for their outstanding service to each other and to our customers. Then the attendees talked about some of their most memorable experiences and why they feel their jobs are important and valued.
Please see the set of photos from this glorious get-together!
Hypothermia is when a person’s body loses heat faster than it can produce heat. Our team brings people to shelters before they suffer from this medical emergency. (Every day, we protect the health of people who live on the streets; in extreme weather, we kick into an even higher gear.)
UPO STAFF ARE HONORED AT MCAP CONFERENCE
Margo has served at UPO for 48 years — a remarkable legacy of dedication. As Procurement Assistant, she is behind the scenes, making sure our programs get what they need to run smoothly. Thank you, Margo!
Over a dozen UPO teammates traveled to Ocean City to gain knowledge and learn best practices at the Annual Conference of the Maryland Community Action Partnership (MCAP). Our staff participated because MCAP is a regional association that includes UPO, the Community Action Agency that serves Washington, DC.
MCAP honored 3 members of Team UPO. Please see our video clip of the ceremony where they gave awards to Margo Reed and Shanae Blunt for their Outstanding Service and Commitment and a certificate to Gerika Brownlee for completing her coursework at MCAP’s Leadership Development Institute.
Shanae elevated the UPO Workforce Institute as Program Manager for the training program. One result: Our students are graduating at a 3x higher rate than they did 2 years earlier. Her huge impact also led to a promotion: She recently became Director of our Community Reinvestment division. Congratulations, Shanae!
Gericka is devoted to being an effective leader. She is Senior Program Director for In-School Sites in our Office of Early Learning (which is DC’s largest Early Head Start provider). Previously, she was Center Director at our Early Childhood Education Center at Atlantic Gardens. So thrilled for you, Gerika!
(l. to r.): UPO President and CEO
Andrea Thomas with awardees
Margo Reed and Shanae Blunt
Admired at the conference (l. to r.): Gerika Brownlee, Margo Reed, and Shanae Blunt
CELEBRATING OUR 2 NEW DOCTORS
We are delighted to announce that 2 more staff members have earned their doctorates: Congratulations to Dr. Daniel Ofori-Addo and Dr. Ahmad Farhan!
Dr. Daniel Ofori-Addo, Executive Vice-President and Chief Impact Officer, earned his doctorate in Public Policy from George Mason University.
Dr. Ahmad Farhan, Monitor & Evaluation Analyst II, earned his doctorate in Public Administration from the University of Baltimore.
Some of UPO’s doctorate staff include, but are not limited to:
• Dr. Ahmad Farhan
• Dr. Daniel Ofori-Addo
• Dr. Charity Ezenwa-Onuaku, Director, Financial Planning & Analysis
• Dr. Keenan Woods, Director of Performance Management
• Dr. Thomas Valayathil, Center Director, Comprehensive Treatment Center
We recognize and celebrate all members of our team who have earned doctorate degrees and appreciate their contributions, whether listed here or not.
OFFICE OF EARLY LEARNING (OEL)
VOICE TO VISION PARENT SUMMIT
Parents explored many facets of their lives at the Office of Early Learning’s Voice To Vision Parent Summit. These parents of children in Early Head Start (ages 0-3) were at 6 tables with 10 parents per table and an OEL table host. Each host asked 5 questions and facilitated a response with the parents. Afterwards, one parent per table reported out on their table’s answers.
The summit’s facilitators were:
• UPO Parent Policy Council Chairwoman Charell Williams
• UPO Parent Policy Council Board Liaison Veronica Diaz
The UPO speakers included:
President and CEO Andrea Thomas, who talked about how parents are their children’s first teachers, and how to understand their child’s learning style: Auditory Leaners, Kinesthetic Learners, and Visual Learners.
Legislative Advocacy Director Ed Lazere, who spoke about how to advocate:
• Identifying the Problem
• Mapping Out Solutions
• Lifting Your Voice
Among the UPO teammates at the summit (l. to r.): Childhood Development Associate (CDA) Success Coach Austin Lee, OEL Family Engagement Specialist Juwan Jordan; Director of Business Development and Asset Management Kevin Bryant, MALS; Director of the UPO Workforce Institute Ivan Laney; and Executive Vice President & Chief Impact Officer Dr. Daniel Ofori-Addo
Family & Community Public Policy Liaison Lisa Alston, BSHM, SFW, who talked about:
• The difference between Involvement and Engagement
• Don’t Do It Alone – Have a Community of Peers
• Choosing Strategies
The Fatherhood Panel Discussion covered a range of topics:
• Moderator Austin Lee on OEL’s Early Educators Credentialing Program
• Kevin Bryant on Overcoming Stereotypes of Black Fathers
• Dr. Daniel Ofori-Addo on Quality Time and Eye-Level Engagement with Children
• Ivan Laney on Teaching a Man to Fish (Father Engagement Opportunities)
The parents enjoyed this wonderful day for learning, reflecting, and connecting. They walked away with new insights as well as gift cards and gift bags.
Many thanks to the OEL team who planned and executed this valuable event!
UPO’S ECONOMIC SECURITY SOLUTIONS FORUM
UPO is constantly and deeply engaged in improving the economic security of our customers and our DC community. The intention of our Economic Security Solutions forum was to give participants new knowledge and renewed passion to create change. For 4 hours, residents, advocates, and experts engaged in dynamic discussions about vital issues.
Our speakers included:
Emcee: Ayana Howard-Bias, UPO Director of Community Advocacy
Moderator: Janiya Proctor, UPO Community Outreach Coordinator
Mychal Cohen, DC Fiscal Policy Institute (DCFPI) Senior Policy Analyst
Amy Dudas, DC Action Senior Advisor, Career Readiness
LaMonika Jones, Food Research and Action Center, Director of State Initiatives
Ed Lazere, UPO Director of Legislative Advocacy
Tazra Mitchell, DCFPI Chief Policy and Strategy Officer
Daniel Ofori-Addo, UPO Executive Vice-President & Chief Impact Officer
Nimia Rigoroso, UPO Early Childhood Teacher
Peter Tatian, Urban Institute, Senior Fellow
Dashawn Turner, UPO Early Childhood Teacher
Dana White, Miriam’s Kitchen Director of Advocacy
Connor Zielinski, DCFPI Data Associate
RESOURCES FROM OUR SPEAKERS
• Peter Tatian’s opening presentation
• From the Jobs Breakout Session: a proposal for a youth job guarantee
• From the Food Breakout:
o DC Hunger Solutions’ 2024 Grocery Store Report
o SNAP Flyer
o Information on DC Hunger Solutions’ Oct. 10 SNAP 101 training (it is held quarterly)
o DC Hunger Solutions’ Aug. 7 Specialized SNAP training (it is held monthly)
• From the Income Breakout: See the summary of income support options in DC.
If you’re interested in learning about or advocating for economic security issues, please contact Ed Lazere at elazere@upo.org
Reporters took note of UPO’s recent white paper on evictions in DC.
• The DC Line, a newsletter focused on DC politics, highlighted our analysis:
Evictions in DC reached a 10-year high last year, according to a white paper issued last week by the United Planning Organization. There were 1,869 evictions in fiscal year 2024, which was 18% higher than the five-year average prior to the pandemic. An eviction moratorium brought evictions nearly to a halt in 2021, with numbers remaining comparatively low for the next two years — 346 and 1,068, respectively, according to the UPO report — as government officials allowed evictions to resume under certain criteria.
With those conditions now loosened further via emergency legislation passed last fall to address concerns about a rise in rent arrearages and financial pressure on housing providers, the eviction rate climbed in the first few months of fiscal year 2025, the UPO report says.
The authors recommend increased funding for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program and other affordable housing programs in the DC government's FY 2026 budget. "The high rate of evictions reflects severe financial pressures faced by renters with low incomes," the paper says. "There are 37,000 DC renter households with low incomes who spend more than half of their income on housing."
• The 51st, a website devoted to DC news, mentioned our white paper in a story about housing bills that the DC Council is reviewing: “the United Planning Organization recently reported that evictions in D.C. hit a decade high in 2024…”
ATTENTION FROM THE PRESS
YSD IS GEARING UP FOR AN EXCITING SUMMER!
The Youth Services Division (YSD) is thrilled to kick off a dynamic season of summer programming!
At Whittier Elementary School, the CREATE team will host a summer camp spotlighting theatre and culinary arts, nurturing creativity and handson learning. Meanwhile, the EPIC Book Club will also be based at Whittier, engaging students in a literary journey focused on social-emotional learning (SEL) and wellness, using a variety of enriching texts and artifacts.
Our POWER High School program welcomes 12 high school students from across the District for a summer filled with civic engagement, day trading, college campus tours,
and trade entrepreneurship workshops. They’ll return to the Y2Y Conference in Ohio for a second consecutive year and sharpen their public speaking skills at debate camp, hosted at DC Bilingual in partnership with the Washington Urban Debate League.
For our POWER Middle School participants, the focus will be on SEL, STEAM enrichment, and integrating STEM in Culinary Arts and Sports. After learning the science behind basketball, they’ll hit the court at the Washington Wizards Basketball Camp!
Our Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) will continue supporting children at elementary summer school sites in Wards 7 and 8 and
select early learning centers. This summer, our dedicated senior volunteers will also participate in computer literacy training and CPR certification.
And we’re proud to conduct interviews for the Joseph A. Beavers Scholarship. From our pool of outstanding applicants, we will choose 5 community-minded scholars and award each of them a $10,000 college scholarship.
Stay tuned for more highlights throughout the summer — we’re just getting started!
BEAVERS SCHOLAR PRESENTS AT THE ASPEN INSTITUTE SYMPOSIUM
At The Aspen Institute Symposium organized by Georgetown University, young people gathered from across the country to dive deep into the issues that adolescents and young adults have with education, life skills, and how they can improve their futures.
Brianna Dutch, Beavers Scholar 2024, was instrumental in developing the group’s conclusions and then presented their ideas and solutions. Brianna shared her story with adults and young people who were moved by her resilience and ambition.
It was a wonderful event and Brianna beautifully represented UPO and the Joseph A. Beavers Scholarship program.
TWO GRADUATES OF OUR POWER PROGRAM WHO JUST GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE
Here’s a pair of stories that Kenny Carroll, Construction Trade Education Coach at the UPO Workforce Institute, sent to UPO President and CEO Andrea Thomas:
“I stay in contact with all of the nearly 60 POWER students from our two cohorts. UPO also offers them continued training and employment opportunities along with letters of recommendation and professional development through our virtual Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP).
In 2019, Lakeisha Thompson, a member of cohort 1, left college a halfsemester short of her degree. Despite our efforts to connect her with our Bowie State University admission partners, she moved at her own pace. She just graduated from Bowie State with a degree in Music Technology!
Justina Poole was a member of cohort 2, the ‘Covid babies.’ She also earned a Beavers Scholarship and the SYEP Mayor’s Opportunity Scholarship. She just graduated from Virginia State University with a degree in Social Work.
Since 2018, she has worked with me every summer at Workforce Institute via SYEP. In addition, she secured some of the fieldwork hours for her degree by working with our middle and high school youth at our Saturday Construction Exploration program. Notably, Justina spent the last 3 years of high school at Sasha Bruce Youthwork [after issues in her home life]. She continued to participate in POWER the entire time and we worked with her siblings.
It is the longitudinal [long-term] support that UPO offers our POWER students and families that keeps them connected to us. I have 8 POWER alums working with me this summer in our virtual Personal Development program; 2 are planning to move into our Workforce Training cohort in the fall and 2 more are scheduled to graduate in 2026.
I always view these success stories as part of your vision. It's a shared joy.”
UPO POWER graduate Lakeisha Thompson with her mother.
UPO POWER graduate Justina Poole with Virginia State University President Dr. Makola M. Abdullah.
FOSTER GRANDPARENTS PROGRAM IS ALWAYS ACTIVE
Here are updates on UPO’s “Foster Grandparents” — senior volunteers who mentor children throughout DC.
APRIL 29 – Foster Grandma Sandra Morgan testified at the DC Council during the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Hearing at the Wilson Building.
The reason for the hearing: Every 3 years, the Council determines whether UPO is effectively meeting our community’s needs. If UPO is achieving that goal, the Council will once again award UPO the federal CSBG funding. (Note: UPO has earned this grant since 1964, when our nonprofit organization was designated as the Community Action Agency to serve DC.)
Grandma Morgan spoke to the panel on “herstory” in UPO’s Foster Grandparent Program at Miner Elementary School. After the presentation, there was a Q&A about what she did before and what she learned through our Foster Grandparents Program. We are all proud of Ms. Morgan and the impact she made!
MAY 21 – The Foster Grandparents were a selected vendor for the DC Senior Fest, held at the Gateway DC Pavilion.
Despite the heavy rain, 12 of our Foster Grandparents showed up. Although we did not have an assigned space, we still made the magic happen. We shared our FGP marketing materials and have since received an overwhelming number of phone calls from seniors interested in our program. Denzel Little, for example, moved through the room and spoke to people in the crowd. Go Denzel! The FGs enjoyed the event and were excited to see some of the Washington Commanders and their players. We will spend the summer completing our new recruitment process.
JUNE 10 – The seniors began computer classes, which run 3 days a week for 4 hours a day. They are excited to learn more about using Zoom, Outlook, Eventbrite, and other technology features.
JUNE 20 – The Foster Grandparent Program held our Summer Recognition Celebration: Carnival Edition
JULY 7 - 18 – We hosted a new PreService Training for new Foster Grandparents.
COMING UP:
AUGUST 2025 – We will offer an in-person fitness program through the Ailey Arts Adult Program for Senior Citizens. They offer chair movement and other fitness activities.
AUGUST 2025 – We will introduce Foster Grandparent College: A series of workshops and trainings offered to FGs to help them with specific guidance and training on issues they may encounter in their volunteer sites. The workshops will be held immediately following In-Service Meetings.
SEPTEMBER 2025 – The launch of our monthly digital newsletter entitled The Seasoned Citizens. Each month will feature an FG of the month with pictures. We will make sure the newsletter shares items of interest to the seniors along with other valuable information.
DECEMBER 2025 – Our FG Senior Recognition event. (Details to come.)
FOSTER GRANDPARENT SUMMER RECOGNITION CELEBRATION:
CARNIVAL EDITION
Kenicha White wrote about the carnival-themed extravaganza that the Foster Grandparent Program hosted on June 20:
FGP held our glorious event to celebrate our incredible senior volunteers and the lasting impact they make on children across DC. We tapped into their inner youth!
From classic carnival games and a “Monopoly money” prize system to popcorn, photo booth fun, and a full-on prize station, our grandparents had an absolute blast. They put their boots on the ground and showed us how it’s done!
Guests were also treated to:
• Portraits by a caricature artist, Sketch Faces
• Live entertainment from an illusionist, Magician Don Juan
• And a delicious catered lunch by Culinary Innovations
SPECIAL THANKS
A huge thank you to our MC Keenan Woods, specially requested by the grandparents themselves, who kept the energy high and the crowd fully engaged throughout the day!
Teamwork Made the Dream Work
We’re incredibly grateful for the teamwork that brought this event to life:
• Our amazing YSD staff, who helped with setup and logistics.
• Kimberly Thompson for lending her expert party-planning skills and crafting stunning balloon arches.
• Andrea Thomas, UPO President and CEO, who surprised the crowd with a heartfelt message that truly lit up the room.
I’ll go ahead and give myself a little pat on the back too for helping with planning, organizing the prize and gift system, and joining in the games! And let me tell you — our grandparents do not play about BINGO!
This celebration was truly a team effort, and wouldn’t have been possible without:
• Laurette “Elle” Hilliard, our Interim Project Director, who hit the ground running from day one.
• Yvette Thompson, our Program Coordinator, who keeps our grandparents connected and supported.
• Denzel Little, our Program Assistant, who quite literally lifted the event to success with all his behind-the-scenes hard work.
We’re proud to say this was one of our most successful recognition events and the grandparents haven’t stopped talking about how much they loved it. We can’t wait to top it with our Winter Celebration!
TEAM UPO SPOTLIGHT
JANIYA PROCTOR
Community Coordinator
What is your background?
I have always had an affinity for service. In high school, I volunteered and taught at an organization that focused on bringing comprehensive sex education to teens. This started my career in education and outreach and I haven’t been able to get rid of the bug since.
When did you join UPO?
I joined the UPO family in January of 2023.
Why did you join us?
I had stepped away from education and outreach and I needed to return to a role where I could directly impact DC residents.
Why do you stay?
I stay for DC. As someone who was born and raised in this majestic city, I want the best for people out there like
| Community Advocacy & Volunteer Services Division
me. The goal of eradicating poverty in the District is a big one and it’s not one that can happen overnight. By staying committed to hard work and dedication, the Advocacy team can continue to move the needle for a city that serves it residents.
What does your job involve?
As Community Outreach Coordinator, I facilitate the Community Leadership Academy. This program empowers DC residents to lead advocacy efforts in their community and throughout the city. Then I gather those passionate residents to continue to work on UPO’s Advocacy Initiatives. I am also responsible for connecting UPO with community events and other efforts to share our resources, and I help to lead Silver Market, one of our senior food distribution programs. [Note: At this market, eligible seniors “shop” for fresh produce and frozen protein items. It’s set up like a farmers’ market … but the food is free.]
401(K) RETIREMENT PLAN CHANGES
Effective September 1, 2025, UPO is adding automatic enrollment as a feature of the 401(k). Automatic enrollment is considered a best practice and results in better retirement outcomes for plan participants. It is also a requirement by law for new plans under SECURE 2.0 - Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (recent retirement plan legislation). Currently the plan requires that staff register on their own after receiving their first paycheck. Automatic enrollment means an eligible participant in the plan gets enrolled unless they opt out. This is different from the current structure of the plan that requires someone to opt in. This will not only affect new participants going forward but there will be an impact on current
employees as well which will be the focus of this email message. The automatic enrollment amount going forward will be 1% of pay. This was the percentage that was chosen because this results in a plan participant getting the full match from UPO. Current employees who are saving less than 1% (either 0% or a flat dollar amount that is less than 1% of pay) will be re-enrolled at 1% of pay in September. Anyone who does not wish to contribute 1% will need to make an election to opt out. You are not forced to make this contribution, and you can opt out at any time.
If you want to opt out in time so that you do not get automatically enrolled at 1%, you must do so between August 2 - 22 on the Voya website in time for your
What do you like most about what you do?
It is so fulfilling to empower someone to the point where they become passionate, they get so involved, and they see themselves making a difference. When our advocates start tenant associations and become Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners, that’s a job well done.
September 5 paycheck. If you do not opt out in time, you can also opt out any time after to have your contributions stopped at any time in the future. If you have not logged into Voya before, attached are instructions for logging in and making changes to your contributions.
In addition to automatic enrollment, there is an automatic escalation feature. For new participants going forward and for any current employees that do not opt out, there will also be an annual 1% automatic increase each January until you reach 5%. This contribution will be pre-tax. Again, you are not forced to do this, and you are able to opt out, increase, decrease, and switch to Roth instead of pre-tax at any time.
WELCOME TO OUR NEW HIRES!
FEBRUARY - MAY 2025
Florence Bangura CDA Intern Wex Office of Early Learning (OEL)
Dexter Batts Case Manager Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)
Catavia Buck Center Director OEL
Myesha Campbell CDA Intern Wex OEL
Dizona Cooper Secretary, Records Clerk Comprehensive Treatment Ctr. (CTC)
Antonia Ethredge CDA Intern Wex OEL
Diana Foy CDA Intern Wex OEL
In summary, these are the changes for your Voya Retirement Elections:
• Current employees contributing less than one percent will be reenrolled in the plan at 1% with the first deduction on September 5 (Unless you opt out).
* Should you choose to opt out, you must opt out between August 2 - 22 on the Voya website
Demetria Hazelton CDA Intern Wex OEL
Ikea Jones CDA Intern Wex OEL
Roukiatou Kirakoya Nutrition Services Specialist OEL
Allison Lindsey CDA Intern Wex OEL
Sabreea Petty Teacher II OEL
Makiya Robinson CDA Intern Wex OEL
Marquita Ross CDA Intern Wex OEL
Tachelle Ross CDA Intern Wex OEL
Shanece Smith CDA Intern Wex OEL
Judy Strother Billing Specialist PSH – CTC
Destiny Traynham Case Manager PSH
Naomi Wych CDA Intern OEL
Paris Young Seasonal Driver Shelter Hotline
• New Hires will be automatically enrolled at 1% (unless they opt out).
• Current employees who are contributing under 5%, your election will automatically increase by 1% each January until you reach 5% (unless you opt out). This is a pre-tax contribution increase. The first increase will be in January 2026.
We will continue to host educational meetings in August to go over this change and answer questions.
- Chelsea Cobb, UPO Compensation and Benefits Specialist
202-238-4754
ccobb@upo.org
Team UPO,
With a heavy heart I share that our own “Chef” Jerald Thomas passed away on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, after a brief illness. He was a beloved fixture at UPO, who couldn’t resist any of the tempting treats he was always giving out.
Chef began his career at UPO in February 2015 as a culinary arts instructor. He was an enthusiastic and “hands on” type of teacher and successfully recruited students to his program and mentored many of them after graduation in their professional culinary careers.
Chef later became UPO’s first Food Service Manager. He was instrumental in the initiation and implementation of UPO’s Food Truck. He believed heartily in preparing food that was healthy for the body and soothing to the soul. No one could prepare a more tastier salmon cake than he!
Bon appétit, Chef, we know that you are now enjoying the cuisine in heaven!
Rosalind Pinkney, PHR, SHRM-CP Vice President, Human Resources
