United Planning Organization

10/15/2026

“Visitadores a domicilio de UPO ganan premio de logros en salud de DC”

El equipo de Visitadores a domicilio de UPO ganó el Premio SOMOS DC de Salud por ayudar a las familias a prosperar. La alcaldesa Muriel Bowser y la Oficina de la Alcaldesa para Asuntos Latinos (MOLA) otorgaron el premio a UPO porque el programa de Visitas a domicilio fortalece a las familias, brinda remisiones médicas a las familias y promueve el desarrollo saludable de los niños.

El programa forma parte de la Oficina de Aprendizaje Temprano de UPO, el proveedor más grande de Early Head Start en DC. Los visitadores a domicilio llevan recursos de educación para la primera infancia, orientación y apoyo personalizado directamente a los hogares de las familias de DC. El personal de UPO ayuda a las familias a construir una base sólida durante los primeros años críticos de los niños.

“Este premio reconoce la dedicación y el corazón que nuestros visitadores a domicilio de UPO aportan cada día,” dijo Yanet Hernández, gerente del Programa Basado en el Hogar de UPO. “Construyen relaciones de confianza, apoyan a los padres en desafíos y ayudan a las familias a reconocer sus fortalezas a medida que sus hijos aprenden y crecen. Estoy muy orgullosa de nuestro equipo y agradecida de ver que se reconoce el valor de su trabajo.”

UPO agradece al director de MOLA, Eduardo Perdomo, y a su equipo por su colaboración y apoyo a largo plazo. La ceremonia de premiación formó parte del 50.º aniversario de la Oficina del Alcalde para Asuntos Latinos, una gloriosa celebración de historia y cultura durante el Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana.

Para obtener más información sobre la Oficina de Aprendizaje de la UPO, visite https://ow.ly/FB4950ZYegZ

10/15/2026

“UPO Home Visitors Honored with DC Award for Health”

UPO’s team of Home Visitors won the SOMOS DC Award for Health for helping families to thrive. Mayor Muriel Bowser and The Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs (MOLA) gave the award to UPO because the Home Visiting program strengthens families, gives family health referrals, and promotes healthy child development.

The program is part of UPO’s Office of Early Learning, DC’s largest Early Head Start provider. Home Visitors bring early childhood education resources, guidance, and personalized support directly into the homes of DC families. The UPO staff help families to build a strong foundation during children’s critical early years.

“This award recognizes the dedication and heart our UPO home visitors bring every day,” said Yanet Hernandez, UPO’s Home-Based Program Manager. “They build trusting relationships, support parents through challenges, and help families recognize their strengths as their children learn and grow. I am so proud of our team and grateful to see the value of their work honored.”

UPO thanks MOLA Director Eduardo Perdomo and his team for their long-term collaboration and support. The award ceremony was part of the 50th Anniversary of The Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs, a glorious celebration of history and culture during National Hispanic Heritage Month.

To learn more about UPO’s Office of Early Learning, visit https://ow.ly/7LmY50ZYeb7

10/13/2026

“Your Economic Security – Communiry Forum on Monday”

DC residents are facing difficult economic changes. So UPO is addressing the issue: Our Community Leadership Academy and Community Advocacy & Volunteer Services team will convene residents, community leaders, employers, workforce professionals, and others for a Community Forum on “From Getting By to Getting Ahead: Building Pathways to Economic Security.”

We invite you to join the conversation.

Details:
● Monday, October 19
● 5 – 8 pm
● RISE Demonstration Center, 2730 MLK Jr. Ave. SE
● Dinner will be provided
● The Office of Tenant Advocate will conduct Housing Code Violation training

RSVP: https://ow.ly/Irvo50ZXmR8

The featured panel “Why Is It So Hard to Get Ahead?” will highlight effective solutions and connect residents with resources. The conversation will blend community, workforce, policy, and legal perspectives about the barriers that limit economic mobility.

Panelists will address employment uncertainty, financial insecurity, worker protections, housing, burnout, mental health, and the benefits cliff (the sudden cutoff of public benefits when a person gets a new job or promotion, undermining a family’s progress to financial independence).

Panel Moderator:
• Dr. Troy Donté Prestwood
Community architect, change agent, and media commentator

Panelists:
• Kemry Hughes
Community Leader and Workforce Development Professional
• Jermyah Graves
Vocational Development Specialist and Behavioral Health Professional

The featured presentation by DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb is “Protecting Opportunity: The Role of Law, Accountability & Worker Rights in Building Economic Security.” It will show the importance of defending workers’ rights and ensuring that residents understand where to turn when their rights are violated.

“Economic security should be within everyone’s reach,” said Ayana Howard-Bias, UPO’s Director of Community Advocacy & Volunteer Services. “For many DC residents, the challenge is not simply finding a job or making ends meet — it’s having the resources, support, and opportunities to build lasting stability. Moving from getting by to getting ahead requires us to look beyond personal circumstances and address the barriers that make economic security difficult to achieve. This forum brings our community together to identify practical solutions that strengthen families, expand opportunity, and help people achieve a more secure future.”

10/09/2026

“Waking Up to Job Training News on WPGC!”

Thank you to The Good Morning Show team for interviewing our UPO Workforce Institute leaders. Ivan Laney and Derrick Jordan, Sr. were thrilled to let people know how to launch careers and build skills in our job training classes. (They also loved meeting Sports Junkies…)

Shout-out to DC residents:
We invite YOU to join our next classes, which start TUESDAY – yes, October 13!

Text ICAN to 41444 or visit https://ow.ly/CNKw50ZWwS3 so you can SIGN UP

A million thanks to WPGC, Nori Nori, Sherrell Duncan, Todd B, and Guy Lambert for the opportunity.

09/24/2026

Something good is happening…
“Health & Wellness Day” in SW this Saturday!

Join our workshops, discover local resources, and enjoy the day with your community. Bring a friend!

📅 Sat., Sept. 26
10 AM – 3 PM
FREE & OPEN to YOU
Envision Center
203 N St. SW

Partners:
District of Columbia Housing Authority
GOODProjects

09/22/2026

Back-to-School Event + Giveaway: Sept. 24

You’re invited for:
• FREE Food and School Supplies
• FUN Activities
• Music
• Health Screenings
• Resources

Join us this Thursday!
Sept. 24
12:30 – 5pm
UPO’s Petey Greene Community Service Center
2907 MLK Jr. Ave SE

School Supply Distribution: 1:30pm
> Child must be with you to receive school supplies!

“Beat the Streets” is a DC awareness and advocacy movement to improve public safety, health/wellness, education, employment, prevention, and community relations.

Our partners include:
- Diamond Star Divas
- Innergy
- Taylor, Morse & Brown Foundation Inc.
- MedStar FamilyChoice DC
- Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc
- HCS Health Care System – Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia

09/18/2026

“Your Career is Waiting”

When he discovered UPO in high school, Stephen Robinson felt like he’d found his people!

He dove into the Construction Trades Workshop at our Building Careers Academy (one of DC’s largest construction training facilities), then earned a national certification in a high-demand field.

See why he encourages other people to seize the training opportunities at the UPO Workforce Institute.

Text ICAN to 41444 to build your career.

https://ow.ly/taVi50ZPjXB

09/10/2026

“Now YOU can be the change you want to see—
join UPO’s Board”

We Unite People with Opportunities. They become the change agents of their lives and lift themselves into the middle class. And YOU can help!

To apply for our nonprofit Board, you:
1) are a DC resident (age 21+) of certain Election Service Areas (Census Tracts) in Wards 1 or 3, Wards 4 or 5, or Ward 8B
2) complete and pass a background check
3) complete your application, which we must receive by September 30, 2026
>> Download your application here: https://ow.ly/UP9L50ZMmsQ

Questions? Ask Regina Murphy at (202) 238-4638

(Note: Our Board represents all 8 Wards; only 3 seats are open this year.)

NOTE: Watch our Town Hall to hear current Board members share why YOU ought to join: https://ow.ly/L6Eu50ZMmsP

08/21/2026

“NOW: Speak Up and Speak Out – Join Our Community Leadership Academy”

You’ll be trained while you join forces with likeminded community residents, supporters, and organizations to make a visible difference in your community.

At our Community Leadership Academy, you’ll develop and combine knowledge, skills, values, shared visions, and motivation. Join us and Amplify Your Voice!

You get:
- Lunch each day
- A stipend after completion of all sessions
- Hope for your community’s future

Monday, Aug. 24 – Friday, Aug. 28
10am-2pm
UPO’s Petey Greene Comm. Service Ctr.
2907 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave. SE

>> YOU MUST RSVP to attend

08/14/2026

“When YOU Join Our Board, People Will Thrive”

UPO helps people become the change agents of their lives and lift themselves into the middle class: See https://ow.ly/i8PJ50ZA25g

You can be the change you want to see in your community. Watch our Town Hall to hear current Board members share why YOU ought to join: https://ow.ly/If4q50ZA2a4

You’re invited to apply if you are 21+ and live in certain Election Service Areas (Census Tracts) in:
• Wards 1 / 3
• Wards 4 / 5
• Ward 8B

(Our Board members represent all 8 wards— just 3 seats are open right now.)

Your application is here: https://ow.ly/C67h50ZA25f

Seize this opportunity!

UPO creates paths to economic security. Your donation helps people to become the change agents of their lives and reach their full potential.