United Planning Organization

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.

08/07/2026

“LIVE Town Hall on Weds. – Why YOU ought to join UPO’s Board”

UPO Unites People with Opportunities so they can become the change agents of their lives and rise into the middle class. We fight for economic and social justice throughout the District.

You can become a UPO ambassador: A vocal champion and supporter of our programs and initiatives. You can be the change you want to see in your community.

We’re holding a Facebook LIVE Town Hall this Wednesday so you can ask your questions. The answers from current Board members will help you decide if you want to join our Board!

You’re invited to our Town Hall
Weds., Aug. 12
6:15 pm
VISIT: https://ow.ly/BJkU50ZxEHk

The requirements for the open seats on our nonprofit board are:
1) 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) able to complete and pass a background check
3) complete your application, which we must receive by August 14, 2026
Download your application here: https://ow.ly/fFHg50ZxEHl

Board Areas of Expertise:
❱ Fundraising & Resource Development
❱ Communications & Public Relations
❱ Community Planning & Economic Development
❱ Early Education
❱ Workforce
❱ DC Policy, Research & Legislation
❱ Business Operations
❱ Advocacy & Grassroots Organizing
❱ Fiscal | Banking
❱ Legal
❱ Audit

Your Commitment:
❱ Attend Full Board Meetings bi-monthly
❱ Attend Board Committee Meetings: monthly or bi-monthly
❱ Participate in at least 2 UPO-sponsored civic engagement events

(Note: The UPO Board includes members from all 8 Wards; right now, just 3 seats are open.)

07/08/2026

"Together, We Fight Hunger during Nourish the American Dream Week"

Everyone in DC deserves nourishing food every day. So UPO is partnering with Albertsons (including Giant) to tackle childhood hunger as a step toward ending hunger in our beloved District.

Let’s do this together!
Text UPOfood to 41444
to donate.

Thank you!

07/06/2026

You’re invited to a Policy Forum to learn what’s needed right now to address homelessness.

You’ll hear from people with lived experience, practitioners, and policy experts about how homelessness in DC, and the District’s response, has changed. Despite the progress, great challenges remain. Let’s figure out what to do next.

Wednesday
July 15
9:30am - 12:30 pm

True Reformer Building
1200 U Street NW

RSVP: https://ow.ly/KzcB50ZkMG9

07/04/2026

We wish you a meaningful Independence Day!

“May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.” — Peter Marshall

07/03/2026

Fight Hunger during Nourish the American Dream Week

Having nourishing food every day is foundational to true independence. We are partnering with Albertsons stores (including Giant) to take action against childhood hunger as a step toward ending hunger in our beloved District.

Let’s do this together!
Text UPOfood to 41444
to donate.

Thank you!

07/02/2026

“Change Your Community – Join UPO’s Board”

We invite you to join our Board of Directors and be the change you want to see in your community.

UPO Unites People with Opportunities so they can become the change agents of their lives and rise into the middle class. We fight for economic and social justice throughout the District.

The requirements for the open seats on our nonprofit board are:

If you're a DC resident (age 21+) of
Wards 1 or 3,
Wards 4 or 5,
or Ward 8B,
download your application here: https://ow.ly/PoRH50ZjPYP

Board Areas of Expertise:

❱ Fundraising & Resource Development
❱ Communications & Public Relations
❱ Community Planning & Economic Development
❱ Early Education
❱ Workforce
❱ DC Policy, Research & Legislation
❱ Business Operations
❱ Advocacy & Grassroots Organizing
❱ Fiscal | Banking
❱ Legal

Your Commitment:

❱ Attend Full Board Meetings bi-monthly
❱ Attend Board Committee Meetings: monthly or bi-monthly
❱ Participate in at least 2 UPO-sponsored civic engagement events

(Note: The UPO Board includes members from all 8 Wards; right now, just 3 seats are open.)

Join us to help your community thrive!

06/21/2026

Happy Father’s Day!

“A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes,
smart enough to profit from them,
and strong enough to correct them.” — John C. Maxwell

We appreciate all of the fathers and father figures,
including ones who take care of their families,
who are advocates for their friends,
who are leaders in their communities.

You are the heroes who show up and make a difference. We wish you a wonderful day!

06/19/2026

Celebrate Juneteenth!

Juneteenth, also known as Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, or Freedom Day, symbolizes Resilience, Overcoming, and Equality. Washington, DC celebrates Juneteenth with parades, music festivals, and educational events.

Eating red foods is a tradition, likely from Yoruba and Kongo people who were brought to Texas to be enslaved. In both cultures, red can represent power, sacrifice, and transformation.