Community

Services and Facilities: Existing Conditions

OVERVIEW
In order for us to better understand our present community, its strengths and weaknesses, and to inform our understanding and analysis of how to make Adams Morgan a better community, the following analysis of the current community facilities of Adams Morgan has been developed. Our definition of community facilities included, but was not limited to schools, pre-K and after school programs, healthcare services, senior services, parks and recreation services, and non- profit organizations that provide direct benefit to Adams Morgan or impact it in any fashion. Police and fire services were not included in this report. Phase II of our planning exercise will suggest recommendations based on our analysis of the current findings. What we currently know about our various community facilities:

PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Adams Morgan has three public schools operating within its boundaries. However, only two of them, Marie Reed and H.D. Cooke are available to children of Adams Morgan through the traditional school boundary enrollment process. Oyster-Adams Bilingual Schools boundaries are such that many of the students living across the street from the school are not eligible to attend. The school has a nationally recognized language immersion program and accepts students from across the city through a rigorous acceptance process. (All of the schools identified have their profiles available on the DCPS website.) The two traditional elementary school populations in our community are majority Hispanic, followed by African-American, Whites, and Asians. Currently, there is only a small white student population, however, if current population trends continue, a larger non-minority population increase could be in the future for both of our two elementary schools. These schools serve as feeder facilities to public middle schools that lie just outside of the borders of Adams Morgan and several charter schools that can accept our students upon application. While overcrowding is not a major factor in either Cooke or Reed, both institutions lack major resources, including supplies and unique staffing and services, which would prove invaluable in their efforts to improve their test scores against city wide and national testing norms. And given the added challenges of language, economic, and social challenges that confront many of the students, more teachers as well as resources would be welcomed.

H.D. Cooke Elementary School: 44% of Cookes students come from inside the school boundaries which include all of Adams Morgan. H.D. Cooke operates an International Baccalaureate program which attempts to expose students to a broad range of ideas, global appreciation, and an international mindset. A strong extracurricular activities program including vocal and instrumental music is offered along with Spanish language instruction. The focal point of this program is to create an environment where the students grow and change and evolve into individuals capable of changing the world. Despite the glowing description of their learning goals the school has its challenges. 80% of its students are in the free or reduced lunch program and almost 10% are in special education classes. An even greater challenge is the performance scores in math and reading. A full 71% were performing below grade level in math and 69% were found to be below grade level in reading. The principal most recently outlined a list of needs/resources to the Adams Morgan ANC in the hope of funding in the near future. Marie-Reed Elementary School: Marie Reed is a diverse school located on one of the two commercial corridors in Adams Morgan (18th Street).The school offers a wide range of services and course offerings including English monolingual and Spanish dual language strands for its students. The schools offerings and services are provided in three major concentrations: Academic Enrichment, Wellness and Fitness*, and Arts and Culture. *Marie Reed boasts a strong complex for fitness including a major all-purpose field, soon to be significantly upgraded, 24 hour lighting, handball and tennis courts, and an indoor swimming pool. The student demographics, much like H.D. Cooke, has a majority Hispanic population (61%), followed by African-Americans (24%), Asians at (8%), and the White student population at (6%). The school enjoys a stronger than average daily attendance percentage 95% versus 72% for that of all DCPS schools. Academically, the school finds the majority of its students performing at or above grade level (58%) and almost half of the student body are reading at grade level or above (49%). Oyster-Adams Bilingual School: Oyster-Adams Bilingual School is a dual-language immersion, Pre-K-8th grade public school for children from many neighborhoods and nationalities and cultures. It is an academically rigorous program in a language rich-bilingual environment that concentrates on personal achievement and global environment. The Oyster-Adams Bilingual School evolved from two schools: Oyster Bilingual Elementary School in Woodley Park and Adams Elementary School in Adams Morgan. In 2007, the two elementary schools were combined and the dual-language immersion model was expanded to the entire Adams School. Today, both schools have a combined student enrollment of 670 students and the school has the vast majority of its students reading at, or well above the median proficiency level for DCPS Schools.

Students learn and interact in two languages throughout the day. The goal is for students to be 50% proficient in English and the same in Spanish. The programs research suggests that the immersion process leads to a better student. Oyster-Adams has two pre-K classrooms: one typical mainstream classroom and another full inclusion class, where students with special needs learn side-by-side with typically developing students. In K-6, each classroom has two same-language teachers that work together to co-teach and differentiate instruction to meet the needs of the many different learners. However, as noted elsewhere in this section, Oyster-Adams school is not automatically open to residents of Adams Morgan and if they would like their child to attend the school they must go through a formal process to be considered for admission. Summation on Adams Morgan Public Schools: The public elementary schools in Adams Morgan, with the exception of Adams, suffer from the same challenges that face most DCPS schools; limited school resources and students in need of a host of resources in order to make them and their schools competitive. At the middle school and high school level, there are no schools within the Adams Morgan boundaries, however, at least one middle school lies just across 16th Street. Charter and private schools can be found in a two-mile radius of Adams Morgan and are included within the school boundaries for Adams Morgan. There is a selection of highly regarded private schools, some as close as several blocks from the Adams Morgan boundaries. Note: See maps for a complete list of secondary public, charter, and private schools on the Envision documents website: http://www.scribd.com/collections/4078158/Community- Services-and-Facilities-Working-Group.

PRE-K EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

The importance of quality schools can never be overstated and in recent years pre-K programs have also taken on a significance almost as vital as that of the K-12 school programs. All of the public schools in Adams Morgan offer pre-K programs beginning at age 3-5, but admission is done by lottery. Unfortunately, these pre-K programs do not offer early learning services for children under the age of 3 and the lottery system makes admission even more of a challenge. Currently, we have at least one non-profit institution providing such services. Jubilee Jumpstart: Is among the leading Pre-K programs in the city and Adams Morgan is their home base. The program is located inside the federally subsidized housing community Jubilee Housing. Their mission is to ensure that children are fully prepared for school and beyond through the provision of an enriched focus on the social and emotional well-being of the children. They currently have an enrollment of approximately 50 children, some of whom are subsidized and others are full pay. The

cost for each child is about $20,000 a year, which can be a challenge for young families just starting out. Davids Star Day Care Center: Located on Ontario Road, Davids Star Day Care Center is a for-profit childcare center that caters to children from any location. Its cost are in line with those of Jubilee, however, Jubilee is able to enroll children who need to be subsidized and it is unclear if that is the case with this center. Lanier Lullabies: Located in the Lanier Heights section of Adams Morgan, also a for- profit for parents in need of childcare. United Planning Organization: Operates a childcare operation in a location just outside of the Adams Morgan boundaries and does participate in the Districts child subsidy program.

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
Adams Morgan is served by a variety of non-profit organizations some of which are not located within the Adams Morgan boundaries but serve significant segments of the Adams Morgan community from its youngest children through its oldest citizens. Listed below is a selection, but an incomplete list of non-profit organizations serving Adams Morgan. (A far more extensive list of such organizations can be found in the appendix of this document.)

CHILDRENS ORGANIZATIONS
These organizations provide a broad array of services that extend and enhance the work of the schools and other civic organizations dedicated to the welfare of young people. FLOC (For the love of Children): Bilingual, FLOC provides educational services beyond the classroom, free of charge, for low income students (K-12) by bringing together students, volunteers, families and community partners. Our own H.D. Cooke is a partner in the FLOC initiative. Today, roughly 25 staff and 300 volunteers serve nearly 600 students per year in local schools and in FLOC facilities. Adams Morgan Youth Leadership Academy (AMYLA): This group, founded in 2007 is dedicated to working with the underserved young people of Adams Morgan. They work to inspire stronger academic performance and to identify job and other opportunities to allow the young people to grow and mature in a responsible way. AMYLA is scheduled to play a major role in job placement in connection with the proposed Adams Morgan Hotel. This opportunity will be closely monitored. Sitar Arts Center: Located in the heart of Adams Morgan, the Center caters to pre-K children allowing them to explore their personal and artistic growth through music, drama, dance, and creative writing. The Center does offer a unique arts program targeted to the pre-K through after school programs, weekend programs, and summer classes. Sitar Center has offers classes to more than 700 students annually. More than 150 talented artist volunteer their time to the Center, which relies on charitable contributions to maintain its service offering.

Healthcare: Adams Morgan does not have an in-patient hospital within our borders; however, we do have nationally recognized hospitals within two miles of our borders and an excellent choice of community-based healthcare facilities and a wide assortment of physicians and dentists who practice within Adams Morgan or its immediate surroundings. (See appendices for a more complete list of healthcare providers and location maps.1)

COMMUNITY BASED HEALTH SERVICES

Marys Center: Is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that provides both medical and dental care regardless of income by basing its fees on a sliding scale and accepting both Medicare and Medicaid. Marys Center provides bi-lingual, integrated health services and has the ability to provide those services in tandem with social services and health education. The hours of service make it ideal for working class families who need early and evening services. Unity Columbia Road Health Services: This facility is also a FQHC providing quality health services in the heart of Adams Morgan. Founded in 1979, the Columbia Road Health Services has been a part of the Unity health services since 2010. Its primary mission is to serve the chronically underserved and like Marys Center provides bi- lingual capabilities. In addition to its medical providers, it has a large network of mental health counselors and social workers to address the needs of its patient population. In Patient Facilities (Hospitals): Adams Morgan does not have a hospital within its borders; however, it does have three hospitals with level one trauma centers within two miles of its boundaries. A complete list of hospitals within two miles and within four miles is found in maps that appear in our appendices. Local Providers Dentist and Doctors: Adams Morgan has an abundance of physicians and dentists located within our boundaries or adjacent to us. A complete list of those providers and locations can be found in our Appendices.

SENIOR SERVICES
Josephs House: Josephs House is a hospice home for homeless men and women dying of AIDS and other terminal illnesses. Saras Circle: an award winning non-profit that provides housing to very low income seniors and a Wellness Center providing comprehensive services. Its programs create affordable living space and provide services that recognize the disabilities of low- income seniors. Harvard Towers: a resource for low-income seniors operated under the DC Housing Authority and open to all citizens of the city.

Maps can be found at the Envision document site at: http://www.scribd.com/collections/4078158/Community-Services-and-Facilities-Working-Group

DC Office of the Aging: This city-wide government agency provides services such as Meals on Wheels to seniors living in our community and a variety of wrap-around services to our low income seniors.

OTHER SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES

Adams Morgan is host to a large number of non-profit organizations -- some engaged in the matters of our community and many others focusing on city-wide, national, or international issues. Below are a selection of non-profits whose focus is Adams Morgan. Jubilee Housing: Is a faith based non-profit organization established to provide affordable housing and supportive services to economically disadvantaged residents of Adams Morgan. In addition to the housing facilities, they provide a variety of services to both youth and the elderly. The Festival Center: Is a faith-based organization located in the middle of Adams Morgan and committed to nurturing groups and individuals to overcome their personal challenges and provide a foundation for groups attempting to make social change through their multi-purpose building located on Columbia Road. Adams Morgan Partnership: The partnerships primary mission is divided into three parts: maintenance of the business corridors and surrounding streets; security in those same corridors; and, the promotion and advancement of businesses in the Adams Morgan Community. Adams Morgan MainStreet: Its mission is the promotion of Adams Morgan through regular promotions, support of its retail offerings, and the support of small businesses in our community.

PARKS AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES

Adams Morgan has several unique park and recreational features including having its border facing the beautiful Meridian Hill Park and parts of its Northern and Western boundaries include the nationally known Rock Creek Park. The world famous National Zoo abuts the Lanier Heights community of Adams Morgan. Kalorama Park: Kalorama Park is a vibrant part of the Adams Morgan community. It is frequented during the day through early evening by community members of all ages utilizing its childrens play areas, the recently renovated basketball courts, or its broad expanse of green space and inviting sitting areas. The parks recreational center serves both the youth and adults in the area with games, supervised programs, and available computers. The center also serves as a community resource for meetings and gatherings. The park is supported through the community-based Friends of Kalorama Park. At present, the Kalorama Recreation Center does not have an organized/scheduled set of recreational activities during the school year for our young people beyond the few computers and games found in the recreation center.

Furthermore, the recreation center is old and out of step with more modern recreation centers found in other parts of the city. Walter Pierce Park: Walter Pierce Park enjoys the same type of organized volunteer commitment as its Kalorama counterpart. The park offers much of the same amenities as Kalorama but also has one of the citys first dog exercise areas. It also has a beautiful field for soccer and other sports. The park was an original burial ground for African- American Union soldiers and African-American residents of the District. Thanks to the efforts of the Kalorama Citizens Associations the burial ground has been identified and recognized by the National Park Service.

ARTS AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS

Adams Morgan has been a destination for the Arts since before the 1960s, however, during the 1960s and 1970s artistic efforts flourished along its commercial corridors and dance, music, and theater were regularly performed in unique spaces. Several faith-based organizations led this effort and the community was home to a wide variety of local artists. Below is a partial listing of the artistic venues, organizations, and spaces devoted to the arts. Performance, Exhibition Space District of Columbia Arts Center The District of Columbia Arts Center (DCAC) is a nonprofit organization that supports emerging artists who are trying to get a foothold in the public arena. DCAC includes a 750 square foot gallery and a 50 seat black box theater. 2438 18th Street NW Washington, DC 20009 202-462-7833 info@dcartscenter.org http://www.dcartscenter.org/ The Potter's House The Potters House is a cafe, bookstore, and community space. The Potters House provides gallery space for community artists. 1658 Columbia Rd NW Washington, DC 20009 202-232-5483 http://www.pottershousedc.org/ http://www.pottershousedc.org/ Arts General The intersection of Adams Morgan, U Street, and DuPont Circle was named one of Americas Top 12 Art Places for 2013. (http://www.artplaceamerica.org/wp- content/uploads/2013/01/AMERICAS_TOP_ARTPLACES_2013.pdf) Arts Education, Classes

Sitar Arts Center (See earlier reference) Sitar Arts Center brings its diverse community together to give underserved children and youth the opportunity to explore and study the visual and performing arts in an afterschool safe haven. The Center partners with local volunteer artists and arts organizations to provide comprehensive arts education, nurturing relationships and high expectations that enable young people to better know and express themselves as they discover and develop their artistic gifts. 1700 Kalorama Road, NW Suite 101 Washington, DC 20009 Tel: (202) 797-2145 http://www.sitarartscenter.org/ Hinckley Pottery Hinckley Pottery is a showroom, shop, and studio. Classes for kids and adults are available and require registration fees. 1707 Kalorama Road NW Washington, DC 20009 202-745-7055 http://www.hinckleypottery.com/ info@hinckleypottery.com Galleries Morton Fine Art Morton Fine Art is a curatorial group that collaborates with art collectors and visual artists to inspire fresh ways of acquiring contemporary art. 1781 Florida Ave NW Washington, DC 20009 202-628-2787 mortonfineart@gmail.com http://www.mortonfineart.com/ PUBLIC LIBRARIES There are no public libraries located within Adams Morgan. Residents with borrowing privileges can borrow some content online at: http://www.dclibrary.org/downloads. The closest District of Columbia public libraries are: Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library 3160 16th St., NW Washington, DC 20010 mtpleasantlibrary@dc.gov 202-671-3121 http://www.dclibrary.org/mtpleasant http://www.dclibrary.org/mtpleasant Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library 3310 Connecticut Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20008 clevelandparklibrary@dc.gov 202-282-3080

CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS
A community would be hard pressed to survive on its governmental organizations alone. Adams Morgan is blessed to have an array of organizations who share in developing the policy and social character of our community. This is but a partial list of such organizations that help our community maintain its place of importance in the Capital city. Kalorama Civic Association: Founded in 1919, its mission is a simple one to promote the interest of Adams Morgan and they have been doing it for nearly 100 years. Historical preservation, working with the ANC to monitor the entertainment sections of our community, and working to ensure the peace and security of the entire community are all part of their mission statement. In addition, zoning and preservation of our designated historic districts are part of their mission. Reed-Cooke Neighborhood Association: Is a similar neighborhood association that has been monitoring and working to improve the balance and quality of life for the entire area covered by the Reed Cooke overlay. (An explanation of the Reed Cooke overlay may be found in the Land Use and Zoning section of this document). The organization has been a champion of both the Marie Reed and the H.D. Cooke elementary schools. Lanier Heights Neighborhood Association: A relative new comer to the Adams Morgan community, when compared to the two neighborhood associations referenced above, the Lanier Heights association is working to insure the well-being of the Lanier Heights community. The Churches: Adams Morgan has a strong offering of churches that cater primarily to Christian denominations. They are far too numerous to list here but play a supporting role in the ongoing welfare of Adams Morgan.

OVERALL COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT

Adams Morgan is one of the most attractive places to live in Washington DC with elementary schools that are showing promise, parks and recreation facilities that are attractive, healthcare resources, an organized business community, and a cultural and civic network that is committed to the growth and vibrancy of this community.