One City Summit Preliminary Report

Washington, DC February 11, 2012

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District residents gather to discuss being One City

On February 11 , about 1,700 District of Columbia residents joined Mayor Vincent C. Gray and other city leadership at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Participants at the Summit spent the day discussing what it means to be One City and how to overcome challenges and build on the Districts strengths to improve the quality of life for all residents. Throughout the day, participants discussed how we: 1) Create a more diverse and growing economy, 2) Ensure greater early success for all infants and toddlers, 3) Educate our youth for the economy of tomorrow, and 4) Align residents job skills with our growing economy. Mayor Gray opened the day by outlining what the vision of One City means to him. For their discussions on the days topics, the Mayor asked participants to think beyond themselves, their families, and their friends to ensure that we create a progressive, prosperous, inclusive, vibrant city for everyone. Throughout the meeting, participants used keypad polling to register their views and engaged in facilitated group discussions about being One City. The One City Summit utilized methodology from AmericaSpeaks, a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that engages citizens in the public decision-making that affects their lives.

Who Attended the One City Summit?

Summit demographics are compared with the demographics of DC.

Gender Female Male Age 15 to 19 20 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65 and better

One City Summit 61% 39% One City Summit 8% 6% 15% 11% 19% 22% 19%

Census Data 52.8% 47.2% Census Data 6.6% 10.7% 20.7% 13.4% 12.5% 10.6% 11.4% Census Data 3.5% 52.6% 9.1% 0.3% 35% 3.2% N/A

Ward Live In One City Summit Ward 1 18% Ward 2 9% Ward 3 8% Ward 4 13% Ward 5 13% Ward 6 13% Ward 7 9% Ward 8 10% Work, but dont live in DC 7% None of the above 1% Household Income Under $25,000 $25,000 to $50,000 $50,000 to $75,000 Over $75,000 Not Sure Length Lived in District Less than 5 years 5 to 10 years 10 to 20 years 20 to 30 years More than 30 years None of the above One City Summit 27% 20% 15% 30% 8% One City Summit 17% 11% 20% 13% 34% 6%

Census Data 12.7% 13.3% 12.8% 12.6% 12.3% 12.7% 11.8% 11.8%

Race/Ethnicity One City Summit Asian American 8% Black/African American 44% Latino/Hispanic 19% Native American/Indian 1% White or Caucasian 22% More than one race 5% Other 1%

Census Data 24% 18% 16% 42% Census Data N/A

Reasons Participants Attended the One City Summit

Make my voice and our collective voices heard Speak for others who are not always heard - youth, seniors, homeless, immigrants, people with disabilities Speak up for education and affordable housing Learn more about what is happening across the District and where we are going Learn about the Mayors vision Learn more about what is happening in different Wards/neighborhoods Learn more about available opportunities jobs, education, housing

Ideas from Online Engagement:

Enable all income levels to live and work in D.C. by using the city budget process to restore funding to key resources that allow all to thrive Annual Guitars not Guns festival to get at-risk youth for music education Create transitional living for disconnected youth Pursue D.C. statehood to enfranchise residents and end taxation with representation Create ways for non profits to share space and resources

Exciting Opportunities for Becoming One City as We Grow

Improving opportunities for education in DCPS, charter schools, UDC- Community College, more choices 24% Our diversity is an asset 7% Creating more jobs and access to jobs 23% Growing awareness & support for self-determination 6% Increasingly rich & diverse cultural offerings (ie, zoo, museums, galleries, performing arts) 4% Access to lots of public transportation options (Capital Bikeshare, Circulator, Metro) 6% Decreasing crime rates & increase safety 13% Growing business development (i.e., green economy, growing retail, supporting small business development, revitalized neighborhoods) 14% Increasing access to health-care services 9%

Biggest Challenges to Becoming One City as We Grow

Income inequality 14% Uneven economic development opportunities 12% Uneven access to quality education 14% Insufficient services for growing immigrant communities in jobs, education 9% Lack of affordable housing/gentrification 17% Corruption and perceived corruption within city government undermines public trust 15% Historic racial divides and discrimination persist 11% Difficulty accessing city services health care, jobs, housing, etc. 11% Lack of access and options for transportation 4%

STRATEGY #1 TO DIVERSIFY AND GROW THE DISTRICTS ECONOMY: GROW EXISTING SECTORS
Likes about the Strategy Growth and creation of diverse job opportunities Promoting growth in a variety of neighborhoods Home Run Investments voting Create a hub for supporting non-profits training, space, development 30% Convert unused properties into neighborhood spaces for job training & adult education programs. 42% Turn libraries into satellite universities 12% Provide tax incentives for small businesses 20% Concerns about the Strategy Government may not do enough to make sure all residents are aware of job opportunities created by growth Government may not provide enough funding to train residents for new job opportunities Small and long-term D.C. businesses may not be able to benefit from new economic development Red tape related to licensing and permitting of businesses may limit growth

STRATEGY #2 TO DIVERSIFY AND GROW THE DISTRICTS ECONOMY: ATTRACT NEW, INNOVATIVE SECTORS
Likes about the Strategy Provide tax incentives for new businesses Develop technology start-ups and incubators Create new jobs in the city Home Run Investments Prepare residents to take advantage of new opportunities Invest in green businesses and jobs Streamline regulatory process to promote new businesses Make D.C. a center for a particular industry (i.e., health care, arts/theater, technology, sustainability) Develop connections between educational system (K-12 and universities) and jobs Concerns about the Strategy Sustaining businesses after start-up Negative impact of new businesses on existing businesses Include everyone: existing residents, disabled, the poor, young people 28% 15% 11% 16% 34%

STRATEGY #3 TO DIVERSIFY AND GROW THE DISTRICTS ECONOMY: PROMOTE OPPORTUNITIES IN NEIGHBORHOODS
Likes about the Strategy Promotes and improves neighborhood character Shopping locally keeps dollars in the community Creates improved transportation options Home Run Investments Investments in small and local businesses (tax incentives, tax credits) Job training for youth and adults Encourage local hiring Affordable housing options Strengthen business and community relations Investment in technology (social media, Web 2.0) Youth entrepreneurship Concerns about the Strategy Big business will drive out small business Not enough early community input Not enough focus on making communities self sufficient (jobs, amenities) 17% 26% 19% 21% 9% 5% 9%

STRATEGY #4 TO DIVERSIFY AND GROW THE DISTRICTS ECONOMY: INVEST IN SUSTAINABILITY

Likes about the Strategy Better waste management and recycling can bring in revenue for the city Modernizing buildings improves energy efficiency, Reduces waste, and creates jobs More public transportation choices increases accessibility and energy efficiency Concerns about the Strategy Not enough residents understand importance of environmental/sustainability issues Who bears the cost of these green initiatives? Lack of awareness, strategy and access to recycling options

Home Run Investments Better waste management and recycling can bring in revenue for the city Tax incentives for retrofitting houses to be more energy efficient Develop a pool of D.C. residents with job skills in the sustainability sector Fully fund green transportation options Access to healthy food options (i.e., farmers markets, community gardens, grocery stores) for all residents Make city regulations more green-friendly Offer sustainability education in schools and community

12% 15% 22% 8% 22% 7% 19%

Sample of Additional New Strategies

- Leverage our revenues through new public banks - Connect education to jobs - Invest in small business development - More public/private partnerships including non-profits

Challenges That Children and Families Face In The First Few Years
Lack of affordable, adequate & accessible quality childcare in all wards Lack of access to pre-natal care Need for more parental education (lack of knowledge of how to take care of children, family planning) Insufficient access & funding to health care & health-care resources Not enough support for single & working parents Working two jobs reduces time parents spend with child Unsafe neighborhoods More knowledge about healthy nutrition & more availability of nutritious food options for children Poverty parents unable to properly support children Teen parents have challenges & lack of support. Their peers are too young to support Children taking care of children Substance abuse/domestic violence abuse in the homes by family members

Important District Government Services and Resources That Will Help To Have Healthy, Thriving Infants and Toddlers
Access to quality health care Affordable and subsidized high-quality childcare (including extended hours beyond 9-5) Parenting education classes and support Access to services when and where we need them Access to reproductive health information Provide more education about nutrition and access to healthy food 19% 29% 23% 13% 6% 15%

Important Skills and Abilities Our Children Will Require To Succeed In the Economy Of Tomorrow
Social skills ability to communicate, resolve conflicts, develop healthy relationships Critical thinking, problem solving, reasoning Reading and writing Technology skills beyond texting science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) Exposure to and respect for diverse cultures, including foreign languages Budgeting, money management, and financial responsibility Ability to connect education to employment job skills, career options, internships Job-search skills resume preparation, interviewing techniques, professional etiquette

Things Elementary Schools Need To Do To Ensure That Children Succeed

Teach a second language 15% Teach the basics: reading, math, writing 19% Encourage and provide opportunities for parent involvement 11% Hire and retain caring and effective teachers 15% Teach critical thinking and problem-solving 14% Prioritize computer and technology literacy as part of the curriculum 5% Teach social skills (i.e., cooperation, listening, conflict resolution, discipline, leadership) 20% Focus on STEM education 8%

Things Middle Schools Need To Do To Ensure That Children Succeed

Reinforce reading comprehension, writing, and math skills 18% Provide training on technology/computer literacy 8% Training on life skills (conflict resolution, social skills, team work and anti-bullying) 23% Bilingual education teaching young people multiple languages 12% Teaching in STEM areas 10% Teach career skills and exposure to career options 10% Varying ways to learn experiential (recreation, field trips, arts, music, problem-solving) 16% Encourage greater parental/family involvement 9%

Things High Schools Need To Do To Ensure That Children Succeed

Ensure access to computers, Internet, computer literacy 12% More meaningful student engagement motivate (students) based on the needs of the child 14% Offer career awareness and job-related training 16% Enhance learning outside the classroom internships, experiential learning, mentors 19% Offer year-round schools 6% Provide more advisors and counselors 8% Encourage meaningful parental involvement 7% Support multi-culturalism; language support for native and foreign language learners 10% Ensure safe school environment 10% Ensure quality instruction reward performance over tenure 6%

Feedback on Promising Practices for Workforce Development and Training

Ensure access for marginalized citizens (vets, immigrants, LGBT, ex-offenders) All good ideas, weve seen these before People want to see results DC resident preference in hiring More focus on ways to reintegrate citizens returning from prison system Involve employers in the process Proper assessment of job seeker skills and abilities is critical Job training to identify career paths - Train people for careers & not just jobs Better align educational system with employment needs & opportunities Support integration of basic education & job skills training Ensure appropriate assessment of skills to better tailor job training Training & support for disabled community (career, mentorship)

Level of Support: 36% high; 17% medium to high; 21% medium; 74% medium support or higher. ALSO: 7% low to medium; 19% low;

What District Government Can Do

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Focus job training on growth industries, 17% Expand partnerships with unions and private sector employers, 10% Make job seeker services more accessible flexible hours, expanded locations, 12% Develop more coordination among schools, colleges, training programs and employers, 21% Tighten the social safety net better coordinated supportive services across District agencies, 10% Provide incentives for hiring District residents, 19% Improve program quality through better monitoring and accountability, 12% 7 Hire DC residents and provide on the job training, 23% Hold citywide non-profit open house to inform public of available services, 18% Provide job training and internships to DC residents, 19% Create a network of non-profits who already provide job training and share best practices, 24% Seek additional funding to provide job training, 9% Should lead efforts to improve the Districts workforce, 7%

What Business Can Do

1. Create partnerships to prepare potential employees with schools, community college, government, other businesses, 25% Hire DC residents and then provide on-the-job-training for their position, 28% Provide pathways to employment (internships, apprenticeships, mentoring), 21% Invest in job training in schools and communities, 14% Invest in entrepreneur programs to build capacity for local small business development, 13%

2. 3. 4. 5.

What Job Seekers Can Do

1. 2. Be persistent, 16% Network and expand your circle of acquaintances those who do not have jobs often have friends that do not have jobs, 18% Volunteer to gain experience, 17% Pursue education to improve job skills, 18% Dont overlook soft skills - resume writing, interviewing and communication skills, dress for success, work expectations), 18% Be responsible and dedicated to gaining employment, 12%

What Non-profits Can Do

3. 4. 5.

6.

Potential Indicators for One City What Individuals Can Do to Support Job Seekers
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Be a mentor Each one teach one - Mayor ask one person to ask another person to get connected, 30% Offer internships, job-shadowing, etc. (give a bridge to employment), 23% Volunteer or donate to job-training programs, 14% Be a tutor, 7% Share information about job openings, network with job-seekers, 25% 1 2 3 4 5 Ability to afford housing, 18% Increased High School graduation rate, 11% Lower crime rates, 9% Lower unemployment (especially Wards 7 & 8), 17% Communication & transparency about government performance results, 8% 6 Creation of more small businesses, 5% 7 Decline in homelessness, 6% 8 Increased opportunities for civic engagement (ie, follow up conversations to summit), 8% 9 Increase in the # of children ready for school, 5% 10 Reduction in income disparity across the city, 12%