ANCs from 7B, PAECC, and Neighborhoods along Pennsylvania Avenue SE Corridor Unite to Launch Change.org Petition to Urge CVS Health to Keep Store #1335 Open at The Shops at Penn Branch.
The management of this newly built store has quietly announced their last day of operation will be July 9th.
Sign our petition now!
#CVS #SHOPSATPENNBRANCHDC #PENNBRANCH #SEDC #DC #WARD7
Our community is standing up to support those of us whose livelihoods are threatened by the recent terminations of Federal workers and contractors, as well as dramatic cuts to U.S. Government-supported programming. We are launching a new effort that will allow us to show support for our impacted neighbors while raising funds to deliver care packages to affected households and host additional community events to bring neighbors together during these difficult times.
Proceeds will fund care packages and additional community gatherings to lift up those who are affected.”
In coordination with our 2025 membership drive, we are offering yard signs that say Penn Branch Supports Public Servants—this includes not only Federal employees, but also contractors, non-profit employees, and others who are directly and substantially affected.
Please make a $20 donation on our website (See below), or by check, and let us know if you would like to have one of these signs. Proceeds will fund care packages and additional community gatherings to lift up those who are affected. Please consider choosing a membership renewal option (include link) that bundles your membership and sign donation to maximize your impacts on behalf of the community.
MAIL CHECKS TO:
P.O. Box 6730 Washington, DC 20020 –Be sure to note: “Penn Branch Cares Campaign”
We also need your help to identify neighbors who have been directly and substantially affected by recent Federal government terminations and funding cuts. This will help us ensure we are directing care packages to the right folks. If you or one of your neighbors are among this group, please reach out to k.anthony.murphy@gmail.com to let us know.
We will take the next step in reaching out to neighbors. Please also know that your neighbors and friends are standing with you in solidarity and are ready to listen to anything you need and any ideas you may have for improving our support.
Your Penn Branch Community Association cares. Here is a list of Resources for Federal Employees, Contractors, and Others Facing Uncertainty
The Penn Branch Community is proud of its rich history as a home to many distinguished public servants. We stand with our neighbors and friends in these difficult times. We honor your service on behalf of our country and communities, and we are committed to supporting each other through these hardships and into a brighter future that delivers justice for all who have been harmed.
Please share additional recommended resources with k.anthony.murphy@gmail.com for potential inclusion in future updated resource guides. Please also share ideas for how Penn Branch can best support you or others who have been affected.
The resources below apply to anyone who faces job loss or uncertainty, regardless of whether they were employed by the Federal government.
Comprehensive Resource Sites
Unemployment Compensation
Workers should file for unemployment insurance in the jurisdiction of their last duty station (listed on final SF-50 form). For example, a DC resident who was terminated from a Federal job based at the Pentagon in Virginia should apply for unemployment benefits in Virginia. The links below provide more information.
Healthcare, Housing, Food, and Other Assistance
Federal Employee Rights, Resources, and Legal Action
Job Seeking
Sharing Your Stories
Federal News and Discussion Board
Donate a paver in honor of your family, organization, or a beloved neighbor | LINK: Donate.Brickmarkers.com/pennbranchdc
Penn Branch Community Association is asking for your support to help us improve 9/11 Memorial Park. Our goal is to beautify this gateway to our neighborhood by covering the main surface area (along Carpenter Street SE) with personalize pavers that memorialize the many great families, elected servants, and organizations that has made this community great.
Donate a personalized paver in honor of your Penn Branch Family, Ward 7 organization, or a beloved neighbor.
Donate.Brickmarkers.com/pennbranchdc
#wearepennbranch#DC#campaign#SEDC
donate.brickmarkers.com/pennbranchdc
By Azola Burton
I have lived in Penn Branch since 2017 when I was 6 years old.
For my 8th grade community project I want to create a blog to provide a youth perspective on Penn Branch Community events. As a 13-year-old, I think community events are a great way to bring people together and have fun. I like seeing how different activities can help people connect and talk, whether it’s a local community event or sports event.
I want to increase the number of children and families that attend Penn Branch Community Associations events. To do that I have taken pictures and videos to put on the Penn Branch Community Association website.
My goals with this project :
One of the new events that my family hosted was a family movie night. This event was specifically to get families out into the community. I set up tables, snacks, and helped my mom with shopping to contribute to the event. I also picked a kid friendly movie.
The Penn Branch walking tour was sponsored by Events DC and The Penn Branch Community Association. The tour was led by Jim Byers who hosts the Latin Flavor jazz show on WPFW 89.3 FM. On the tour our tour guide shared facts about certain neighborhood houses, apartments,and landmarks. One of the most interesting things he shared was how African Americans contributed to the design of the houses.
I helped by taking pictures and videos of the tour for our neighborhood website.
Every August the neighborhood hosts community day. The planning committee gets donations, finds community organizations to have tables, gets food, reserves the location, and finds volunteers. During this time the neighborhood gets time to talk and connect with each other.
This year of 2025 I have helped with setting up tables and yard games
Our family has been gardening since I was 2 years old. Since 2017, we have been gardening here in DC. We have 6 raised garden beds and we grow things like blackberries, strawberries, spinach, lettuce, raspberries, okra, eggplants, tomatoes, bok choy, flowers, and herbs.
In 2024 my mom started a local garden group and at some of the meetings held at our home they talked about how they grow certain vegetables and fruits.
I helped others by cutting and prepping food for everybody, setting tables, and cleaning up at the end.