FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Julian Gross/Christine Goodman
Phone: 301-385-9691/202-641-3176
Email: jgross@everybodywinsdc.org / cgoodman@dchousing.org
A Community Champion: Everybody Wins DC to recognize Marcus Manning
of the DC Housing Authority at Annual Gala on May 12
EWDC & DCHA celebrate 3-year partnership to help children and families thrive through reading
On May 12, 2022, Everybody Wins DC (EWDC) will honor Marcus Manning of the DC Housing Authority (DCHA) with its first-ever Community Champion Award at its annual gala, EWDC Celebrate. The event will also recognize the 3-year partnership between EWDC and DCHA that has expanded reading opportunities for children and families living at DCHA properties across the District.
“Our work with the DC Housing Authority has put thousands of free books into the hands of children, helping them build the personal libraries that will engage their minds, encourage their growth, and inspire their futures,” said Jordi Hutchinson, EWDC Executive Director. “Marcus Manning has been essential to this work, serving as a true advocate for the communities he serves and connecting families to programs that can help them thrive. EWDC is proud to recognize him for the champion he is.”
For over 27 years, EWDC has used books and reading to help children build the foundational skills needed to succeed in the classroom and in life. The partnership between EWDC and DCHA, led by Mr. Manning, has helped both organizations do even more for the populations they serve. Since 2019, EWDC and DCHA have given away more than 2,000 free books to DCHA residents. In addition, EWDC and DCHA have placed Little Free Libraries at 5 DCHA properties (Highland Dwellings; James Creek; Kenilworth Apts; Potomac Gardens; and Woodland Terrace) and are continually filling them with books that elevate diverse voices and experiences, so all children have an opportunity to see themselves on the pages they read. Mr. Manning also personally served as an EWDC mentor, reading with a 3rd grade student at Walker-Jones Education Campus for one hour a week.
“DCHA is thrilled to partner with Everybody Wins DC, distributing books throughout our communities. Our Youth Coordinator Marcus Manning is a role model, making it a priority to share the social and educational benefits of reading with our youth and families,” said DCHA Executive Director Brenda Donald. “We are so proud Marcus is part of our DCHA family and congratulate him on this special Community Champion honor. Our partnership with Everybody Wins DC is so important in spreading the love of reading and using your imagination, while also inspiring our future generations.”
EWDC Celebrate is EWDC’s largest fundraiser of the year, bringing together more than 250 business leaders, government officials, volunteers, and friends in support of EWDC’s reading programs and impact. The Community Champion award is a new recognition designed to honor an individual or
organization that goes above and beyond to serve others through books and reading. The event will be held on May 12, 2022, at the Planet Word Museum (925 13th Street NW).
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ABOUT EVERYBODY WINS DC: Everybody Wins DC is a non-profit organization that uses books and reading to help children thrive. EWDC’s work focuses on social-emotional development, foundational literacy skills, and building a love of reading and learning. Current programs include one-on-one mentoring, read aloud/book discussions, and free book distributions and combined reach approximately 4,000 students across the DC region each year. For more information, visit www.everybodywinsdc.org.
ABOUT THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY: The District of Columbia Housing Authority is an independent government agency whose mission is to provide quality affordable housing to extremely low to moderate income households, foster sustainable communities, and cultivate opportunities for residents to improve their lives. One of the District’s largest landlords, DCHA provides subsidized housing to approximately 50,000 residents. For more information, visit http://dchousing.org/
