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United Planning Organization

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UPO helps DC residents overcome barriers & lift themselves into economic security w/job training & placement, free financial & housing counseling...

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A day in the life. New week, important conversations! Join me and @upoindc tonight if you’re able.

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UPO

SPEK radio connects with United Planning Services of Washington D.C. to learn what support they provide to help people overcome barriers and get on track. @upoindc

#information
#helps
#everyone

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Are you ready for this conversation?
FROM GETTING BY TO GETTING AHEAD!

What does it really take to move from surviving to financial stability? Join UPO for an impactful Community Forum as we bring residents, community leaders, and resource partners together for honest conversations and real solutions around economic security, employment, mental wellness, and breaking barriers to success.

Monday, October 19, 2026 (5PM – 8 PM)
Rise Demonstration Center
Resources, meaningful conversations, and solutions that move our community forward!

Your voice matters. Your future matters. Let’s work together to build pathways to economic security!

Join a Meal with us, and come be part of the conversation. Participate in our Solution Lab breakout sessions. Leave empowered to take the next step!

Moderator: @iamtroydonte
Confirmed Panelists: @kemryhughes @thegravediggerreport
Special Guest: @brianschwalbfordc DC Office of Attorney General

#UPO #CommunityForum #EconomicSecurity #CommunityEmpowerment #FromGettingByToGettingAhead

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This is Dancing With Babies! The signature program of @_inspired_child, Dancing With Babies brings developmentally sensitive, science-based music and movement to infants and toddlers in Washington DC and beyond. Today we were joined by two special guest musicians from @cameratanordica all the way from Sweden after their @carnegiehall debut… and the babies were enchanted!
With support from @upoindc we bring our program to these young children of parenting teens to become part of the village that cares for them. We don’t perform for them—we work with the children and their teachers over months and even years, so that the music-based tools get integrated into their daily experience in their own community.

I am so proud of the Inspired Child team, whom I led (7 years ago??) to create this one-of-a-kind music program for babies and toddlers based on scientific understanding of this special stage of brain development. We are now bringing Dancing With Babies to different regions of the U.S. and beyond, AND we have new programming coming soon!

✨Find out more at DumbartonArtsEd.org✨

📸 @isitmodern 💙

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For many people, having enough food is not something they can take for granted. Rising costs and everyday challenges can make it difficult for families to keep their refrigerators and pantries stocked. Too many people are going without a basic necessity of life: food.

A meal may seem simple, but to for someone experiencing hardship, it can mean a little relief, and knowing that someone cares. Because no one should have to wonder where their next meal is coming from.❤️

special shout out to the Master’s Touch Ministries for their commitment to the community.

#UPOinDC #CommunityImpact #FoodDistribution #FeedingTheCommunity #CommunityStrong

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✨UPO COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY REUNION✨

Leadership isn’t just about holding a title—it’s about using your voice, knowledge, and influence to create meaningful change in your community.

The UPO Community Leadership Academy (CLA)equips residents with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to become stronger advocates and community leaders. Through training, civic engagement, advocacy, and conversations around economic security, wealth-building, community needs, and social change, participants learn how to turn lived experiences into action.

From learning how to advocate for their communities to understanding pathways to building generational wealth and creating greater opportunities, CLA participants are developing the leadership skills needed to help shape a stronger future.

Today, we celebrate the impact, growth, success, and commitment of every CLA participant who chose to invest in themselves and, most invest in their community.

Congratulations to our Community Leadership Academy graduates and alumni! Your voice matters. Your leadership matters. Your community needs you. And the work continues!

Here’s to leadership, purpose, advocacy, wealth, and lasting community impact!🥂

#UPO #CommunityLeadershipAcademy #CommunityLeadership #BuildingWealth #CommunityImpact

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WE OUTSIDE! COMMUNITY. CONNECTION. CULTURE. IMPACT.

And just like that, another successful event for the books!
UPO was proud to host the Beat the Streets Closing Event, bringing our community together for an afternoon of resources, music, food, fellowship, fun, and meaningful connections.

From our residents and families to our partners, vendors, volunteers, and community champions — YOU showed up and made it happen- Thank You

A huge THANK YOU to our amazing collaborating partners, MedStar Family Choice DC, Diamond Star Divas, Beat the Streets, and to every organization, vendor, and community partner who helped make this event a success.

This is what community looks like.
This is what partnership looks like.
This is what impact looks like.

Until next time… WE’LL SEE YOU IN THE STREETS!

#UPO #BeatTheStreets #CommunityImpact #DCCommunity #UnitingPeopleWithOpportunities

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How does 1 unit of gas cost $20.55 when I haven’t cooked since April? 🛑
I’m looking directly at my Washington Gas bill. My previous meter reading was 2,354. My current reading is 2,355. That is 1 CCF of consumption. I haven’t turned on my stove to cook a single meal all month—yet my bill is $20.55.
Look at this line-item breakdown:
Customer Charge
Distribution Charge
Pipe Adjustment
Natural Gas Supply
Right-of-Way Fee
Delivery Tax
Are we paying for actual gas, or are we paying high connection fees and corporate surcharges because doing business costs more? Are those corporate operational expenses being directly shifted onto the customer?
This isn’t just about my bill. It’s about transparency for every resident in the District—whether you own or rent. Utility costs are surging while our wages remain stagnant.
Look at the regional economic landscape: hundreds of thousands of Black and Latina women across the DC-Maryland-Virginia region have been displaced from the workforce in recent years. In a city with a total population of around 770,000 residents, that loss of economic stability is staggering. People are overworked, underpaid, or searching for work, while everyday basic survival costs keep rising.
We need answers and oversight. How are utility rates approved, and who is @votemendo @mdc_dsa @dcdemocrats @cmwendellfelder
protecting District working families? @cmwendellfelder @ward7mocrs_ @ward7democrats @wamu885 @cmcharlesallen @councilofdc @washingtongas @upoindc @breadforthecity

@mayor_bowser @janeese4dc @robertwhite_dc @cmzparker5 @cmbrookepinto @doee_dc @dcmocrs

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Your health. Your community. All in one place. 💜
Join Vida Senior Centers for a day of free screenings, resources, and connection — because caring for our elders is how we care for our roots.
AARP DC DC Department of Aging and Community Living United Planning Organization DC Department of Parks and Recreation
@aarpfoundation @upoindc @dacl_dc @dcdpr @pluscustomprinting
#vidaseniorcenters #CommunityHealthFair #LatinoHealth #DC #FeriaDeSalud

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Your health. Your community. All in one place. 💜
Join Vida Senior Centers for a day of free screenings, resources, and connection — because caring for our elders is how we care for our roots.
AARP DC DC Department of Aging and Community Living United Planning Organization DC Department of Parks and Recreation
@aarpfoundation @upoindc @dacl_dc @dcdpr @pluscustomprinting
#vidaseniorcenters #CommunityHealthFair #LatinoHealth #DC #FeriaDeSalud

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Welcome to the Journey! @upoindc Thank you for entrusting @thejourney2well to support your organization’s amazing #allstaff #gathering We are honored to support the learning and self-care need of your staff to help them Live Well, Feel Well, Be Well, in order to HelpWell #corporatetraining

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Technology changes lives—but community makes it possible. 💜

Every time our doors open, we’re reminded that technology is about so much more than computers. It’s about empowering people, creating opportunity, and making sure no one is left behind.

Through our partnership with @upoindc , @truststeamplus , and the @swacademydc CONNECT+ Community Helpdesk, we’re building a stronger, more connected community—one conversation, one repaired device, one new digital skill, and one neighbor at a time.

Here, generations learn together. Young adults gain real-world workforce experience by serving others. Community members build the confidence to navigate an increasingly digital world. And every interaction helps close the digital divide while strengthening the connections that make our neighborhoods thrive.

This is more than digital literacy.
This is more than technical support.
This is community in action.

Powered by Trust STEAM+.
In partnership with UPO.
Built with community.

Because the strongest networks aren’t built with cables…
They’re built with people. 🤝💻

#TrustSTEAMPlus #CONNECTCommunityHelpdesk #UPO #SWAcademyDC DigitalEquity DigitalInclusion

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