A Neighborhood Wellness Association representing Violetville. Violetville is located in Southwest Baltimore City and Baltimore County.

Violetville December Newsletter in partnership with The Y in Central Maryland

Posted on by villageofvioletville

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December 2020

A Note From The Community School Director: Santana Goodrich

Greetings Violetville Family!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! This year our holiday celebrations will look a little different but as your Community School Director, I want you to know that we here at Violetville Elementary/ Middle School are here for you. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve you all and I am looking forward to what the New Year of 2021 has in store for us all. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out. Please make every effort to remain safe, by wearing masks, social distancing and regularly washing your hands.  If you are in need of any resources to get a Covid test please do not hesitate to ask for assistance. Happy Holidays!!!

Una nota del director de la escuela comunitaria: Santana Goodrich

¡Saludando a la familia de Violetville!

¡Es la época más maravillosa del año! Este año nuestras celebraciones navideñas se verán un poco diferentes pero como su Director de la Escuela Comunitaria quiero que sepan que nosotros aquí en la Escuela Elemental e Intermedia de Violetville estamos aquí para ustedes. Estoy agradecido por la oportunidad de servirles a todos ustedes y espero con ansias lo que el Año Nuevo del 2021 nos depara a todos. Si tienen alguna pregunta o preocupación, por favor no duden en contactarnos. Por favor, hagan todo lo posible por mantenerse a salvo, usando máscaras, distanciamiento social y lavándose las manos regularmente.  Si necesita algún recurso para obtener una prueba de Covid, por favor no dude en pedir ayuda. ¡¡Felices fiestas!!

With Gratitude,

Community School Director,

Santana Goodrich

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Upcoming Dates and Events/ Fechas y eventos próximos 

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The Victorious Violetville Elementary/ Middle school is proud to be a designated meal site, serving FREE breakfast and lunch for students every Monday-Friday, from 9 am-2 pm.  All students can get meals at any of the city’s meal sites.  Meals are for students, but adults can pick up meals for their children.  Students or families can receive two days of meals at a time, for a total of four meals- 2 breakfast and 2 lunches.. If you cannot make it to Violetville’s site, please check out one of the other meal sites below!

Violetville EMS es un sitio de comida designado, sirviendo desayuno y almuerzo GRATIS para los estudiantes, de lunes a viernes, de 9am a 2pm.  Todos los estudiantes pueden obtener comidas en todos los sitios.  Las comidas son para los estudiantes, pero los adultos pueden recoger las comidas para sus hijos.  Los estudiantes o las familias pueden recibir dos días de comidas a la vez, para un total de cuatro comidas – 2 desayunos y 2 almuerzos. La Escuela Primaria e Intermedia Victoriosa de Violetville se enorgullece de ser un sitio de comidas. Si no puede llegar a ella, por favor, compruebe uno de los otros sitios de abajo!

Meal Sites/Sitios de comida

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FREE INTERNET: Get Connected utilizing our partnerships with Comcast and T-Mobile.

City Schools has partnered with Comcast and T-Mobile to provide Internet access for families that need immediate connectivity.  Families that do not have existing service in-home Internet service are eligible for either one hotspot or service from the Comcast Internet Essentials Program. However, if you are a family three or more children enrolled with City Schools, both services are available and encouraged.  Additional eligibility requirements apply to the Comcast service for more information please Click Here! 

INTERNET GRATIS: Conéctate utilizando nuestras asociaciones con Comcast y T-Mobile.

City Schools se ha asociado con Comcast y T-Mobile para brindar acceso a Internet a las familias que necesitan una conectividad inmediata.  Las familias que no cuentan con un servicio de Internet en el hogar son elegibles para un punto de acceso o para el servicio del Programa Comcast Internet Essentials. Sin embargo, si eres una familia con tres o más hijos inscritos en las escuelas de la ciudad, ambos servicios están disponibles y son recomendados.  Se aplican requisitos de elegibilidad adicionales al servicio Comcast. Para más información, Visite el sitio web de las escuelas de la ciudad. 

Staying connected!

Instagram: @ Violetvillepk8

Facebook: Violetville EMS #226

Twitter: VioletvillePK8

Violetville PK-8 App: Please visit your App Store and type “Violetville” in the search. Download our app to stay connected!  Available in the Apple and Android store!

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Meeting Community Needs /Satisfacer las necesidades de la comunidad

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Violetville is a Community School! /¡Violetville es una escuela comunitaria!

Violetville is a Community School in partnership with The Y in Central Maryland and we believe in providing supports for students, their families, and the overall community. We are committed to providing health & social supports, community development, youth development, college & career, enhanced academics & enrichment, and family engagement whether we are in person or virtually.

Violetville es una Escuela Comunitaria en asociación con The Y en Maryland Central y creemos en proveer apoyo a los estudiantes, sus familias, y la comunidad en general. Estamos comprometidos a proveer apoyo social y de salud, desarrollo comunitario, desarrollo juvenil, universidad y carrera, mejoramiento académico y enriquecimiento, y compromiso familiar ya sea en persona o virtualmente.

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If you are in need of any additional support for you and your family, please feel free to email our Community School Director, Santana Goodrich! We are here to support you!

Si necesita apoyo adicional para usted y su familia, por favor, no dude en enviar un correo electrónico a nuestro Director de la Escuela Comunitaria, Santana Goodrich! ¡Estamos aquí para apoyarlo!

Meals for Youth and Families

Baltimore City and its partners are providing free grab-n-go meals for youth and families at 100 sites across the city. The city is also distributing 30-lb. grocery boxes and 24-lb. produce boxes.

Comidas para jóvenes y familias

La ciudad de Baltimore y sus socios están proporcionando comidas gratuitas para jóvenes y familias en 100 lugares de la ciudad. La ciudad también está distribuyendo cajas de comida de 30 libras y cajas de productos de 24 libras.

Meal Sites Sitios de comidas

Home Delivered Grocery Boxes

Home delivered grocery boxes are available for individuals and households in Baltimore City who meet all of the following criteria as a result of the COVID-19 emergency:

  • Can’t leave home because they’re at increased medical risk, sick or in quarantine
  • Don’t have family, friends or neighbors who can get food for them
  • Don’t receive food delivery through other programs
  • Can’t afford paid meal or grocery delivery
  • Have somebody at home who is able to prepare meals

To see if you qualify and to request a one time delivery:

Residents 59 and younger: Call 2-1-1
Adults 60 and older: Call 410-396-2273

Cajas de comida entregadas a domicilio

Las cajas de comestibles de entrega a domicilio están disponibles para las personas y los hogares de la ciudad de Baltimore que cumplan todos los criterios siguientes como resultado de la emergencia de COVID-19:

  • No pueden salir de casa porque tienen un mayor riesgo médico, están enfermos o en cuarentena.
  • No tienen familia, amigos o vecinos que puedan conseguir comida para ellos
  • No reciben la entrega de alimentos a través de otros programas
  • No puede permitirse el pago de la comida o la entrega de comestibles.
  • Tener a alguien en casa que sea capaz de preparar comidas

Para ver si califica y solicitar una entrega única:

Residentes de 59 años o menos: Llame al 2-1-1
Adultos de 60 años o más: Llame al 410-396-2273

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Assistance Programs 

The Mayor’s Office of Children & Family Success works to make sure Baltimore’s children, youth and families have access to the resources and supports they need to succeed and thrive. Through the Baltimore City Community Action Partnership (BCCAP), the office seeks to assist residents with transitioning from financial vulnerability to sustained financial security.

Eviction/Energy/Water 

Child Care Assistance 

Licensed child care providers are available for younger children and school-age youth up to age 13—and the state has child care scholarships to help cover the costs.

Child Care Assistance

Internet Essentials and the Y

Internet Essentials from Comcast brings affordable, high-speed internet to your home and greater access to what’s important to you. You may qualify if you have at least one child who is eligible for the National School Lunch program or if you receive HUD housing assistance.

• $9.95/month • No term contract • No credit check • No installation fee • In-home wi-fi included

 Internet Essentials y la Y

Internet Essentials de Comcast trae a su casa una Internet de alta velocidad asequible y un mayor acceso a lo que es importante para usted. Usted puede calificar si tiene por lo menos un niño que es elegible para el programa de Almuerzo Escolar Nacional o si recibe asistencia de vivienda del HUD.

$9.95/mes – Sin contrato a plazo – Sin verificación de crédito – Sin cuota de instalación – Wi-fi en casa incluido

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or call 1-800-594-5674.

Aplique aquí

llame al 1-800-594-5674

Traffic Calming in Violetville

Posted on by villageofvioletville

Hello all,

There have been a lot of discussions regarding traffic through Violetville. The large intersection at Caton & Wilkens is sometimes confusing and avoided. As a result, a lot of drivers cut through Violetville (mostly using Haverhill & Pine Heights) to get from Baltimore County to Baltimore City or vice versa. We have followed the process and submitted traffic study requests. They either get denied or they’re approved and we don’t see a date of completion.

The denial reason we keep getting is that we “don’t have enough traffic”. Enough traffic compared to who? We don’t what the metric is BUT we get a lot of speeding on our narrow streets. WE know that its problem. WE hear people flying down the streets overnight without stopping at intersections. WE have had cars damaged. Our residents are the subject matter experts of our needs because we live here and we see what the city doesn’t see during business hours.

We were able to get a 4-way stop at Haverhill & Clarenell after fighting for it through a petition: https://villageofvioletville.org/causes/ This is extremely frustrating because we know many of you have had your cars damaged over night. There have been at least 2 incidents of pedestrians getting hit by cars and several close calls.

We have submitted some traffic calming forms. Thank you to everyone who returned their form, it definitely helps us push for traffic calming. If you are a resident of Violetville and concerned about traffic and would like to submit a traffic calming form with for your street/block email: ashley@villageofvioletville.org

Another option, which seems to be faster than waiting for DOT, is to do something creative with our intersections. Graham Projects has done several traffic calming projects throughout the city to make areas safer and they look pretty cool. The bump-outs (sidewalk being used to narrow the entrance into the intersection) are a speed deterrent. Comment your thoughts below on using this as an option. Communities that go a more creative route have more control over their neighborhoods traffic.

The following is from an email that was submitted to Baltimore City on 9/24/2019. The traffic study in question has been in progress for several years

The current study number is: SR19 00372690   This is only for Pine Heights. We have had studies done at Haverhill Rd & Clarenell Rd several times.  I’m not sure how to search the study number I reported it was a few years ago.  Anything you could help us would be GREATLY appreciated by the whole community, including the school.

PLACES NEEDING 4-WAY STOPS AND ADDITIONAL STOP SIGNS

HAVERHILL & CLARENELL (most recent accident) COMPLETED VIA PETITION

Every 2-way stop along Sharonleigh

Coolidge & Joh

HIGH SPEED STREETS

Haverhill Rd

Pine Heights Ave

Rockhill Ave

Joh Ave

Coolidge Ave

Blind Spot due to parking

Haverhill & Benson  (most recent accident)

Need Review for whether we need clearer lines or stop signs

Corner of Coolidge and Joh Ave

Traffic Background: Cars frequently cut through community from Wilkens to Benson or to avoid the intersection at Caton & Wilkens. Violetville is also a shortcut to access the businesses along Benson and Joh Ave.  We get semi-trucks that get stuck in the community frequently.  Mostly on Coolidge, Haverhill and Greenvale.

The following map marks intersections of concern

How to verify incidents on SpotCrime

Posted on by villageofvioletville

Hello all,

John Mathena (Community Liaison – Office of the State’s Attorney) and BPD – Southwest Precinct are aware of incidents that were reported on the website SpotCrime.com. They was no record of some of the incidents and SpotCrime has also removed the user submitted incidents. If you want to make sure the information is valid, here is a great guide from Mr. Mathena made for us to check the incident against Baltimore City data.

https://secureservercdn.net/166.62.108.22/jmx.768.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Verifying-Crime-Reports-on-SpotCrime.pdf

Seton Keough/MRP Industrial Results

Posted on by villageofvioletville

11/12/2020 Update:

Hi Everyone,
If you missed the meeting Monday, here are the meeting dates for the MRP Industrial Open Houses.

Starting now Village of Violetville, Inc. will be handing off the process to the companies, individual residents, and our City Council representatives. 

Village of Violetville, Inc. will continue to share information we receive to keep everyone informed. So we encourage everyone to join these meetings to understand the project, ask questions, and participate in the survey that follows.

We trust all of our neighbors to make their own decision because we all have different perspectives. This process and the survey that will follow will assist the city in making the final decision. We will not be deciding on the project independently. Instead, this is a new democratic process where everyone gets a seat at the table. 

The process of rezoning was never in our mission statement and something that popped up. We realized that the developer SHOULD do this kind of outreach to every resident, for every development across the city. Every resident in Morrell Park, Violetville, and Wilhelm park received a mailer to their home. This is a good thing! There may be some people who may not be able to make our meetings due to work or other reasons, that can still be involved and informed through the mail!

We have learned a LOT about this process and it has helped us refocus on why we all got involved with Village of Violetville, Inc.
We’re happy to get back to our community building efforts and focus on our neighborhood goals. 

If you’d like more information on the project, timeline, jobs, traffic study, history, and more visit:

http://citylogistics95.com

Also feel free to contact them and your City Council representative with your thoughts and concerns:

https://www.baltimorecitycouncil.com/edward-reisinger

 

Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote in our survey and gave their valuable feedback.  When Village of Violetville, Inc. got started we didn’t realize that our organizing skills would be tested.  It has been tested in a good way.   There have been times in the past where the community was not made aware of changes that had a dramatic impact on their quality of life.  Through the Royal Farms and MRP Industrial review process, we realized that the most valuable thing a resident can have is a seat at the table. 

We would like to thank Councilman Reisinger for making sure we were involved in the process. Before introducing a bill for rezoning, his requirement is for developers to obtain a letter of support from the community.   He will be retiring this December, and we are hopeful that his predecessor will follow the same rule when it comes to community development.

In the future, we think our organization should only offer a letter of support if there is strong support for a project.  The vote for MRP Industrial was very close.   We had a small time frame to collect votes, but we were able to pool a broad group of residents.  In 5 days, we received 58 survey results and amazing feedback.  The letter above includes the results from our survey, and a letter that was sent to all parties on behalf of the residents of Violetville.


CLICK to view Seton Keough / MRP Industrail Survey Results

Councilman Dorsey visits Violetville – Ivy Removal Demonstration

Posted on by villageofvioletville

Councilman Ryan Dorsey and Councilman Kristerfer Burnett visit Violetville!  Councilman Dorsey is an expert at english ivy removal. We reached out and he was able to visit the neighborhood and do an on-site demonstration on how to save our neighborhood trees from the invasive plant. 
See the video of how to remove ivy from a tree:
https://www.pscp.tv/electryandorsey/1ypJdwzNQDdGW?

 

Sewer Backups

Posted on by villageofvioletville

Hello,

Jennifer from Clean Water Action here, with news from the listening session on sewage backups last Monday night! Dozens of people showed up to talk about the severe sewage backups that people all across the city have experienced, and the problems with the Expedited Reimbursement Program that are stopping it from actually providing assistance to Baltimore residents (outlined on our blog here). At one time during the meeting, a speaker asked if anyone had been able to successfully receive reimbursement through the Expedited Reimbursement Program, and no one raised their hands. That, as well as the stories shared on Monday and the data that’s been released to the public, shows that this program needs major changes to actually help people who have sewage backups.

For more about the hearing on Monday, please listen to this piece on WYPR and read this blog post by CWA’s intern who attended!

It’s not too late to let MDE know how you feel about sewage backups! They are accepting written comments by email until next Friday, October 11; and at the listening session, Secretary of the Environment Ben Grumbles said that they will use these comments to evaluate the city’s response to sewage backups and release a report on it to the public. Your story, if you have experienced a sewage backup, and your recommendations, even if you haven’t, will be very important to help MDE come to a meaningful conclusion! Please click here to submit your comment to MDE, or you can email MDE directly at Expedited.ReimbursementProgram@maryland.gov.

Thank you,

Jennifer Kunze
Maryland Program Manager
Clean Water Action
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