Councilmember Zachary Parker

@cmzparker5

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Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· 25d

The latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter is available now! You can read it at ward5.us/news and subscribe to get it straight to your inbox every Friday evening at ward5.us/newsletter

Ward 5 Weekly - July 17, 2026
this week's highlights:
- We've Moved! Plus Lots of Community Meetings
- Roving Leaders Day in Langdon Park - Tomorrow
- Ward 5 Family Biking July Ride - Tomorrow
- Community Day at Woodridge Library - Sunday
- Roll Off Day in North Michigan Park - July 25
- Fort Lincoln Multi-Agency Blitz - July 29
- Ward 5 Neighbors Get in FREE at National Building Museum - July 31, 2-5pm

Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· Jul 4

This Fourth of July, I am celebrating our founding ideals while remaining clear-eyed about the hard work that remains ahead of us to more perfectly embody them. Leaning on the wisdom of Frederick Douglass and James Baldwin, read my full reflections here: app.indigov.com/pub/outreach...

Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· Jul 2

Hello! You may have noticed in my most recent newsletter (ward5.us/news) that I’m having a Town Hall with Carver Langston residents to address a number of pressing issues—including the need for food access in the Hechinger Mall area—on July 15. I hope you’ll join us! ward5.us/townhall

Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· Jun 26

The latest Ward 5 Weekly newsletter is available now! You can read it at ward5.us/news and subscribe to get it straight to your inbox every week at ward5.us/newsletter.

Ward 5 Weekly - June 26, 2026
this week's highlights:
- Recap of Second Budget Vote
- Langston Golf Course Update
- Clean-up and Roll-off Day in Trinidad - Tomorrow
- DDOT North Capitol Meeting - June 30
- Independence Day Observances - July 3 & 4
- Flood Awareness Workshop in Ivy City - July 7
- DOB Community Listening Sessions - July 9 & 23

Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· Jun 24

Another sidewalk gap in Ward 5 closed! This one is on Brentwood Parkway near KIPP DC in the Union Market area. Thanks to @ddotdc.bsky.social for the new model they launched this year to guide where gaps still exist and need to be closed. Check out the dashboard: sidewalkgap.ddot.dc.gov

Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· Jun 24

I am sending my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Mason Clark and honor his remarkable legacy in youth development as a co-founder of the Woodridge Warriors.

Our community is mourning the loss
of one of its most influential pillars,
Mason Clark. Beloved in Woodridge
and Ward 5, his influence
expanded to the entire DMV
region as a leader in the youth
sports community.

63 years ago, Mr. Clark co-founded the Woodridge Warriors Youth Organization and sparked generations of positive youth development through good sportsmanship and a passion for football, baseball, basketball, and cheerleading. His legacy as a father, coach, and mentor leaves an indelible mark on the District. Where others were ready to give up on our youth and outsource solutions, Mr. Clark rolled up his sleeves and invested his life in helping our young people be the best they can be.

We are indebted to Mr. Clark’s exemplary years of community investment. I am sending my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones, and honor his legacy alongside countless neighbors.

Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· Jun 23

It is rare for elected officials to acknowledge when they previously landed in the wrong spot, but that’s what I’m doing. While I originally had reservations about semi-open primaries, I now plan to support today’s amendment, joining the push to make DC more democratic. See my full statement 👇🏾

I am persuaded by the feedback I have heard from constituents. While I am committed to promoting a strong Democratic Party, I am convinced it’s important to allow DC’s roughly 85,000 registered independent voters to vote in DC’s most consequential election. I am most moved by the federal employees, journalists, and other District residents for whom party registration creates serious professional risks as well as those who have to switch back and forth between parties just to have their voices heard. As we fight for DC Statehood, it is imperative that we embody the ideals of a more perfect democracy. It is rare for elected officials to acknowledge when they previously landed in the wrong spot, but that’s what I’m doing. While I originally had reservations about semi-open primaries, I now plan to support today’s amendment and join the push to make DC more democratic and representative.

Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· Jun 19

Happy Juneteenth! 161 years ago on this day, news of emancipation reached enslaved people in Galveston, TX—two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. May our observance of today's holiday deepen our commitment to true liberty and justice for all.

Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· Jun 19

The latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter is available now! You can read it at ward5.us/news and subscribe to get it straight to your inbox every week at ward5.us/newsletter.

Ward 5 Weekly - June 18, 2026
- Modified Gov't Services for Juneteenth - Tomorrow
- Summer Youth Meals Program Starts - Tomorrow
- Capital Pride Parade - Saturday (june 20)
- Crummell Groundbreaking - June 22
- Second Vote on FY27 Budget - June 23
- Ward 5 Public Safety Call - June 24
- RFK Draft Plan Community Webinar - June 25

Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· Jun 18

Next week: join my office for our next Ward 5 Public Safety Call. We will be joined by commanders from MPD's Third, Fourth, and Fifth Districts to discuss crime trends, recent incidents, and provide neighbors a chance to ask questions. Register at ward5.us/publicsafetycall

Ward 5 Public Safety Call
hosted by Councilmember Parker and Ward 5 Council Office Staff
WHEN: Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: Register at ward5.us/publicsafetycall
Livestreaming on YouTube @CouncilmemberZacharyParker
questions? Contact Oliver Stoute - ostoute@dccouncil.gov

Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· Jun 16

🗳️ ELECTION DAY! Get out and vote, DC! From now until 8:00 p.m., visit any vote center across the city to cast your ballot. For a full list of vote centers, visit the Board of Election's website here: dcboe.org/voters/find-...

GO VOTE DC!
Ward 5 Locations:
Bunker Hill ES | Noyes EC | Joe Cole Rec
Mt Horeb Baptist | Lamond-Riggs Library
McKinley Tech HS | Dunbar HS | Woodridge Library Turkey Thicket Rec
HOURS: 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· Jun 12

The latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter is out now! You can read it at ward5.us/news and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter. Missed the most recent Ward 5 Wave Podcast? Tune in at ward5.us/podcast.

Ward 5 Weekly - June 12, 2026
- What's in the FY27 Budget
- Rhode Island Ave PorchFest - Tomorrow
- Ward 5 Family Biking Family Ride - Tomorrow
- DC Primary Election Day - June 16
- Juneteenth Holiday - June 19
- Summer Youth Meal Program Starts - June 19
- Capital Pride Parade - June 20

Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· Jun 8

Our children and teachers deserve safe, healthy learning environments. I joined teachers and parents at Noyes Elementary today as they demand DGS and DCPS fully resolve the raccoon infestation before summer school starts.

Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· Jun 5

The latest editions of the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter and the Ward 5 Wave Podcast are available now! You can read at ward5.us/news, listen at ward5.us/podcast, and subscribe to get the newsletter straight to your inbox every Friday evening at ward5.us/newsletter.

Ward 5 Weekly - June 5, 2026
this week's highlights:
- New Staff Member! - Sansskruty Rayavarapu
- The Great Brookland Yard Sale - Tomorrow
- Carver-Langston Health & Resource Fair - Tomorrow
- First Vote on FY27 Budget - June 9
- South Dakota Ave Walks with DDOT - June 11
- Ivy City Pet Adoption Center Opening - June 12
- Rhode Island Ave NE PorchFest - June 13

Ward 5 Wave Podcast
Season 3 | Episode 8
June 5, 2026
Fight for Funding and Happy Pride!

Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· Jun 4

Tonight! Get DPR's latest updates on their capital projects across Ward 5. Register at dc-gov.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· Jun 1

Happy Pride Month, DC! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ Every year, we raise this flag outside the Wilson building as a symbol and a charge—DC is for everyone and love always wins. 💖

Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· May 30

We are outside! Healthy Communities Spring Cleaning, Riggs Park Day, and plenty of sunshine ☀️

Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· May 29

The latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter is available now! You can read it at ward5.us/news, and subscribe to get it straight to your inbox every Friday evening at ward5.us/newsletter.

Ward 5 Weekly - May 29, 2026
- Healthy Communities Spring Cleaning - Tomorrow
- McMillan Scholarship for Ward 5 Students
- Pools & Spray Parks Now Open on Weekends
- Hearings on Air Pollution and Disability Equity - June 4
- DPR Ward 5 Updates Meeting - June 4
- South Dakota Ave Walks with DDOT - June 11
- Ivy City Pet Adoption Center Opening - June 12

Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· May 27

Our annual Healthy Communities Spring Cleaning is just around the corner! Sign up to join one of the many clean-up sites across Ward 5 at ward5.us/springclean

Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· May 27

The Council meets informally today for our budget work session. Each committee presents their proposal, members ask questions, and we tackle some of the bigger issues facing the FY27 budget. Neighbors can tune here: dccouncil-us.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· May 25

Memorial Day has its origins in our country’s bitter Civil War—first celebrated by freedmen who honored the memory of Union soldiers who had died in a Confederate prison camp. As we mark another Memorial Day for our country’s fallen, may we honor their memory by truly committing ourselves to peace.

Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· May 22

The latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter is available now! Read at ward5.us/news and subscribe to get the newsletter straight to your inbox every Friday evening at ward5.us/newsletter

Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· May 20

The Committee also makes several important investments via transfers to and from other Committees that will help improve outcomes for youth and families across the District.

$100,000 in FY27 for a one-time enhancement to fund arts and music programming to
promote youth wellbeing and support anti-truancy initiatives for District youth via a
transfer to the Committee of the Whole.
• $50,000 in FY27 for a one-time enhancement to the Combat Sports Commission to support
small, independent theatrical wrestling productions in the District thanks to a transfer from
the Committee on Public Works and Operations, chaired by Councilmember Brianne
Nadeau.
• $250,000 in FY27 and $831,378 over the financial plan to fund the Food and Friends
program via a transfer to the Committee on Health to support expanded nutritional food
access for District residents and families.
• $124,703 in FY27 and $513, 976.88 over the financial plan to fund implementation of the
Food Policy Council Procurement Amendment Act of 2025 to better coordinate the
District’s food procurement systems, including those impacting youth-facing agencies like
DC public schools and DYRS.
• $350,000 in FY27 to fund Rhode Island/12th Street Grants to stimulate economic
development in the region via a transfer to the Committee on Human Services.
• $150,000 in FY27 to fund truck traffic enforcement cameras that will improve street safety
via a transfer to the Transportation and Environment Committee.

Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· May 20

3. Improving Accountability and Oversight Across Youth-Serving Systems

Maintaining the Office of the Ombudsperson for Children’s proposed FY27 allocation of
$733,094, continuing the Council’s independent oversight function over the District’s child
welfare system.
2/39
Committee on Youth Affairs
Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Recommendations
• Transferring $500,000 to the Committee of the Whole to create a new independent DYRS
facilities oversight body under the Council, filling the gap left by the sunsetting of the
Office of Independent Juvenile Justice Facilities Oversight.
• Fully funding the Strengthening Transparency and Capacity at DYRS Amendment Act of
2025 to preserve DYRS population data reporting, standardize juvenile recidivism metrics
across agencies, and direct the Mayor to produce an action plan to reduce the overcrowding
at YSC.

Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· May 20

2. Investing in Sustainable, Rehabilitative Models of Justice

Rejecting the Mayor’s proposed $29 million expansion of secure bed capacity and instead
redirecting those funds toward a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility at New
Beginnings, addressing a critical treatment gap in the District, as well as modernizing the
Langdon Park Community Center and the New York Avenue Recreation Center —
investing in rehabilitation and prevention rather than confinement.
• Restoring $500,000 for the Credible Messengers program in FY27, which the Mayor’s
proposed budget cuts by more than 71 percent, with the aim of preserving, in part, a proven
model of mentorship and reentry support for youth transitioning out of DYRS.

Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· May 20

1. Preserving and Strengthening the District's Child Welfare Continuum

Restoring $975,000 in FY27 to fund three Family Success Centers, prioritizing high
performing centers while maintaining geographical diversity. The Committee urges the full
Council to restore the remaining six centers through the broader budget process.
• Providing a $385,000 FY27 enhancement to CFSA to implement the SOUL Amendment
Act, fulfilling the Council’s commitment to older foster youth who helped design and
champion a new permanency pathway.
• Reducing long-term vacancies by 9.0 FTEs and allocating a $150,000 one-time
enhancement in FY27 for hiring incentive bonuses at CFSA to address the social worker
shortage, reduce workloads, and improve retention.
• Restoring $1.35 million for Safe Shores, the District’s only Children’s Advocacy Center
and a legally required participant in the Multidisciplinary Team on Child Abuse
Investigations, and direct CFSA to develop a permanent, recurring funding solution.

Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· May 20

🧵The Committee on Youth Affairs just voted unanimously in favor of our FY27 Budget Report and Recommendations, focusing on three areas:

To this end, the Committee on Youth Affairs recommends:
Preserving and Strengthening the District's Child Welfare Continuum
Investing in Sustainable, Rehabilitative Models of Justice
Improving Accountability and Oversight Across Youth-Serving Systems

Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· May 19

🚶🏾‍➡️ This Thursday! Join my constituent services team for office hours and a chance to get out and move as the weather cools down. (Stay tuned for a rain plan if necessary) 📍 Taft/Dwight Mosley (1800 Perry St NE) ⏰️ 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (stop by anytime)

Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· May 15

The latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter is available now! You can read it at ward5.us/news and subscribe to get it to your inbox every Friday evening at ward5.us/newsletter. We're using a new and improved sending platform, so you may notice some changes this week.

Councilmember Zachary Parker@cmzparker5· May 13

Today's the last day to sign up to host a clean-up site for our Healthy Communities Spring Cleaning event on May 30! Visit ward5.us/springclean to sign up. Just want to join a location near you? Stay tuned: we'll share all the sites in this week's Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter (ward5.us/newsletter).