Dear Washingtonians,  

This has been a year of big challenges and big wins for our city. Even as we’ve faced a series of unprecedented challenges, Washingtonians have done exactly what I would expect: you’ve stuck together, defended our city and our neighbors, and always found ways to keep winning for DC. Together, we:   

• Opened a new hospital in Ward 8 on the St. Elizabeths East campus and then we came back and opened the new Advanced Technical Center for our high school students who want to get a jump start on careers in health care.
• We continued the transformation of Downtown, converting more underutilized office space into new housing and bringing new employers to DC.
• We also continued to celebrate the spirit of DC: opening the new Go-Go Museum in historic Anacostia, celebrating our creative community at festivals like Art All Night, and we hosted an amazing World Pride 2025.
• Over the summer, we connected 13,000 young people to earn and learn opportunities through the Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program. And we started the new school year with even more career opportunities for our high school students.
• We launched TalentCapital.ai, a new tool that is connecting displaced workers with opportunities in the region.
• Even in an unusual budget year, we put together a Growth Agenda to ensure that as our economy shifts, we shift with it.
• And, of course, part of that Growth Agenda includes one of our biggest wins of 2025: we’re bringing our Commanders home and transforming 180 acres of land on the banks of the Anacostia into thousands of new housing units, acres of park space, a new entertainment district, a sportsplex for our kids, and more.

We also continued building on the work we did last year to drive down crime. We had the lowest violent crime rate since before the pandemic, the lowest homicide rate in eight years, and a 47% reduction in traffic fatalities.  

What makes all of these wins special is not just that we got them done in a difficult year, but that they represent the real DC. They represent the values, talent, and hard work of the more than 700,000 people who call DC home. They remind us that even with one hand tied behind our back, we take care of ourselves and we keep our city moving forward.  

With gratitude,

The first round of leaf collection continues in Section C, and Section D is expected to start on Monday, December 22. Rake your leaves into the tree box or curb in front of your home. Paper bags are welcome if you’d like, but please don’t use plastic bags, as they can’t be composted. Check your collection section and sign up for updates to stay informed.