News

Members of Congress, Community & Business Leaders Gather at Microsoft Office for Viewing of Restaurant: Impossible, Featuring DC Charity, Horton’s Kids

Congressional members, supporters of Horton’s Kids, and employees from Microsoft and The Home Depot will gather at the Microsoft Policy and Innovation Center office on the evening of Wednesday, June 20^th to watch the Food Network’s Restaurant: Impossible, featuring First Lady Michelle Obama and Horton’s Kids, a non-profit dedicated to providing services to 300 children and 100 families in Washington DC’s Ward 8.  In the episode, the First Lady challenges Chef Robert Irvine to renovate a community center for Horton’s Kids.  Prior to the viewing of the show, the event will feature a healthy summer menu inspired by recipes from the First Lady’s newly released book, “American Grown,” and the vegetables grown in the garden at the Horton’s Kids community center.

Part of the evening will be dedicated to thanking the non-profit’s corporate sponsors, Microsoft and The Home Depot, whose generous donations were crucial to completing the renovation of the community center.  The corporations donated hardware, software, in-kind services, lumber, paint and other material used for the Restaurant: Impossible renovation and the creation of a new computer lab housed within the center totaling more than $150,000. 

“I cannot say enough how thankful we are for the support we’ve received from Microsoft and The Home Depot,” said Horton’s Kids Executive Director, Brenda Chamberlain.  “This project could not have happened without their involvement.”

Microsoft donated equipment and software for a state-of-the-art computer lab to support the children served by Horton’s Kids at their Community Resource Center.  Microsoft staff also installed the technology in the center, which included 10 new computers, 16 computer monitors, and 29 Acer Tablets all uploaded with the most current software.  The new computers will not only help the children become more adept at using technology but will also help neighborhood parents – who are able to take advantage of the community center – create resumes, search for jobs online, and communicate with potential employers via email.   Microsoft also donated a server and software, as well as two Xbox 360 gaming consoles equipped with their popular technology Kinect, which allows the children to exercise in a safe, secure, and fun environment. 

“Children living in our city’s Anacostia neighborhood generally have limited access to the technology and skills training they need to succeed,” said Microsoft Vice President for U.S. Government Affairs Fred Humphries.  “We hope this state-of-the-art computer lab will help many more DC kids be prepared for – and realize – their dreams.”

The Home Depot was invaluable during the renovation and donated building supplies and appliances for the kitchen, in which Horton’s Kids holds healthy cooking classes for children and their families.  They also provided over 40 local Home Depot associates to assist with the renovation as part of the company’s Team Depot program in which employees from across the country volunteer in their communities.  Since its involvement with the renovation, Home Depot has continued its commitment to Horton’s Kids by holding a job fair at the center where more than 70 residents interviewed for 30 job openings in several local Home Depot stores. 

“It’s great to see the final product of everyone’s hard work,” stated Home Depot Vice President of Government Relations, Kent Knutson. “We are very proud to have been a part of this project, and we hope it will enrich the lives of the children and their families living in Ward 8.”

“This was a collaborative effort among many, including the Food Network, the First Lady’s Office, Microsoft, and The Home Depot.  Without Microsoft and The Home Depot’s contributions to Horton’s Kids and the Restaurant: Impossible project, the renovation of the center would not have been completed to the caliber it was.  They were instrumental in the TV show makeover and without their support, the children who participate in Horton’s Kids programs would not have this beautiful and impactful community center,” said Brenda Chamberlain.

About Horton’s Kids:
Horton’s Kids came about 23 years ago when previous Capitol Hill staffer and Horton’s Kids Founder, Karin Walser, was approached at a gas station by young children offering to pump gas for change.  Touched by the children’s stories, Walser along with her friends began tutoring the children and taking them on outings.  Ever since, Horton’s Kids has been providing fundamental services like reading and nutrition programs to children from the Ward 8 community in Anacostia.  Additionally, Horton’s Kids joins forces with many health professionals in the DC area to address children’s basic needs such as nutritious food, clothing, and health care.

Horton’s Kids received the Washington Post Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management in 2011 and was voted ‘Best Non-Profit’ by readers of the Washington City Paper in 2012. 

Horton’s Kids Partners with DC Diaper Bank to Help Distribute Free Diapers to Needy Families

In DC’s Anacostia neighborhood, many mothers are living in poverty, having to choose between feeding their family and buying diapers for their newborns.  The DC Diaper Bank with the help of Horton’s Kids decided to take action so that these mothers do not need to make that choice.  Read more here.

NBA Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas Delivers Commencement Address to Cicely Tyson School of Performing and Fine Arts

NBA great Isiah Thomas delivered the commencement address to the Cicely Tyson School of Performing & Fine Arts graduating class of 2012 on Friday, telling the graduates they would face challenges in life but must persevere.

Student Olivia Mighty introduced Isiah Thomas.   After his remarks, school founder and actress Cicely Tyson also spoke thanking Mr. Thomas for his ongoing work and for addressing this year’s commencement.  

More than 90 percent of the Tyson School’s seniors are expected to attend four- or two-year colleges next year, and plan to study theater, instrumental music, fashion design, and theater production, among other fields.  Three members of the class will enter military service.

Below are excerpts from the commencement speech Thomas delivered today: 

“Graduates today, it’s about you, but it’s more about the people who didn’t give up on you.  My mom would wake me up every morning and say, ‘baby, it’s time to go to school.’ My mother didn’t give up on me, and my aunts and uncles didn’t give up on me even when I had given up on myself because I didn’t think I would make it.”

Praising actress Cicely Tyson as a trailblazer, he said, “We are not the race of people who don’t want to be educated.  We are the race of people that died to be educated…You have to have the courage to go outside the structure.  She was determined to succeed.  You are determined to succeed.”

“So I’m asking you, yes you’re graduating high school but can you do it again? If you’re knocked down can you get back up again?”

“When you come from where we come from, it is set up for you to fail.  You have to do what Ms. Tyson did and go outside of the structure.”

“I have a question for you: when are you going to start believing in yourself?  If that day is today, then don’t be afraid to say what Muhammad Ali used to say: ‘I’m the greatest.’ You know why he’s the greatest?  Because he said so.”

Thomas graduated from Indiana University and is currently studying to receive his Masters in Education.  Thomas won the NCAA basketball championship with Indiana University in 1981 and played 13 years with the Detroit Pistons, leading the team to consecutive NBA titles in 1988 and 1989.  Thomas, an NBA All-Star for 12 of his 14 seasons with the Pistons, was named to the NBA’s list of top 50 players.  He is a successful businessman and also the founder of Mary’s Court, named after his mother, which provides Chicago’s inner city children with food and mentoring. 

Michelle Obama Helps Deliver Community Center to Horton’s Kids on the Food Network’s ‘Restaurant: Impossible’

First Lady Michelle Obama challenged Chef Robert Irvine to renovate a community center for Horton’s Kids, a non-profit that helps improve the lives of children from  Washington DC’s Ward 8.  Read more here!

Ziggy Marley Supports Just Label It Campaign to Label GMOs

Click here to read Ziggy Marley’s interview with The Root about his work advocating for labeling genetically modified foods.