RFK Campus: July 2021 Newsletter

Pull Up to the Soufside Market

DC is proud to note that nearly a third of all businesses in the District are Black-owned. As the District strives for the growth of equity and access to services across all eight Wards, new business opportunities arise to close the disparity gap. At the brink where Wards 7 and 8 meets, resides the Soufside Market! Approaching their first anniversary, Soufside Market has been highlighting and empowering Black-owned vendors, across multiple industries, to sell products, as well as empowering consumers to understand the importance of circulating capital within Black communities.

On Saturdays, you will find Soufside Market situated in a parking lot filled with customers shopping from 15 vendors under tents, a DJ playing the latest jams, and a large black and white ‘Soufside Market’ mural. If you are interested in visiting the Soufside Market, check out their website, Instagram, or pull up from 10 AM – 4 PM on Saturdays at 2510 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020.

Soufside Market is always open to feature local Black-owned businesses, to register your business click here. 

Roll Up Your Sleeves with Dreaming Out Loud

Since 2008, Dreaming Out Loud has focused on rebuilding urban community-based food systems through cooperative social enterprise in DC. As an Events DC Community Grant awardee (FY2021, Cycle 2), they were noted for their commitment to equalizing access to fresh and healthy food choices and programs such as the Farm and Food Hub, which sprouted in 2018.

Proudly located behind Kelly Miller Middle School, in Ward 7, the Farm and Food Hub ranges across two acres that produce fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs. The farm looks for volunteers to serve on Wednesdays through Fridays (youth hours are only Wednesday and Friday) from 10 AM - 3 PM from April to November to assist with planting and harvesting, preparing produce for the Meal Hub, and more on the farm! Beyond the farm, there are learning sessions on crafting herbal products, The DREAM Program: a 16-week entrepreneurial for the food industry, and advocacy opportunities to target legislation to remove food disparities.

If you are looking to roll up your sleeves and volunteer with Dreaming Out Loud, click here for their volunteer page. For more information about this Community Grant awardee of Ward 7, click here. 

Up and Over at RFK

Last month the Inaugural 2021 DMV Pole Vault Championships were held on June 26 at the RFK Campus where Olympians like Anicka Newell to DC area elementary vaulters showcased their talent! Anicka Newell expects to be on Team Canada for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Over 60 vaulters catapulted over the bar – even as young as eight years old. The competition was divided into several categories; elementary, combined middle, high school, combined adult open, collegiate, and emerging elite/elite so that participants can fairly compete in their class.

Though this was the inaugural DMV Pole Vault Championships, DC Vault has been in existence since 2018! They work with athletes of all levels, from 5-year-old beginners to World Champions – marking them to be one of the best-equipped pole vault facilities in the USA. The facility features 3 Mondo runways, a UCS 1800 series pole vault mat, a UCS 1900 series pole vault mat, and an elite grade UCS 2100 series pole vault mat.

Click here to read more about the athletes and the competition. 

Events DC's $500K Community Grant Program is Back!

As an active and engaged community member, Events DC is proud to continue to support the future of non-profit organizations in Washington, DC that promote youth participation in both the arts and athletics. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2022, Events DC is pleased to provide funding for the program of $500,000 during two grant cycles ($250,000 in the first cycle and $250,000 in the second cycle). Cycle 1 applications are due August 1, 2021.

The grant program provides financial support to qualifying non-profit organizations dedicated to supporting children through sports, performing arts or cultural arts in the District of Columbia.

Learn more here.

Celebrate the "Summer of Soccer" Across DC

The summer of 2021 is the ultimate summer of soccer! Over 68 days, soccer fans around the globe have an opportunity to catch more than 150 international matches between CONCACAF Nations League, Euro 2020, Copa America, Gold Cup, the Tokyo Olympic games, other international friendlies and regular season NWSL and MLS matches featuring the Washington Spirit and D.C. United.

The first of these tournaments, Euro 2020 and Copa America kicked off on June 12, followed by Gold Cup and the Tokyo Olympic games in July.

The DC2026 team, Washington, DC's official bid for the FIFA World Cup 2026, compiled a roundup of the many of the local bars across DC that will be locked-in on this football frenzy! Join the pursuit and show you are United by the Game at DC2026.org.

Please confirm the game schedule with the bar/restaurant in advance.

Learn More About Summer of Soccer here. 

More Play Is On The Way at The Fields at RFK Campus!

Effective June 11, permit holders and informal groups using fields during Community Open Play can play soccer, flag football, lacrosse, field hockey, contact football, and rugby. All organized activities require a permit.

Field space reservations can be made through the online booking form. 



Celebration Pavilion requests can be made through the separate pavilion reservation form. The pavilion can be reserved for safe, outdoor parties, meetings, classes, and other events. Requests must be received at least 14 days in advance.

Masks Still Required. Patrons using the fields must wear masks at all times, especially while playing on the fields. Adults and older children must continue to wear masks in the playground and adjacent seating areas. We encourage you to get vaccinated!

All guidance and rules are subject to change based on DC public health guidelines and orders from the Mayor’s Office. Check the #playitsafe web page frequently and watch for additional email updates.

If you have any questions about the application or permitting process, please email Rhiannon at admin@cryspdc.org.