Government shutdown resource event to take place at Gaithersburg High School

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) — Organizations across Montgomery County are coming together to support people impacted by the shutdown. A government shutdown resource event is being held at Gaithersburg High School on Friday evening.

DC News Now spoke with the two women responsible for putting it together. They say it’s simply about being there for their neighbors in a time of need.

“We know that last time there was a shutdown that families actually really did suffer tangible losses and were struggling to meet their basic needs,” event organizer Tiffany Kelly said. “So, myself and Valarie Davis, another community organizer, we decided to take matters into our hands and begin to organize and mobilize a proactive measure to begin to address the needs that we know families will have.”

Kelly and Davis were moved to host the event because Kelly is a federal worker who has been affected herself.

“I began to think about what would happen if I were furloughed,” Kelly said, “and as a person with a background in serving community needs, making sure people get what they need, I knew now it was my time.”

There will be numerous resources available at the event for federal workers and their families.

“Resources for health care,” Davis said. “RideOn will be here talking about free transportation. We’ll be talking about things like unemployment insurance.”

Davis and Kelly say they’ve designed the event to provide dignity, connection, and practical help all in one space.

“This is not a moment,” Davis said, “this is a movement. We are making a shift toward people, power, not empowerment, but power that we’re not going back on. We don’t have to be afraid in this moment.”

They say during challenging times like this, community members must stick together.

“It’s going to get scary,” Kelly said, “but we can withstand the storm if we rely on each other and really begin to shift how we lead.”

The event will take place from 7 to 9 p.m., and it’s free and open to everyone.