We heard from Guita Irani, one of the leaders of Children of Persia, a nonprofit charity based in Montgomery Village devoted to disaster relief and educational programs in Iran. The group works closely with nongovernmental organizations inside and outside of Iran on a variety of projects. In the last 20 years, the group has supported projects in health, education, training, and housing. The group has a challenging mission, especially with the current sanctions on trade and financial services, but it has had considerable success.

We heard from Amy Ginsburg of the Friends of White Flint for updates on their activities and the redevelopment of the White Flint area. Amy discussed a number of current issues in the area:

• The Pike and Rose development project is continuing to build out the area around Montrose Road and Rockville Pike.
• Several projects are on hold pending funding. The delays have had an impact on community projects such as parks, bike lanes, and other improvements.
• Legal disputes at White Flint Mall have been resolved, but the long-term prospects for the site are unknown.
• School renovations and expansions are also in a state of flux, with plans for a new high school dependent on moving other schools.

On April 26, our speaker was Agnes Leshner, recently retired director of the Montgomery County Welfare Services, a position she has held for more than 25 years. She is on the Board of Directors of 4 Montgomery’s Kids and other nonprofit organizations in Montgomery County. 4 Montgomery’s Kids provides a vital service for families involved in child welfare services, with small grants for camps, school supplies, and other important items not covered by grant programs.
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