2022-2023 DC Rotary Foundation Community Service Grant Awardees!

By Elise EganFriday, May 5, 2023

We are very pleased to announce that the Club’s and Foundation’s Boards at their April meetings have adopted the recommendations of the Community Service Grants Committee and awarded grants to the following organizations for projects in the DC area:

· An Open Book Foundation
· Anacostia Watershed Society
· Christ House
· City Blossoms
· DC Youth Orchestra Program (DCYOP)
· District Alliance for Safe Housing (DASH)
· The Family Place, Inc.
· Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop
· Hope and a Home
· Light The Way Foundation
· Prevention of Blindness Society of Metro Washington

· Resources to Inspire Students and Educators
· Right Beginnings, Inc.
· Salvation Army National Capital Area Command
· Street Sense Media
· Suited for Change
· Teens Run DC
· WANADA ADEI
· We Are Family Senior Outreach Network
· Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) of Metropolitan Washington

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Learn more about the Rotary Club of Washington, DC's service projects and activities.

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Originally the only staff member at WUDL, David Trigaux now oversees all of WUDL programming and its development efforts. He wears many hats around the WUDL, ranging from coach training and curriculum development to grant writing, volunteer management, and fundraising. He works with the Board to determine the strategic direction of the organization. Under his leadership, the
organization has grown from just over 100 students to serving thousands each year.

A former high school and college debater, David has coached debate for more than a decade. While he believes that the greatest benefits of debate aren’t tied to wins and losses, his students have achieved competitive success along the way, including many qualifiers and break-round participants at the Tournament of Champions, NFL/NSDA, NCFL, the UDNC, and UDL MS Nationals (6x time champs). He’s also coached a multinational team to an international title to the International Space Society’s spUN Debate Program. Many of David’s former students have been awarded college scholarships for debate.

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Ben Ali is an entrepreneur, community leader, and motivational speaker committed to elevating lives through business, advocacy, and empowerment. As a driving force behind the iconic Ben’s Chili Bowl, Ben’s Next Door, and Ben’s Chili Bowl Foundation, he has built on his family’s legacy while using his platform to uplift others. From expanding a historic business to working with nonprofits addressing gun violence and systemic challenges, his work reflects a deep commitment to progress, unity, responsibility, and self-determination.

Through his book ASCEND, speaking engagements, and mentorship, Ben is walking in his calling to challenge Black men to break detrimental generational cycles, reclaim excellence, and lead with purpose. His mission is clear: to help others rise beyond survival and ASCEND toward lasting wealth, wisdom, and legacy.

A native Washingtonian, Ben attended Shepherd Elementary and Georgetown Day School before heading to the University of Pennsylvania. For over 27 years, he has been married to Sonya Ali. Together, they have twins, Jaleel and Suraya. Sonya helps lead operations at Ben's Chili Bowl, and the Ali family's deep-rooted commitment to the city shines through their business and community engagement.

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