WASHINGTON, DC, January 02, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Across the year, the Founding Church of Scientology of Washington, DC, served as a consistent convening point—hosting Open Houses, public seminars, cultural events, and trainings; supporting major outreach actions across the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia; and amplifying solutions through long-running initiatives sponsored by the Church of Scientology: The Way to Happiness, Foundation for a Drug-Free World, United for Human Rights/Youth for Human Rights, Scientology Volunteer Ministers, and Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR).

The year also marked a historic milestone: the Founding Church of Scientology's 70th anniversary, commemorating its establishment in the nation's capital on July 4, 1955. In recognition of that legacy and ongoing community impact, the Founding Church of Scientology of Washington, DC, received a special honor: a United States flag flown over the U.S. Capitol, awarded through Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, commemorating the church's 70 years of spiritual service and civic engagement in Washington.

What follows is a year-end look at the highlights of 2025—and a clear, positive direction for what 2026 will bring.

A 70-Year Legacy in the Nation's Capital—Celebrated, Renewed, and Recognized

On July 4–5, 2025, the Founding Church marked 70 years in Washington, DC, with historic tours, commemorative briefings, and a community gathering at the Fraser Mansion, home of the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office.

The anniversary weekend took attendees through the key addresses where Scientology's early DC history took shape—locations tied to L. Ron Hubbard's research, writing, and lectures. Speakers underscored a consistent theme: the Founding Church's role has never been only historical. It has been—and remains—a launch point for solutions intended to uplift society.

That continuity was powerfully symbolized by the Capitol-flown U.S. flag, presented on behalf of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton in recognition of the Founding Church of Scientology's 70th anniversary—a uniquely Washington honor reflecting both permanence and public purpose.

Public Education That Met the Moment—Drugs, Rights, Ethics, and the Mind

Drug-Free World: Prevention at Scale, From Stadium Outreach to Educator Conventions

The Foundation for a Drug-Free World's footprint expanded across the District and region in 2025—through direct-to-community distribution, professional education outreach, and issue-specific public programs.

Audi Field (June 23): Drug-Free World DC volunteers distributed 956 Truth About Drugs booklets during the RB Salzburg vs. Al-Hilal international match, bringing prevention education directly to thousands of attendees.

International Anti-Drug Day Open House (June 27): Hosted just blocks from the White House, this open house convened community leaders, law enforcement, nonprofit professionals, and residents around prevention education—especially regarding marijuana. Attendees received practical tools to communicate the risks of drug use and expand peer-to-peer education.

Red Ribbon Week (October): A major highlight was the "Truth About Marijuana" open house, featuring prevention expert Will Jones III, who addressed marijuana marketing, rising THC potency, misconceptions around "medical marijuana," and practical strategies for prevention.

Community Presence: Drug-Free World DC participated in community events including the Vida Senior Centers Community Health Fair, local outreach actions, and collaborative engagements that placed prevention materials into the hands of families, educators, and civic leaders.

Educator Expansion in Virginia and Maryland (November):
At the Virginia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance Convention in Virginia Beach, Truth About Drugs teams reached 50 educators, distributed 45 educator kits, and placed booklets—including Truth About Fentanyl—into classrooms.

At the Society of Health and Physical Educators [SHAPE] Maryland's Convention in Ocean City, teams reached 53 educators and students, distributed 752 booklets, and generated 35 new educator kit requests.

Across these efforts, a consistent message guided the year: education works when it is factual, accessible, and delivered at the point of impact—in stadium crowds, school networks, and everyday community settings.

Human Rights: From Mandela Day to the International Day of Peace and Human Rights Day

2025 saw sustained human rights education actions that connected global principles to local realities.

Mandela Day Open House: The Church of Scientology hosted an open house focused on awareness of human rights abuses affecting youth and families in Washington, DC, and introduced visitors to the full toolkit of United for Human Rights and Youth for Human Rights educational resources.

International Day of Peace (September): Youth for Human Rights DC convened a Peace Walk beginning at the Lincoln Memorial and continuing along the National Mall, joined by organizations and community partners. The day concluded with an open house at the Founding Church of Scientology where guests toured exhibits, watched public service announcements, and engaged in a program emphasizing peace through rights education.

Human Rights Day (December 10): The Human Rights Day open house gathered advocates, educators, and community guests for education and dialogue, including a guided exhibit tour on the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and a film screening aligning themes of dignity and identity with real-world action.
This year's human rights work carried a consistent principle: rights are not merely ideals—they become real when communities are educated and mobilized to defend them.

The Way to Happiness: Ethics-Based Solutions and Community Renewal

From World Environment Day to World Kindness Day and continuing outreach actions at key public locations, The Way to Happiness stood as one of the year's most visible—and measurable—community initiatives.

World Environment Day Open House (June 5): The open house connected environmental stewardship to ethics and personal responsibility, emphasizing that lasting improvement in society includes moral renewal.

Friendship Day Open House: The Church of Scientology hosted a program focused on friendship, ethics, and community cohesion—featuring recognition presented on behalf of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton to Thalia Ghiglia for drug education outreach efforts.

World Kindness Day Open House (November): The program highlighted the role of kindness and moral responsibility as active forces for community improvement, citing encouraging declines in violent crime and homicides.

Large-Scale Booklet Distribution: Throughout 2025, The Way to Happiness campaign in the District continued extensive distribution and mailing efforts—placing hundreds of thousands of booklets into homes and hands across Washington, DC, reinforcing a values-based roadmap for daily living.

The year's recurring emphasis was simple: ethical living is not abstract—it's practical, teachable, and contagious.

CCHR and Mental Health Human Rights: Major Wins, Public Exhibits, and Global Awareness

CCHR's work in 2025 moved on multiple fronts: legislative awareness, public education, and direct engagement with civic audiences.

Maryland Youth Rights Win (May): CCHR highlighted the passage of the Preventing Abduction in Youth Transport Act of 2025, signed into law May 6, placing restrictions on abusive practices tied to the troubled teen transport sector.

CCHR Mobile Exhibit in Annapolis: Over Memorial Day Weekend, the exhibit brought attention to coercive and harmful practices and the importance of safeguarding youth rights through enforceable protections.

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Legislative Conference: CCHR's "Industry of Death" exhibit reached elected officials, civic leaders, and attendees nationwide—sparking conversations about coercive psychiatric practices and reforms aligned with international human rights standards.

World Mental Health Day Open House (October 10): The Church of Scientology hosted an open house spotlighting coercive practices, accountability, and informed consent—reinforcing the message that true mental health must include human rights.

Prescription for Violence Documentary (December 9): CCHR's documentary Prescription for Violence: Psychiatry's Deadly Side Effects premiered on Scientology Network, expanding public awareness on the topic and directing viewers to resources for further education.

Across all of these events, the through line remained clear: mental health and human dignity cannot be separated.

Help in Action: Volunteer Ministers on the National Mall and Beyond

In 2025, the Scientology Volunteer Ministers continued to model practical help—visible, approachable, and immediate.

With the signature yellow tent set up near the U.S. Capitol, Volunteer Ministers engaged tourists, families, and residents—offering basic assistance, demonstrations of life tools, and access to free courses designed to improve communication, resolve conflict, and navigate everyday challenges.

Their motto—"Something can be done about it"—was not presented as a slogan, but as a lived practice in the heart of the nation's capital.

Culture, Community, and the Arts: A Year of Expression and Recognition

The Church of Scientology's spaces and programs also elevated arts and culture as essential to human flourishing.

Washington International Piano Arts Council 25th Annual Piano Tournament: Hosted at the Church of Scientology, the event celebrated musical talent and freedom of expression, bringing together performers, judges, and guests for a milestone year.

Scientology Network Community Premieres: The Founding Church of Scientology hosted premiere events for Meet a Scientologist (Bill and Virginia Watson) and Voices for Humanity (Isabelle Vladoiu), pairing screenings with live Q&As and community dialogue.

Addressing Stress and Personal Growth: Seminars, Lectures, and Mobile Outreach
Washington is a high-pressure city—and 2025 saw multiple actions aimed at helping individuals strengthen clarity, resilience, and self-determinism.

Subconscious Mind Seminars and Expanded Lecture Schedule: With strong attendance and demand, "The Power of the Subconscious Mind" expanded to more frequent offerings, drawing community members seeking practical tools for confidence and control.

Purification Rundown Seminar (October): A community health seminar explored detoxification, vitality, and well being, bringing guests into dialogue about how individuals can reclaim energy and improve quality of life.

Dianetics Public Visibility: DC's bus campaign asking, "Can buried memories trigger stress?" prompted citywide conversation about stress, trauma, and solutions.

Dianetics Truck Launch (November 30): The new mobile outreach truck began deploying across DC, offering free stress tests and practical introductions to Dianetics—bringing help directly into public spaces.

Closing the Year With Meaning: Christmas and New Year's as Renewal

The year closed with programming centered on timeless themes: light in darkness, goodwill, reflection, and renewal.

The Church of Scientology's Christmas message explored the historic roots of the holiday and emphasized goodwill through personal responsibility and care for others.

The New Year's Eve Open House invited community members to step into the new year with purpose—offering practical materials, warm hospitality, and a space for reflection throughout the day on December 31.

A Positive Outlook for 2026: Expansion, Partnerships, and Measurable Community Impact

2026 is positioned as a year of greater reach and tighter follow-through—building on 2025's visibility with deeper partnerships and broader public access.

Key 2026 priorities include:

1) Expanding Prevention Education Across the Metropolitan DC area
Drug-Free World will continue scaling educator outreach while increasing community open houses and targeted prevention events, especially on emerging threats like fentanyl and high-potency THC products.

2) Human Rights Education with Clear Benchmarks
Youth for Human Rights and United for Human Rights will expand partnerships with schools, civic organizations, youth groups, and community leaders, driving wider distribution of educator resources and more public-facing events like peace walks, trainings, and awareness campaigns.

3) Moral Renewal Through The Way to Happiness
The Way to Happiness distribution and training strategy will deepen, pairing booklet distribution with more structured engagements (schools, nonprofits, community groups, correctional settings) so that ethics education becomes not only widespread but applied.

4) CCHR Advocacy and Public Awareness
CCHR will build on legislative momentum and public exhibits, continuing to bring truth, documentation, and reform solutions to lawmakers, community stakeholders, and families impacted by coercive psychiatric practices.

5) Meeting People Where They Are: Mobile Help and Public Presence
The Dianetics Truck and Volunteer Ministers will expand deployments—showing up at community events, public corridors, and civic spaces where people already gather—delivering practical help with immediacy and humanity.

6) Strengthening the Cultural Bridge through Arts and Community Events
More collaborations like cultural events, community screenings, and arts recognition events will continue—because thriving communities need not only services, but inspiration, beauty, and meaningful connection.

A Final Word on 2025—and the Flag That Signals What Comes Next

A year can be measured in numbers—booklets distributed, educators reached, open houses hosted, partnerships formed—but the deeper measurement is impact: the moment someone learns something that changes their choices, the moment a community partner finds tools that strengthen their work, the moment a visitor walks in curious and leaves empowered.

In a city as consequential as Washington, DC, the Founding Church of Scientology's mission remains steady: to help individuals, strengthen communities, and advance solutions that restore sanity, dignity, and hope.

The U.S. flag flown over the Capitol, presented through Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton in honor of the Founding Church of Scientology's 70th anniversary, stands as both recognition and responsibility: a symbol that 2025 was not an endpoint—but a platform.

Chas Smith, the External Affairs Director said, "2026 now opens with a clear message carried across every initiative named above:
Something can be done about it—and we intend to do more."

The Church of Scientology National Affairs Office represents the Church in the Nation's Capital and works with many organizations to improve human rights, criminal law reform, drug education, and religious freedom internationally.

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