Our Programs
The goal of our program is to help participants identify their power and abilities that have gone untapped, while at the same time providing or reinforcing key life skills.
Our program promotes and supports healthy, caring and responsible behaviors. Through our program participants become aware of alternatives to engaging in problem/risky behavior and are provided tools to equip themselves for successful and healthy living.
Programs
Safe Summer Initiatives
Summer Health Fair Kick Off- This event is usually daylong event that used to celebrate the kick-off of the summer in the Ward 8 Community and our Summer Youth Enrichment Program. This event brings together local community talent, health professionals, residents and vendors to create a community health fair carnival. This event is free to the community and offers safe fun in the sun for all ages.
Life Skill Coaching- A part of our six-week Summer Youth Enrichment Program, participants builds skill in workforce readiness training, basic life survival skills and college preparedness. Through our coaching, participants walk away with personal portfolios that include: resumes, cover letter, letters of recommendation and college essay statements. Participants complete the program with understanding of their current strengths and areas for improvement, promising practices for college acceptance, best practices for finding and keeping a job and key interviewing skills.
Music Enrichment Program- A part of our six-week Summer Youth Enrichment Program, participants enroll in one of three musicology offerings: percussion, dance or studio engineering. Realizing new found abilities many participants walk away with a stronger sense of confidence, appreciation for team work and having learned more creative ways to express themselves and channel their energy. Our music program has led to the development of a full scale drum line with band dancers.
Summer Free Lunch Program- A part of our six-week Summer Youth Enrichment Program, we provide free meals Monday through Friday to participants in our program as well as to community members. Meals are provided to over 150 individuals, mostly children and youth in Ward 8.
HIV/AID’s Initiatives
Ujime Eshe Program- In partnership with Inner Light Inc., We implement a four-part HIV/AIDs awareness and prevention curriculum. Enrolling 45 participants to participate as a class over six month time-frame participants learn in depth information about prevention, screening, and behavior change. Our program offers both HIV 101 and advanced level information on the virus and disease, prevention, disclosure, behavior change, and sexual health empowerment.
Monthly Onsite Testing- Partnering with several community based organizations we offer discrete monthly testing to the public and to participants in each of other programs. Testing is free and usual offered with incentives of a meal or gift card.
World AIDs Day Program- On December 1st of each year, the National Institute of Health brings awareness to HIV/AIDs and remembers those who lost their lives to the epidemic. In partnership with several faith base and Community based organizations, we produce one of DC’s renown World AID’s Day breakfast’s. The Breakfast is filled with prayers, food and HIV testing. Several testimonies are shared and keynote speakers are brought from various DC government agencies and organizations.
Condom and Prevention Literature Distribution- Throughout the year safer sex kits are created and distributed at each of our events and to several organizations in the community. Over 3000 are distributed yearly in an effort to promote safe sex.
Community Development Initiatives
Financial Literacy Seminars- Semi-annual we offer financial literacy to members of the local community. In an effort to eradicate poverty, we have offered courses on credit repair, financial management and estate planning.
Feeding Programs- Throughout the year we offer nutritional educational sessions and distribute food baskets to members of the local community. Key distributions happen during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons and weekends during the summer.
