M.O.M.I.E'S Programs

Currently, M.O.M.I.E's implements the following programs throughout the year:

The After School Program

The After School Program provides a safe and structured learning environment for 25 to 30 low-income children. Children learn positive life skills through daily meditation and self-reflection exercises, and participate in structured recreational activities like sports, dance, and arts and crafts. Through a “Great Persons” curriculum that integrates Black history, culture, and the creative arts, the Program incorporates hands-on activities that reinforce literacy and foster civic engagement. The Great Persons curricula is a series of humanities and arts-based lessons that highlight minority history and culture – lessons not often addressed in the school environment. The Series “brings history to life” in a nontraditional manner by combining discussion, participation, sharing, and the creative arts. Additionally, the After School Program conducts monthly teacher meetings, weekly staff and parent assessments, and individual learning plans contribute to M.O.M.I.E’s comprehensive approach to addressing our children's needs and strengths. Currently, the After School Program is based in Wards 1 and 4.

The Safe Haven Summer Camp

The Safe Haven Summer Camp engages 20-30 children, Pre-K through second, in a safe and nurturing learning environment where they are involved in daylong recreation and artistic activities. The Camp offers unique opportunities not normally afforded to low-income children at their homes or schools. Most recently, activities included African Drumming, African story-telling, gardening, sports and fitness, and exciting fieldtrips in the city.

Parent and Community Involvement and Advocacy



An important component of M.O.M.I.E.’s educational strategy is the involvement and participation of parents, families, and friends in children’s learning.  Program staff are in consistent communication with parents about their child’s performance, seek recommendations about their needs, and work collectively in individualizing each child’s learning plan.  Staff members also provide weekly updates about their child’s academics, and recommend supplemental learning resources they can incorporate at home.  M.O.M.I.E’s also partnered with Empower DC, a community organizing organization, during the Child Care for all Campaign, an effort to increase access to quality, affordable child care for all DC families.  Through this partnership, parents participated in advocacy and organizing trainings while children participated in educational activities around empowerment and social change. Currently, M.O.M.I.E's parents are involved in developing Program activities, participate in the Advisory Board, and help to plan special events.

Children’s Gallery of Black History

Every February, the Great Persons Series culminates in the Children’s Gallery of Black History, a week-long, interactive gallery dedicated to Black history and culture. The Gallery is designed to impact larger numbers of children and families living in the metropolitan area, and specifically addresses the need for a more effective way to teach Black history to children. The Gallery was conceived in response to the lack of child-friendly museums designed to teach history through interactive and participatory learning. In 2007, over 550 people visited the week-long Gallery event, and it is growing every year. Click here to learn more about the 2008 Children's Gallery of Black History.

Children's Mobile Gallery Initiative

M.O.M.I.E’s recently launched a “mobile” component to our annual Black History Gallery event to impact more children and families in DC year-round.  Gallery events take place at various venues like the Black Family Reunion, Dance Afrika, and at community-based settings like schools, churches, and youth centers. Contact Kendolyn Cooper at 202.248.8361 to learn how you can bring the Gallery experience to your school, library, church, or community event!

Children's Black History Calendar

Every year, the children are involved in creating the Children’s Black History Calendar. The Calendar builds on the “Great Persons Series” from the After School Program. For the calendar project, children involved in the After School Program select and draw their favorite “Great Person,” and write about why he/she is important to them. The children’s drawings are then submitted to M.O.M.I.E’s Advisory Board for final selection. Children enjoy this opportunity to showcase what they have learned through the Great Persons Series by displaying their artistic talents. Click here to order your calendar today!

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