Family Engagement
Our Parent Leadership Programs promote the leadership of caregivers within immigrant and refugee communities in DC. Our programs are culturally and linguistically responsive and seek to engage with parents long-term as they support their children's development and education. Since 2022/2023, we have focused our efforts on several key programs:
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Committed Families Program: through this 8-week program, caregivers of middle school and high school youth learn about the U.S. Education system, options for post-secondary education, advocacy strategies, socio-emotional development, and strategies for supporting their children's education journey. Most participants are caregivers of youth that are enrolled in our youth programming.
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Moms Circle: a four week program that provides parenting workshops and serves as a support group for moms of children birth to three years old. Participants also receive diapers and wet wipes on a monthly basis as part of our diaper distribution program.
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Diaper Distribution Program: since mid-2022, MLOV has provided close to 2,000 boxes of diapers and wet wipes for immigrant families.
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At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, MLOV supported two pilot childcare pods for 25 low-income immigrant and refugee families in Brightwood and Columbia Heights. Due to the protracted economic crisis, these families cannot afford childcare, diapers, wipes, and baby gear for their children (ages 0-3). It is challenging for our moms to access public and community support because they are undocumented or face language access barriers (most of the moms speak Spanish, with limited English proficiency). This pilot project is part of our larger early childcare program to mobilize families to advocate for early childhood education policy change within the District of Columbia.