About
Washington East Foundation

History, Vision, Mission, Guilding Principles, Purposes, Proposed Program Initiatives

History

Washington, D.C. communities located east of the Anacostia River in Wards 6 East, 7, and 8 are rich in resilient people, breath-taking vistas, extraordinary civic pride, stable and well-maintained neighborhoods, and vast untapped human, economic, and political potential. But this is the story not told by some media and politicians who see this area only as having high concentrations of poverty, subsidized housing, poorly performing schools, and unemployment. East of the River's future is tied to its ability to link up with the rich resources, services, and rewards of the District of Columbia and the metropolitan region.

The Washington East Foundation, created in 1995 by five concerned residents from the Southeast community, envisions a safe, healthy, viable East of the River community that "comes together, works together, and succeeds together."

Vision

Making East of the River an outstanding place to live, rear children, do business, and visit is the Washington East Foundation's vision.

Mission

The Washington East Foundation is a nonprofit, tax exempt, operating, and grant making organization. It actively engages a broad cross section of residents and organizations in addressing community wide challenges and creating new opportunities East of the River to:

Attract new resources--funds, experts, and partners--to Ward 6 East, 7, and 8.
Operate and fund a limited number of projects aimed at achieving visible, measurable, and sustainable improvements in the quality of life East of the River.
Serve as program clearinghouse, a technical support resource center, and a coordinating catalyst for leveraging resources to expand and replicate successful programs East of the River.

Guiding Principles

Washington East Foundation's approach is community-driven assets based, research grounded, training centered, and partnership focused.

Purposes

Washington East Foundation exists to :

Present, promote, and market the multiple strengths and contributions found East of the River by funding and sponsoring programs and events.
Actively educate and engage residents, in public policy forums, so access to public and private resources is facilitated.
Sponsor demonstration projects and initiatives that inform residents and groups East of the River of how research can help change and make their lives and communities better places to live.
Operate and fund civic leadership training East of the River aimed at identifying, preparing, ad developing future leaders, ages 18-40, to help solve community problems.
Fund and operate a wide spectrum of empowerment programs promoting the productivity and self sufficiency of residents and organizations East of the River in the 21st century.

Proposed Program Initiatives

Washington East Assets Program: An ongoing project to identify and map individual community residents' assets and teaching community groups how to use them to strengthen communities.

Consortium for Community Stabilization, Image Building, and Economic Growth and Equity: Partners building community by making smart investments.

Project Generations: An inter-generational initiative connecting children, parents, families, and grandparents to save and produce new lives.

After Three: A year around after-school and summer camp program using nontraditional sports—hockey, figure skating, golf, soccer, and tennis—at existing or new community facilities to promote education, responsibility, and respect.

Washington East: A monthly, hour long, cable television show on public access channels promoting the multiple strengths and challenges facing East of the River communities to all Washington residents.

Youth Empowerment Collaborative in Entertainment, Recreation, and Culture: Youths using their talents and skills to produce income-generating events that provide safe, positive, and viable outcomes.

Civic Leadership Training institute: A permanent center focused on building and developing skills and expertise of residents and leaders of civic, church, school, and nonprofit groups.