Today Children of Mine (COMYC) is celebrating two exceptional youth. For 40 years, COMYC has been a staple in the Anacostia neighborhood in Washington DC, providing a safe space for children. The challenges that exist in the Anacostia neighborhood are well documented. However, the portion of the positive activities of youth in Anacostia often goes unrecognized. So today, we are recognizing two exceptional young ladies who are world changers in the making. Both young ladies are graduating from their respective high schools and heading to college. Today we celebrate Morgan Graham and Japan Spells.
Open House Morgan
Morgan Graduation
Morgan Graham
Morgan “Morgs” Graham came to COMYC at the age of four. We have watched her grow into an exceptional young lady. Morgan is a skilled orator, insightful thinker, and activist. Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser mentioned the impact of the activism of the class of 2022 Benjamin Banneker that pushed the city to build a better facility. Morgan was one of those activists as she is a class of 2022 graduate of Benjamin Banneker High School; she is headed to Jackson State University (HBCU). ” The Center has impacted my life in so many positive ways I cannot begin to number,” says Morgan when asked about the Center’s influence on her life.
Japan Spells
Japan “JP” Spells came to COMYC at the age of eleven. Japan is the Center’s unofficial recorder. Japan records and can recall quotes from the talk whenever a subject matter is important. Japan is a shy creative with an exceptional oratory and theatrical talent because she is so dramatic. Moreover, Japan is an award-winning athlete and one of the top students in her Anacostia Senior High School graduating class. “The Center has and continues to have a massive impact on my life because I’ve learned so much, and it has become my family,” says Japan. This fall Japan will start as a MPD cadet while pursuing her degree in criminal justice.
The goal of COMYC’s mission is to support youth and their families’ success to become exceptional individuals. The staff and volunteers have witnessed the outstanding individuals in Morgan and Japan. They are caring, compassionate, thoughtful, and fierce defenders of what is right. As an organization, we could not be more proud to be a part of the story of two great people.
A note of thanks
Thank you to the parents, Kenya & Doni, for trusting us with your children. We count it an honor and a privilege to be a part of the village. To our donors, supporters and volunteers, thank you for your support because you make this possible. Your generous support makes it possible for Children of Mine to provide youth enrichment, summer camp, and support through college or career. If you are interested in supporting youth K through College, click here to get involved
The Starbucks Foundation has awarded $1.5 million to more than 400 nonprofits, nominated by partners, which are stretching to meet the rising need during COVID-19, particularly in the BIPOC communities. Children of Mine Youth Center was one of the three non-profits spotlighted.
Where: 2263 Mapleview Place SE Washington, D.C., 20020
Requirement – Licensed Driver with a good driving record
How Often: The volunteer serves once a month for two hours
Date: The third Saturday of every month
Service Time: The volunteer operational hours 7:00 am – 9:00 am
Duties: The volunteer will shuttle our clients from the 801 Shelter on the Saint Elizabeth’s grounds. The round trip between The Community Breakfast is less than two miles. Our vehicle is a 15 passenger van to accomadate our guests.
About The Program:
Every third Saturday of each month COMYC holds The Community Breakfast. We provide breakfast, hygiene products, and haircuts to vulnerable individuals in the Anacostia community. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Howie via email. enhowie@childrenofminedc.org or click here
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A call went out to the Fire Department that a massive fire was consuming a multiplex apartment building. Inside the firehouse, the alarm sounds, and the firefighters spring into action. The mad rush to the vehicle starts, and the team assembles, the sirens begin, the firehouse door opens, and off they go. Within minutes, the firefighters are on-site, and what they see shocks them.
Bucket of Water
Why Are You Watching?
First, the fire was not as big as was reported, and they were hundreds of people outside of the building. The fire battalion chief screams at the crowd of people, “Why are all of you just standing here watching it burn!” What shocked and angered the firefighters was all of the bystanders all had a bucket of water beside them. Someone from the bystanders said, ” we were waiting for you because fighting fires is your job, not ours.” Yes, the battalion chief said, ” it is our job, but you all have water, and the fire could’ve done significantly less damage or been out if you all would’ve used what you have. Why watch it burn? GET YOUR BUCKET AND GO!”
Do you smell the smoke? Can you see the flames? What are you going to do with your bucket of water? The moral of the story is this, the problems are not black, and because they are so multifaceted, it is hard to narrow down to one specific issue. There is poverty, lack of education, lack of opportunity, mental health issues, and the broken culture of conflict resolution that contribute nicely to the flames. Think about it, there has been no mention race or bias added to the mix.
Warning sign with fire symbol
Too Many Combustibles
The issues of the community are superb combinations of the fire triangle. Do you remember when we learned oxygen, fuel, and a heat source makes a fire? You can pick any of the ingredients mentioned above, and we have ourselves a fire. Our communities are burning to the ground with violence and hopelessness. The inferno is spreading because we are failing to contain it.
Do you want a better future?
Bill Gates puts it this way ” Until we’re educating every child in a fantastic way until every inner city is cleaned up, there is no shortage of things to do.”You see, there is no shortage of things to do, just a shortage of people who are willing to do them. In a recent talk with an organization named Give2Get, I shared with them that we will never enjoy the world that is possible without personal investment. Everybody wants a better future for their children and even for themselves. Right? At least that’s what everybody says because we all believe it in theory. The theory of a better world is perfect, but theoretical musings will not cut it. The world will not get better because of great ideas that never turn into action.
Stop Doing Things That Don’t Work
Violence prevention in the inner city is filled with strategies that don’t work. Let me say this clearly Marching doesn’t work, candlelight vigils don’t work, eulogies don’t work, police parked on corners do not work. The numbers back it up, the previous strategies have made almost no impact. According to Metropolitan Police statistics, 3,459 people have been murdered since 1999. That’s 5% of the population of Washington, D.C. that have lost their lives, and we cannot continue to do what history proves does not work.
The Past Holds The Key
When we perform an examination of the past, it can lead us to a long term solution. Because of the clear identification of the problem will help us find the cure. Ghanian born writer Ernest Yeboah writes, ” When we think carefully about the past, we get to know and understand not just what happened in the past but what really went into things that happened in the past.”What is the root cause of the events that contribute to homicides? According to DCPD data, its arguments and disagreements. The inability or unwillingness to resolve difficulties without violence is the leading contributor to the killings. When disputes are the cause, we can now ask how does a march, rally, vigil, eulogy, or police parked in the neighborhood work as a solution? The issue is we are treating an internal problem with a topical solution. In other words, we are treating appendicitis with vaseline on the stomach.
Here is The Takeaway
As a city, we must come face to face with the truth that we have taught our kids to resolve issues through violence. Now, the method of resolution is the same, but the means are different. In an attempt to fix the problem, we must grow violence out of our community by teaching children conflict resolution through deescalation. Will it work? There is no real way to know until we try conflict resolution with children through adulthood with the same commitment as marches and the like.
Courage showed up in the form of a picture. On Saturday, May, 11th, Washington D.C. held what is called the D.C. Funk Parade. What is Funk Parade? Well according to the website www.funkparade.com it is described as a one-of-a-kind day fair, parade, and music festival, celebrating Washington DC’s vibrant music and arts, the U Street neighborhood, and the Spirit of Funk that brings us all together.
A Few Years Ago
A few years ago we met Abdur Rahim Muhammad founder of the Hung Tao Choi Mei Leadership Institute. Over the last few years, Mr. Muhammad and his team have been teaching Kung Fu, African Drumming and DPance at the Center. For a year now the students have been preparing for the Funk Parade.
Courage In Action
There is a difference between practicing to perform versus performing. In most cases, when you are preparing it is a comfortable environment because everyone is learning and the only criticism is constructive. However, performing is a different animal because it is uncomfortable. It takes courage to do what makes you uncomfortable. The pictures from the Funk Festival are pictures of courage in action. I want to say well done to the young ladies and gentleman from the Children of Mine Youth Center. The children did something that many adults are afraid to do; they stood flat-footed and delivered. Courage in action, check out the moves.
For more information about Children of Mine Youth Center click here
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