By Katrina Avila
At Serve Your City/Ward 6 Mutual Aid (SYC/W6MA), our enduring mission remains steadfast: to ensure that Black and Brown youth and families across DC have access to the resources they need—resources that others already have. From after-school enrichment and tutoring programs to vital community support, SYC/W6MA has been instrumental in ensuring community safety and providing essential provisions to our neighbors. Our ongoing partnership with Christ United Methodist Church (CUMC) and collaboration with grassroots organizations serving Black and Brown communities are key contributors to these efforts.
SYC/W6MA is always seeking innovative ways to uplift our community, leading a variety of initiatives throughout the year. From distributing food to our neighbors to organizing supply drives for the youth we serve, these efforts are just a glimpse of the comprehensive support we provide. The unwavering donations and support from our community make these initiatives possible, and we deeply appreciate everyone who contributes to our cause.
Celebrating Our Youth: The Fifth Annual #WeKeepUsSafe Back-to-School Bash
Thanks to the dedication of our supporters and community partners, the Fifth Annual #WeKeepUsSafe Back-to-School Bash (B2SB) was a tremendous success! We distributed over 2,000 backpacks and 500 digital devices to Black and Brown students across all eight wards. The event, held at the end of August, was a joyous celebration filled with families, fun, and food as we kicked off the 2024-2025 school year. Your continued solidarity is crucial in ensuring that Black and Brown K-12 youth across DC have the tools and resources they need to succeed this school year. To learn more and contribute to providing these essential tools for a fantastic academic journey, please visit serveyourcitydc.org/b2sb.
Southwest Pod Closure and Continued Support
On August 28, SYC/W6MA’s Southwest (SW) Pod at CUMC officially closed. However, our commitment to the community continues. We will continue to provide essential supplies such as diapers and feminine hygiene products to CUMC and food to their 5000 Food Ministry, which will maintain its food distributions on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month at 2:00 p.m. at CUMC (900 4th St SW). Additionally, we will keep supporting the James Creek Resident Council by providing food, diapers, and feminine hygiene products on a monthly basis. We are immensely grateful for the generosity and assistance that have been pivotal to our partnership with CUMC, highlighting the strength of solidarity and mutual support in Southwest.
Support Our Work
Your financial contributions are essential to our continued efforts. When you donate online at bit.ly/sycw6ma-donate, you help us significantly increase our support for CUMC’s 5000 Food Ministry in addressing food access in Southwest. This allows us to obtain food from the Capital Area Food Bank, multiplying our impact compared to buying directly from stores.
Stay Connected
For the latest updates on our programs and efforts across DC, please visit serveyourcitydc.org.