The MJW Foundation, Inc.
an early childhood development fund
This initiative has Martha written all over it. During a candid conversation here's what was said.....
”sister, you just have to listen to the children, they will
tell you what they want, just truly listen to them”. ~ MJW
She believed in introducing cultural experiences in addition to classroom education into the lives of her children and their families to help them become all that they could be. Sometimes it was creative dance, or music, other times it was art and art history, and at other times it was simply recreational activities. Exposure was the key and that is the vision for our initiative.
Within our vision, we will align with other organizations to provide choice filled opportunities through MJWF partnership programs. We will “walk” with the selected children and their families, exposing them to cultural attractions, diverse sporting activities, provide an introduction into the arts, in all of its forms and provide necessary tutoring. We want to assist the child in identifying their passions, through which they will start to become aware of, explore and plan for their future.
We are partnering with organizations such as Swim, Swim, Swim I Say, The Bronx Museum of the Arts, Langston Hughes House and The Girl Scouts. We are in conversation with The Dance Theatre of Harlem, Lincoln Center, The Schomburg Museum, The Met, Gotham Stadium NYC and The Bronx Children's Museum, as we work to expand our partnerships.
We have an unyielding belief that every child can succeed!
~Live Through A Child's Smile~ SM
Graduating from pre-school is very exciting but it also brings along transformation, transition and change for our children. It represents a change in place, adjusting to a new peer group, a new role as student, new authority figures and new expectations.
Research studies reveal that children who have academic and social difficulties in the early school years are likely to continue having problems throughout their school careers and in their later lives. Thus the process of transition becomes a central issue that must be addressed.
The MJWF Bridge Packs were designed to help ease our children’s transition. Beginning a new phase with the proper tools is vital to the success of our young children. Crayons, composition books, rulers, scissors, cool pencils with even cooler erasers, are just some of the tools you’ll find in The MJWF Bridge Packs. We provide all of the school supplies our children need to feel confident as they approach their new role as a student.
As The MJW Foundation continues to grow, the number of children that will benefit from the MJWF Bridge-Packs will also grow. To date we have provided MJWF Bridge Packs to over 400 rising Kindergarteners.
“The children were thrilled with their supplies and it helped them to feel
prepared and ready for their transition to kindergarten”.
~ Ed Director, Leila Cooper
“I think the MJWF backpacks provided the children a wonderful sense of empowerment of their own education. Every morning I see one of my former students walking to school with his new backpack and proudly wearing it…as he holds his mother’s hand he seems happy and proud”.
~ Ed Director, June Glaze
“Parents and children are happy to have new things for their new school. This is a big help for families who are not able to buy the tools children
will need for their new school which accompany learning and having a
better education”.
~Parent
~Live Through A Child's Smile~ SM