Community Development
Select a program area to explore
Arts-Infused
Wellness
A pilot initiative designed to strengthen the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of young children and early educators in small community-based child care centers in Washington, DC's Wards 7 and 8.
Our holistic wellness model integrates practices into early learning environments that serve families disproportionately impacted by health inequities and limited access to in-house therapeutic and arts-based services.
7 & 8Focus Area
Diaper
Giveaway
Access to diapers is not a luxury — it is a health necessity. Diaper need affects families across every ward in Washington, DC, creating barriers to childcare, workforce participation, and child well-being. SCF's Diaper Giveaway directly removes one of the most persistent and least-discussed hardships facing young families in our community.
By distributing diapers at no cost to families in need, SCF helps caregivers stay employed, keeps children in childcare, and signals that the community sees and supports the full reality of raising children.
Learn How to Participate →Why Diapers Matter
1 in 3 American families experiences diaper need. Without access, children face more infections, emotional distress, and missed childcare days — and parents miss work.
Who We Serve
Families with infants and toddlers across Washington, DC — especially those in Wards 7 and 8 who face the greatest barriers to basic supplies and childcare stability.
Fatherhood
Initiative
Fathers are not peripheral to a child's development — they are central to it. SCF's Fatherhood Initiative creates intentional space for fathers, male caregivers, and father figures to connect, grow, and show up fully in their children's lives and in their communities.
Through peer support, community events, and programming rooted in the realities of DC fathers, SCF builds the kind of connection that changes family outcomes across generations.
"When fathers are engaged, children thrive — in school, at home, and in community. SCF is committed to building the infrastructure that makes that engagement possible."
Maternal
Health
Washington, DC has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the country — and that crisis falls disproportionately on Black women in Wards 7 and 8. SCF's Maternal Health programming centers the lived experience of mothers and birthing people in our community, connecting them to resources, community, and care.
We believe that healthy children begin with supported mothers. Our work bridges the gap between clinical services and the community trust that makes those services accessible.
Find Support Resources →Our Approach
Community navigation and resource connection. Partnerships with trusted DC maternal health organizations. Creating space for mothers to find each other, share experiences, and access the support they need — before, during, and after birth.
Who We Work With
Pregnant women and new mothers across DC, with a focus on Wards 7 and 8. Partner organizations include community doulas, maternal health clinics, and family support providers serving Black and Brown mothers in the District.
Annual
Coat Drive
Every fall, SCF organizes a coat collection and distribution event that ensures children and families across DC have what they need to stay warm through the winter. Simple, direct, and deeply felt — the Coat Drive is one of SCF's most tangible expressions of community care.
For families already stretched thin, winter clothing can be an impossible expense. SCF removes that barrier entirely — no cost, no conditions, just community showing up for community.
Donate Coats →Why the Coat Drive Matters
Cold winters in DC create health risks for children without adequate outerwear — including school absences and increased illness
Winter clothing is a significant seasonal expense that strains already tight family budgets
Children who are warm and comfortable are better able to focus, play, and thrive
The Coat Drive builds community bonds — between donors, volunteers, and the families we serve
Donate or Volunteer
Coat donations accepted at SCF offices. Volunteers welcome for distribution events each fall.
Industry
Imagination Series
What a child can imagine, they can become. The Industry Imagination Series expands what's possible for children and young people in DC by connecting them directly to professionals, creatives, and leaders across industries — through site visits, panels, mentorship moments, and hands-on experiences.
When young people in Wards 7 and 8 see themselves reflected in a range of careers — in the arts, technology, business, healthcare, and beyond — their sense of possibility grows. That's the work.
Partner With Us →Industry Site Visits
Children and youth visit real workplaces — studios, labs, offices, and more — to see professionals in their element and ask real questions
Professional Panels
Community leaders and professionals share their paths, challenges, and wisdom with young people in an intimate, conversational format
Hands-On Experiences
Interactive workshops and learning moments that let children try, make, and discover — building confidence alongside imagination
Find What You Need
SCF's Resource Hub is a curated, regularly updated library for educators, families, and partners across Washington, DC. Scholarships, workforce opportunities, community resources, professional development, and tools — all in one place.
Explore the Resource Hub →Ready to invest in community?
From arts programming to workforce pathways, SCF is building what DC's early childhood ecosystem needs to thrive. There's a place for you in this work.