Community Partners

SOC Nina Shapiro-Perl

From the Director

"In a world of uncertainty, insecurity, anonymity, and mean-spiritedness, our partner organizations create safe places where healing and connectedness become the norm rather than the exception. My students' films provide these wonderful community organizations with new ways of communicating their work using media they might otherwise not afford, while providing students with documentary filmmaking experience in the real world. It's a rich partnership in the truest sense of the word." - Nina Shapiro-Perl, Director, Community Voice Project

Alexandria Seaport Foundation (Fall 2008)

The Alexandria Seaport Foundation helps youth who are at risk. Through the building and use of wooden boats, the foundation works to turn their lives around.

Anacostia Community Museum (Spring 2010)

The Anacostia Community Museum's mission is to challenge, broaden, generate, and deepen what we know about 'community.' The museum maintains strong ties with the Anacostia and D.C. Metropolitan region.

Anacostia Watershed Society

The mission of the Anacostia Watershed Society is to protect and restore the Anacostia River and its watershed communities by cleaning the water, recovering the shores, and honoring the heritage. The vision is to make the Anacostia River and its tributaries swimmable and fishable, in keeping with the Clean Water Act, for the health and enjoyment of everyone in the community. Read more

Wider Circle

A Wider Circle (Spring 2011)

A Wider Circle provides beds, dressers, and other basic items to families moving out of shelters or living in neglected neighborhoods. It also runs after-school programs in low-income schools and teaches health and wellness classes at shelters and public housing facilities.

Brainfood (Fall 2008)

Brainfood is a non-profit in Washington, D.C. that works with youth using food as a tool to build life skills and promote healthy living.

Community Bridges (Fall 2009-Spring 2010)

"Community Bridges empowers diverse girls to become exceptional students, positive leaders, and healthy young women." -Community Bridges' mission statement

Community Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place (Fall 2009)

Community Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place works with the homeless and the formerly homeless adults of the Northwest area of D.C. to rebuild their lives with the help of the community.

DC Youth Orchestra Program (Fall 2009)

The DC Youth Orchestra Program accepts all students and provides them with music classes and ensemble training for those who wish to participate.

HIPS (Spring 2008)

"HIPS' mission is to assist female, male, and transgender individuals engaging in sex work in Washington, DC in leading healthy lives." -HIPS' mission statement

IMPACT Silver Spring (Fall 2008)

Founded in 1999, IMPACT Silver Spring is a community-building organization that works with the diversity of the community in raising their voices with regard to the redevelopment of downtown Silver Spring.

Martha's Table (Spring 2010)

Working to improve the lives of at-risk children, youth, families and individuals, Martha's Table provides supplies to better their situations.

Mentors of Minorities in Education Total Learning Cis-Tem (Spring 2008)

Mentors of Minorities in Education Total Learning Cis-Tem is a DC-based non-profit organization that works to nurture "the genius" of the children of the community.

Montgomery County Coalition for Adult English Literacy (Spring 2008)

"MCAEL is dedicated to strengthening the county-wide adult English literacy network with resources, training, collaborations and advocacy to support a thriving community and an optimal workforce." -MCAEL mission statement

Not In Our Town (Fall 2009-Spring 2010)

Beginning as a PBS documentary about a series of hate crimes in one Montana town, Not In Our Town has become a national movement that works to encourage and connect people who are responding to hate and to build more inclusive communities.

Prevent Human Trafficking (Spring 2008)

Washington, DC- based non-profit Prevent Human Trafficking works to prevent human trafficking in South East Asia.

Seafarers Yacht Club (Fall 2008)

Founded in 1960, the Seafarers Yacht Club of Annapolis, Inc. in addition to being a club for local boats men, provides swimming and boating safety lessons for children of the community.

Sitar Arts Center (Fall 2008)

Sitar Arts Center brings the community together by providing undeservered children and youth the opportunity to explore and study the visual and performing arts in safe afterschool environment.

St. Elizabeths Hospital (Fall 2009-Spring 2010)

Established in 1855, St. Elizabeths Hospital is a medical facility that provides to those in need of mental health assistance.

Unity in the Community (Fall 2009-Spring 2010)

It's the mission of Unity in the Community to promote a unified community, one with a cross-cultural understanding.

United Planning Organization

UPO Community action changes people's lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. The United Planning Organization cares about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other. Read more