Our Approach

We believe reform is not enough on its own. An education revolution rethinks the foundation, redefining what schools are for, who they serve, and how they prepare young people for a rapidly changing world. Reform must work alongside revolutionary practices to create lasting transformation.

The future of education and youth justice rests in the strength of communities filled with love, purpose, and determination to guide every child toward possibility.

CARE DC is a movement dedicated to dismantling systemic racism in public education by partnering with schools in communities long impacted by structural inequities and disinvestment. Through a grassroots, chapter-based model, we build bridges between educators, families, neighbors and community resources. We strengthen equity, advocacy, and access to ensuring every child’s brilliance and dreams can thrive. Our vision centers on healing from racial injustice and creating united, well-resourced schools that cultivate economic mobility and radical possibilities for Black and Brown youth.

The way schools operate today shapes the justice we will see tomorrow; centering community as the catalyst for transformation is the most powerful path forward.

Chapters:

CARE DC is a movement.

What does that mean?

We are more than an organization:

Organizations are top-down. They lose the voice of the people. Change is driven by policies, programs, and leaders within formal institutions.  

Focuses on efficiency and compliance within existing systems. They do not build, they address symptoms (e.g., test scores, funding formulas).  

Solutions are often designed by experts outside the community. Change is piecemeal. Typically, any reform is vulnerable to shifts in leadership.  

We are more than an interest group:

Interest groups are too narrow. They focus on one thing to the detriment of all other concerns. They depend on established institutions for change.  

Interest groups dilute the voices of the community. Instead of amplifying, interest groups distort voices to make deals with those in power.

Solutions are still designed by experts outside the community. Authenticity is sacrificed for access to networks, capital, and power.  

We are a grassroots movement.

We approach change differently. We recognize that those closest to the challenges are closest to the solutions. We build safe, joyful, healing-centered spaces where families reclaim power and challenge inequities.

We work to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline, build economic mobility, and increase civic efficacy. Through our programs, Hopes and Dreams, Power Our Schools, and the Educators Advancement Team (EAT), we empower our communities to make change for themselves.

CARE DC builds long-term power by nurturing a pipeline of community justice leaders and networks of family advocates. We build community and accessibility via our CARE DC ensures accessibility family-style meals, childcare, and open meetings.  

  • Family-style Meals

    Nourish the Soul

    We provide family-style meals at our school meetings to build community, share meals, and foster comfort, care, and connectedness that deepen awareness and belonging.

  • Strategic Formula

    Assemble, Address, Act

    Assemble, Address, Act is our strategic formula stretched across the school year—building trust in the fall, naming and tackling issues in the winter, and acting together in the spring—so our community moves forward with intention and strength.

  • Childcare

    Foundational Support

    We provide childcare at our school meetings so families can focus fully on the conversation, build camaraderie, and access the information and community support they deserve.

  • Economic Justice

    This is the first dollar made from a neighborhood yard sale for our Anacostia schools. We make economic justice, driven by the community, for our schools.