About Us

MCS in the News

MCS' programs have featured prominently in the media since the organization's inception. The Washington Post, Washington Hispanic, and El Tiempo Latino are just a few of the publications in which MCS has been recognized for its achievements in the areas of parent involvement, language access, youth development, and community leadership. To view media articles about MCS and its programs, click here.

Our History

MCS was founded in 1997 by a group of concerned Washington DC residents who came together to ponder how best to build on the strength of the city's diversity. Since its founding, MCS has grown into a strong and stable organization, recognized for its effective research-based programs, commitment to the community, ability to reach and provide services to marginalized groups, and capacity to equally serve various segments and sectors of Washington's diverse population and professional community. In 2006, MCS was chosen by the US Department of Education to establish Washington DC's Parent Information Resource Center (DC PIRC), thus becoming DC's only organization to serve that function, along with 50 others like it, one in each state.

Our Location

MCS is located in the historic Renaissance Revival home, "The Meridian Hill House," built in 1927 and known as the Josephine Butler Parks Center, Washington's Greenhouse for Community Revitalization & Living Museum of Parks & People. Visit http://www.washingtonparks.net/ to learn more.  MCS is a "Cool Partner" committed to promoting participation in the challenge to "reduce MCS's carbon footprint."

Our Community

The MCS community includes all of Washington DC, with special attention to Ward 1, the organization's home. MCS seeks to build communities with equal opportunity and access to services.

Our Organizational Strengths

MCS is unique among Washington DC organizations in that its primary focus is bringing together diverse communities rather than serving one demographic group. Among the organization's specific strengths are the following:

• MCS has earned the respect and trust of the community through its effective programs and successful outreach, which is known to serve those who are hard-to-reach through a commitment to one-on-one contact.
• MCS board and staff members are multicultural and reflect the diversity of the communities MCS serves. They also live and work in Washington DC and are thus able to reach as neighbors and friends those who are isolated or marginalized.
• Through its interpretation and translation services, MCS is able to reach community members in 21 languages, uniquely enabling it to interact with the community in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.
• MCS is progressive and cutting-edge, basing its programs on current academic research and utilizing the latest technology for simultaneous interpretation on the UN model.

Disclosures

Copies of the Multicultural Community Service's IRS form 990s are available through www.guidestar.org.  To receive a copy of the organization's audited financial statements or other information regarding governance such as a copy of our conflict of interest policy, please send in your request by email to info@mcsdc.org.