Preparing Young Leaders
People who change the world need a place to start and the tools to do it. MCIP is dedicated to equipping young people with the knowledge, resources, and support they need to turn potential into power. Here, our students hone their skills, develop their voices, and find the inspiration to step boldly into the world and shape it. We’re not just preparing them to succeed—we’re preparing them to lead.
Five Pillars of MCIP
Empowering ALL Students
At Multicultural Career Intern Program (MCIP), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, our mission is to dismantle systemic barriers and ensure that every young person at CHEC has the tools and opportunities to reach their full potential. Until every student enjoys equitable access to life-changing educational experiences, MCIP remains unwavering in our commitment to leveling the playing field.
Strengthening Communities
We are dedicated to transforming lives through rigorous, evidence-based programs that empower the most underserved and underrepresented members of our community. We proudly serve first-generation college aspirants, immigrant families eager to assimilate, LGBTQ+ communities, and minorities striving to break barriers. Our mission is to build resilience, cultivate college readiness, and strengthen families—ensuring that parents become powerful advocates for their children’s education. We believe in the boundless potential within every student, every family, and every individual. Our comprehensive services are designed not just to meet immediate needs but to inspire lasting change. By providing the tools, support, and opportunities needed to overcome challenges and achieve dreams, we help build a future where everyone can thrive.
Community School Model
In partnership with CHEC, MCIP has embraced the community school model, transforming the school into a dynamic hub of resources and opportunities. A community school is more than just a place—it’s a powerful network that integrates academic achievement, health and social services, youth development, and community engagement. This holistic approach elevates student outcomes, strengthens families, and builds healthier, more resilient communities. Our schools are the beating heart of the neighborhood, offering a personalized, real-world curriculum and remaining open to all, every day, at any hour.
Serving all of D.C.
Annually, MCIP touches the lives of 2,900 young people and their families across the District. Our comprehensive services—ranging from reproductive health care and mental health counseling to legal assistance, tutoring, mentoring, college prep, and career development—are provided free of charge, confidentially, and all under one roof. We support our students in every facet of their lives, ensuring they have the resources to thrive.
Championing Student Voice
MCIP and CHEC believe that students should have a powerful voice in shaping their education. Too often, the individuals most affected by educational decisions are left unheard. At MCIP, we prioritize student agency, designing programs that honor their voices, celebrate their identities, and build on their strengths. We engage in meaningful, two-way conversations with our students, empowering them to take charge of their learning, influence the curriculum, and shape our initiatives.
Every Student, a Champion
Every day, MCIP stands alongside CHEC’s leadership, fiercely advocating for the brightest possible future for our students. With four decades of service behind us, we know who we are and what we do best—meeting students where they are and providing opportunities that truly matter. As Rita Pierson so eloquently said, “Every child deserves a champion—an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.” This belief fuels our work every day.
Expanding Our Reach:
MCIP is proud to extend our transformative mission beyond CHEC, forging impactful partnerships with Tubman Elementary School and Randle Highlands Elementary School, amplifying our community school model to reach more students and create pathways to success. At Tubman, our early intervention and holistic support programs ensure that even the youngest learners receive the resources needed to thrive, while at Randle Highlands, we focus on academic enrichment and family engagement, creating a nurturing environment where students excel both in and out of the classroom. These partnerships reflect MCIP’s unwavering commitment to empowering students across the District, tailoring services to meet the unique needs of each community as we work together to build a brighter future for all.
