All IMANI HOUSE programs, both in New York and Africa possess a common theme: The empowerment of people through the development of their skills, self-worth and understanding of their immedediate world and how they affect it.
New York Projects
Youth Enhancement and Development Projects:
IHI / PS 282 After-School Program - This is an enrichment program for at risk youth in grades Pre-K - 6 that fosters social, emotional, academic and physical development through tutoring and homework assistance, performance arts, athletics and more. Activities include martial arts, fencing, dance (African, tap, etc.), building self-confidence and respect, field trips, leadership development, critical thinking, inter-group understanding, tutoring, parent workshops and other. It serves 167 youth.
IHI Teen Challenge Building Bridges Program, George Westinghouse High School- This Teen Advancement program works with 55 youth in grades 9th – 12th to develop holistically, and build a strong sense of community commitment, self worth, respect and responsibility for their futures. This project assists students in improving their academic performance and prepares them for the SAT tests, while building effective communication and leadership skills by engaging in activities in the diverse world around them. Youth in the program participate in intensive training on bias awareness and prevention techniques, peer workshop preparation and facilitation, videography, the production of a monthly Cable Access TV show, hip hop and spoken word workshops, workshops on the interpretation of Shakespeare, financial literacy and other activities. We also indirectly serve an additional 100 teens through our peer education efforts.
Employment and Career Services- In 2005, IMANI HOUSE established a partnership with the Brooklyn Workforce One Career Center .This program is mainly funded by the Department of Labor. In addition to Workforce One some of the Employment Program’s important collaborations include: Brooklyn Educational Opportunity Center, First Source Staffing, NPower and more. This project serves approximately 300 community members per year and offers resume and cover letter creation/revision, email account set-up and use training, referrals to one or more of our partners, soft skills assessment and training, dressing for success, ongoing job research and resume distribution, and more.
Adult Literacy/ESOL Program - Offers group and one-on-one classes of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Reading and Comprehension, Writing, Pre-GED, Math,Life Skills, Civic participation, HIV Prevention, GED Test Prep Classes, Immigration and Legal Referrals, etc. This project serves over 200 community members per year and trains and certifies 30 + community volunteers who work with our participants.
Community Outreach and Empowerment
Food Pantry & Nutrition Program – IMANI HOUSE distributes over 4,000 bags of free nutritious, high protein meats, grains, and fresh produce each year to immigrants, the elderly, families and children. In 2005, IHI conducted the IHI Needs Assessment and Assistance Survey © of over 200 families and individuals receiving free food at Pantries and Soup Kitchens. The results of this survey are soon to be released.
Information & Referral Service Site – IMANI HOUSE has developed a wide network of collaborating agencies that offer services in areas we do not cover including legal, immigration, domestic violence, HIV assistance, housing, continuing education, social services and other assistance. In 2006, IHI offered referrals to over 4,000 individuals who walked in, called or emailed our office.
Women Writers Workshop – This program was started in 1999 in affiliation with the Amherst Writers & Artist to enable women to either continue or start writing; offering motivation, instruction and group support/ critique to improve participants creative writing skills. This is IMANI HOUSE’s only program which requests a fee; $150 for 5 weeks; $25 to reserve a seat. Space is very limited. Call 718-638-2059 for more information.
Liberia Projects
Clinic and Health Education- The IMANI HOUSE clinic located in Brewerville, Liberia has become, after 9 years of operation, an integral part of the Liberian Health care system. It was opened originally to serve thousands of refugees left stranded by the devastating civil war which began in 1990. IMANI HOUSE works closely with the country's Ministry of Health and local community leaders. The Clinic offers full family health care services, with a special pediatrics program, a short-stay in patient facility, family planning and emergency deliveries. In additional we offer dental care, laboratory services, and workshops in first aid, nutrition, basic health care and disease prevention.
Adult Literacy- IMANI HOUSE’s Adult Literacy classes were started in 1986 to address a Liberian illiteracy rate of nearly 72%. This rate has increased to 85% because of the recent civil war. IMANI HOUSE concentrates its efforts on women since they account for the majority of illiterate adults due to a system of limited access to education for most in developing countries. IMANI HOUSE holds free classes in Waterside, the largest market in Monrovia, the capital city and in Brewerville. The participants are made up of market women, petty traders and small business people. Classes are taught by paid tutors who are trained by IMANI HOUSE. IMANI HOUSE takes an active role with the Ministry of Education in its Each One Teach One campaign which is aimed at promoting literacy throughout the country.
Sustainable Agriculture- IMANI HOUSE offers sustainable agricultural training to Liberian farmers. The IMANI HOUSE Demonstration site offers training to local farming families in sustainable agriculture, composting and low input vegetable production. In 1993 IMANI HOUSE introduced soy bean growth and utilization. This program was started to increase the health and nutrition of Liberian women and children, improve farmer's crop production and offer petty traders and entrepreneurs the opportunity to produce soy products for sale. IMANI HOUSE is in the forefront of promoting organic agriculture to the Ministry of Agriculture and the farmers of Liberia.
Tailoring Program- The Tailoring Program is held at IMANI HOUSE’s location in the capital, Monrovia. This aspect of the project caters to market women and others training them in all aspects of tailoring including: pattern making and reading, sewing techniques, repairs and more.
