Our Programs

Fighting Racism

Our educational tools and programs build awareness to push back against the forces of historical and structural racism.

Film and Discussions

Monthly spaces to build relationships and understanding by viewing and discussing films on equity and social justice issues. For more information, contact Lanita Whitehurst, lanita@impactsilverspring.org.

Weaver Learning Lab (WLL)

The Weaver Learning Lab is a space to slow down and take a more holistic approach to addressing racism. With an emphasis on the inner awareness needed for outward action, Weavers explore the challenges in seeking equity, justice, and liberation alongside others on the same journey. For more information, contact Lanita Whitehurst, lanita@impactsilverspring.org.

Connecting Communities

To overcome the mistrust and fear that lead to fractured and divided communities, we create human-centered spaces to help diverse people connect and build relationships of trust and respect across lines of difference.

Diversity Dinners

Spaces for diverse neighbors to connect and talk about the things they care about over a shared meal. For more information, contact Sara Mussie, sara@impactsilverspring.org.

English Learning Classes & Language Exchange

A space where residents come to not only learn English, but to also build relationships, create a sense of community, and connect to other opportunities in the IMPACT network. For more information, contact Sara Mussie, sara@impactsilverspring.org.

Parenting Empowerment Workshops

Supportive space for connecting parents to each other, building awareness around the achievement gap, and providing tools to help children academically. For more information, contact Sara Mussie, sara@impactsilverspring.org.

Growing Leaders

Our empowerment programs spark people's innate power to become leaders, and to take actions towards creating more equitable neighborhoods and communities.

Civic Leadership Training

A community-based training for residents from Central and South American that focuses on civic participation, leadership, and racial equity to promote neighborhood civic engagement. For more information, contact Carmen Hernandez, carmen@impactsilverspring.org.

Women's Empowerment Group

Weekly drop-in space for women from Central and South American to connect, talk about the things they care about, offer each other support, and spark collaborative actions. For more information, contact Carmen Hernandez, carmen@impactsilverspring.org.

Boosting Economic Power

Our neighborhood program in marginalized communities help build stronger economic growth and stability, including providing incubator support for new and emerging worker cooperatives in communities of color. Worker-ownership in particular is a proven way to close the wealth divide, build assets for worker-owners, and help create a more thriving local economy.

Worker Cooperative Mix and Mingle

Opportunity for those interested in worker cooperatives to share, learn, and collaborate with other Montgomery County cooperatives. For more information, contact Valerie Salazar, valerie@impactsilverspring.org.

Entrepreneur and Worker Cooperative JUMPSTART

A learning space promoting a more democratic economy through the development of worker cooperatives. For more information, contact Valerie Salazar, valerie@impactsilverspring.org.

Entrepreneur and Worker Cooperative Technical Assistance

One-on-one coaching support to groups of residents starting cooperative businesses. For more information, contact Valerie Salazar, valerie@impactsilverspring.org.

Building Democratic Workplaces

IMPACT is striving to build a truly equitable, multi-racial organization and network with minimal hierarchy where power and decision-making are shared; fully empowered teams of staff and residents make decisions; trust, accountability, creativity and innovation are encouraged; and emotionally safe environments are created that honor people's full humanity.

IMPACT-Led Initiatives

MORE Network - Montgomery County Racial Equity Network

IMPACT is supporting efforts to build a diverse, County-wide network of people advocating for laws and policies in Montgomery County that will address racial disparities in health, education, transportation, housing, criminal justice, and income and wealth. For more information, view the MORE Facebook page.