OUR HISTORY
As a Hampton Roads educator working in Title I schools, Change Makers United, Inc.'s (CMU) founder noticed a disconcerting theme within the student population; students and their families are adversely affected by opportunity gap. Our Vision: Change Makers United, Inc. will cultivate sustainable change to ensure all children and young adults are empowered to become productive members of society.
In 2016, a small cluster of educators, mentors, and community advocates developed an action plan to provide services for students in Hampton Roads. These services would encourage educational advancement and holistic wellness. Since then, CMU has pooled its' resources (internally) and forged local partners (by way of sweat equity) to effectuate annual initiatives. CMU's annual initiatives include but are not limited to school supply drives to equip students with the necessary schools to access academic success; Thanksgiving drives to provide food for those in need support during the holiday season; toy drives for underprivileged youth during the holiday season, and winter clothing collections for those who need appropriate clothing to weather unforgiving temperatures during cold months.
Government institutions have identified diet, fitness, and overall mental health as key contributors to health and wellness disparities in Hampton Roads. Change Makers United, Inc. (CMU) ensure our future leaders' dreams and goals are not stifled, by responding directly to the previously mentioned key contributors.
Appreciation for our families is a dull and underwhelming sentiment to describe how we feel about those who entrust CMU and its services. We believe our families are justly due the resources we provide, and we expect them to feel empowered via our programs. CMU consistently implements research-based practices to invoke positive, sustainable change that promotes systemic change.
Title I schools are public schools with high percentages of children from low-income households. Opportunity gap is defined by an unequal distribution of wealth and resources. Less than 1% percent of the global population holds more than 1/3 of the world's wealth. Poverty plays a role in children's health, social-emotional well-being, their ability to learn, and the opportunity to receive a quality education (Jacobs, 2013).
Brady Payne defines sustainable change as a collective paradigm shift that mandates the constant and consistent process of assessing and addressing community needs.
*CMU's initiatives provide support for the Hampton Roads Commmunity; however, CMU also services youth and families in Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C., North Carolina, and New Jersey.
**Jacobs, G. (2013). Bridging the Opportunity Gap. NAEYC News, (November).
