Greater Washington Urban League

Founded in 1938 during the Great Migration, the Greater Washington Urban League is one of the oldest civil rights organizations in the District and an affiliate of the National Urban League. It works to elevate the economic and political power of Black communities and communities of color across Washington, DC, Montgomery County and Prince George's County, guiding individuals and families toward self-sufficiency.

Help in a crisis starts at the Community Care Center, which offers rapid support and wraparound services, including help recertifying SNAP, TANF and housing voucher benefits. Emergency Services provide utility assistance, the Homelessness Prevention program and Eviction Diversion Program help households at risk of losing their homes, and the Home Pathways and Counseling Center guides residents from credit repair to closing day with homebuyer education, down payment assistance, foreclosure prevention and wealth preservation. The Financial Empowerment Center offers free one-on-one coaching and the Spark Series, an online financial education course.

The Entrepreneurship Center runs cohorts for Black and Brown business owners, including By Our Hands for food service entrepreneurs, Contractors' Pathway to Inclusion and Arts and Creative Entrepreneurs. The Family Wellness Center provides culturally responsive therapy, perinatal mental health support through Birthing Black, and the Black Fatherhood Blueprint, which pairs healing circles with legal, financial and career help for fathers.

Youth programs include scholarships, internships and mentoring, and each summer the Back 2 School Health and Wellness Festival sends students home with school supplies. Supporters can volunteer at the festival, become members, join the Auxiliary or donate.