Our programs and activities
ECAC’s activities truly reflect the spirit, desires and concerns of a
diverse community. Rather than focus on any one particular activity
or population, we allow the activities to attract the wide range of people
that make up the community. As people are encouraged to come out
of their homes and into the neighborhood, they discover people, cultures
and heritage they may not have had the opportunity to encounter. Our
core offerings include activities centered around
The Arts: Bellydance, Knitting/Crochet, Yoga, Capoeira
Angola, Weekly Open Mic, Jewelry Making, Modern Dance
Education: Alternative Diet, Aromatherapy, Family Constellations, Fitness, HPV Awareness, Hypnotherapy, Meditation, Natural Childbirth, Self Defense
Civic Engagement: ANC Committee Meetings, Neighborhood Meetings, Free Tax Preparation, Developer Meetings
Support
Groups: Al Anon, Codependents Anonymous, Women’s Support Circles
Social Events: Neighborhood Socials, Swap Meets, Thanksgiving Dinner, Cookouts
Environmental Awareness: Gardening, Composting, Rain Barrel Installation, Weekly Meetings
In developing the center, we discovered many non-profits, individual artists
and educators who were discouraged from offering programs in this area
due to lack of affordable space and marketing challenges. By offering
a combination of reasonable hourly room rates and outreach, ECAC has collaborated
with over 70 organizations and individuals, to host over 130 activities
in 2008. We regularly donate space to children’s groups, youth activities
and civic activities.
Recognizing that there were activities that needed more attention, ECAC initiated and received funding for several of its own programs:
Intergenerational Arts and Education: This Saturday morning
program gives families a chance to interact. Usually held from 10-12
on Saturday mornings, activities usually run 6-8 weeks and is a shared
learning experience for children, youth and elders. Examples of the
sessions offered as part of this program include Family Yoga, Knitting
and Crochet, Chess, and Gardening.
Summer Heritage Program: Building on the research collected
on the history of the Pleasant Plains community, ECAC wanted to bring the
information to the next generation. The Summer Heritage Program,
funded by the Humanities Council of Washington DC, provided one day sessions
for children in summer programs to learn neighborhood history and the African
Brazilian martial artform of Capoeira Angola. In 2009 we presented
over ??? children ages 5-12 with stories about the rich history of their
neighborhood. It was exciting to watch their surprise as they learned
that familiar landmarks were once an integral part of the community. After
hearing the stories, they were asked to draw or paint one of the sites
they learned about.
Environmental Program: The ECAC center serves as
a model for environmental initiatives in the community. We have 10
raised bed gardens and two compost bins which are built through community
workshops and maintained by Ecolocity, an environmental support group that
meets weekly at ECAC. Funding for the gardens in 2009 was provided
by Washington Parks and People. The gardens are planted year round and
in each season, the community is invited to participate in the process. We
also have rain barrels on the property which were also connected as part
of a workshop so people can see how easy it is to connect one at their
homes. A large grant from the Department of the Environment will
allow 
ECAC to capture 100% of its rainwater through pervious pavers and
a large cistern. Each phase of this project will be accompanied by
workshops inviting the community to learn and to volunteer in this project.
Our unique combination of programming has created a lively, colorful community space which has been a great benefit to the community. New activities are added frequently. Please feel free to consult our current schedule for an updated calendar of activities.