MCIF's Open Arms Project

Our Philosophy

The Maura Clarke Ita Ford Center believes that an individual's education must go beyond the classroom and encompass all walks of life.  Through MCIF's Open Arms Project, participants receive services in 4 different areas:  Workforce, Empowerment, Legal, and Education. 

 

Workforce:  Entrepreneurship

Our philosophy is to assist economically disadvantaged women to move to economic independence. Our hands-on training includes:

Products and Services

MCIF Crafts course provides participants with assembly, sewing skills, and business development skills.   

MCIF offers women the opportunity to participate as trainees, to enhance their industry-related skills in our lines of products and their life skills including problem solving, teamwork, and responsibility.

We provide entrepreneurs with access to technical assistance in business planning, capital, and legal services through our resources or referrals to other organizations.
  • Crafts, including handmade jewelry
  • Greeting Cards (Coming soon!)

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    Empowerment

    MCIF Center believes that the empowerment of our participants is the key to their success. Through our partnerships with other community based organizations, MCIF provides Immigration Advocacy and Housing Advocacy.

    MCIF has worked with many community based organizations in order to provide valuable information to our participants about their rights.

     

    Legal

    MCIF Center believes that the empowerment of our participants is the key to their success. Through our partnerships with other community based organizations, MCIF provides Immigration Advocacy and Housing Advocacy.

    MCIF has worked with many community based organizations in order to provide valuable information to our participants about their rights.

     

    Education

    We provide entrepreneurs with access to technical assistance in business planning, capital, and legal services through our resources or referrals to other organizations.

     

    Our Goal

    Through our established educational programs and our collaboration with these organizations, we will address our participants’ aspirations at three levels: the women and men improve their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in English as well as advance their overall level of education; discover ways to support their families financially, and strengthen their active participation in their community. Our aim is to improve not only our participants’ abilities in literacy and communication, but also their overall quality of life through instilling self-worth and confidence.