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1719 13th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
202 462-3375

Copyright © 2003
Mazique Center.
All rights reserved.

History

Edward C. Mazique may be a familiar name to Washington D.C. “old timers.” Dr. Mazique was a well-respected, dedicated physician who served his community. Because the Mazique family was instrumental in the 1980's & 1990's in opening doors for the center, the Washington DC Parent Child Center, Inc. was renamed as the Edward C. Mazique Parent Child Center in 1988 in honor of this physician and his family.

As one of the original 36 Parent Child Centers established nationally by former President Lyndon Johnson's "War on Poverty" and the development of national programs for disadvantaged youngsters, the Washington DC Parent Child Center was created as a result of planning and operating grants originally received by community partner, the United Planning Organization (UPO). Having identified a Founding Director to lead the effort, the program (now known as the Edward C. Mazique Parent Child Center, or the Mazique Center) was created in 1968 with the same attitude as the "good doctor" - to serve families in Washington's communities. Beginning with only two rooms in the old Anthony Bowen YMCA in the Shaw community, the Mazique Center (then known as the Washington DC Parent Child Center) worked with 75 families in their homes to improve prenatal health and healthy birth outcomes. 

After relocating six (6) times, the Mazique Center found  a permanent "home" by erecting its own space - a 30, 000 square foot state- of-the-art child development facility in the same Shaw /Cardozo community where it began. Expanding programs and services to meet the needs of its growing enrollment, and establishing a presence in places where there was a special need, partnering with local agencies and organizations to maximize service delivery and minimize cost, we have since expanded to five locations, serve more than 300 children and their families, and we continue to work for positive outcomes for all - remaining true to our original, as well as, Dr. Mazique’s mission – working in and with our communities.