The Woodson Center would like to highlight our CAN Mini-Grant awardee Gwyneth Brown, Founder of the ACEE The Firm Foundation in Southeast Washington, D.C. ACEE encourages women and children in the inner-city communities to think more highly of themselves, their families, and their neighbors through innovative programs that transform their lives. 

Ms. Brown used the mini-grant to offer two-day retreats with transportation, inspirational speakers, and healing experiences for men and women who have endured trauma in their past. She also described how the Woodson Center and its Community Affiliate Network (CAN) helps her organization, in particular the great value our Neighborhood Leadership Development Institute (NLDI) generates for her work. 

“They challenge you, they ask you questions, and you work one-on-one with a team of like-minded people,” said Ms. Brown, encouraging other affiliates to take advantage of the training.

In 2024, ACEE began partnering with Community of Hope (COH) Church of the Nazarene, which opened its doors to Ms. Brown, her organization, and the people they serve. Their collaboration has allowed both ACEE and COH to reach more people in their communities with services ranging from trauma recovery to financial literacy, bringing women and families together to heal and share God’s love with one another.

Ms. Brown described how the grant allowed ACEE to bring women together for events that facilitate healing and restore dignity.

“Some of the women have been raped, molested. Some of the women have lost their jobs,” said Ms. Brown. “Their significant others have been abusive to them … Their parents have been abusive to them. Some of the women have endured so much … For me, to be able to have the transportation and the location was the most impactful. The grant made it possible for me to actually do that.”