Parents Resources

In addition to being an all-purpose place for charitable donations, the American Red Cross of the National Capital Area helps people in our community prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies that may be local, state-level, national, or international in nature. In locations around the DC metro area, the Red Cross offers courses in disaster preparedness - for people and their pets, first aid, CPR, lifeguard training, and more.

DC Central Kitchen is a non-profit corporation that began its first phase of operations on January 20, 1989, redistributing the excess food from the Presidential inauguration. The Kitchen is founded on the premise that when fighting poverty, one must fight to win by using every resource available. Since its inception, DC Central Kitchen has used the kitchen as a central location to recover unused food, prepare and deliver meals to partner social service agencies, train and employ homeless men and women for the food service industry, and intellectually engage volunteers.

As a community kitchen, it recycles over one ton of surplus food each day that would otherwise go to waste and turns it into 4,000 meals for the hungry in the greater Washington, DC region. Among the people preparing these meals are the students of its Culinary Job Training program; once homeless and hungry individuals themselves, these aspiring men and women are equipped with professional and life skills.

Volunteers (13 and up) can assist with meal prep, chopping vegetables, sorting produce, mixing salads, portioning meals, de-boning meat, and sorting cans. In partnership with the Mid-Atlantic Gleaning Network volunteer groups can also glean – or pick surplus crops – for the DC Central Kitchen at farms in the DC Metropolitan Area. Families with children are encouraged to join.

In addition to being an all-purpose place for charitable donations, the American Red Cross of the National Capital Area helps people in our community prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies that may be local, state-level, national, or international in nature. In locations around the DC metro area, the Red Cross offers courses in disaster preparedness - for people and their pets, first aid, CPR, lifeguard training, and more.

This educationally-minded treasure trove is a favorite among teachers and parents alike - not to mention kids. The store is full of neat arts and crafts supplies, learning games, toys for the preschool years, books, kids' music, science projects, teacher supplies, and more. Teachers save 15%!

Shoppers here can equip a preschool, plan a year's worth of homeschool lessons, or just find something to do on a rainy afternoon.

The goal of HST (short for Home School Talents) is to provide professional level training in the cultural arts, primarily to home school students, as well as students with flexible scheduling. Additionally, HST is committed to making wholesome family entertainment accessible and affordable to the community.

The program went from doing one production per year at a local church to producing five fully staged shows in three different community theatres. There are now over a dozen directors/teachers and 200+ students in four different drama troupes, a dozen dance classes, four acting classes, a tech program, and a Broadway Choir. In addition, HST provides its students with the opportunity to perform at an annual Variety Show/Silent Auction, as well as other community outreach venues.

Educational books, learning aids, and more for children of all ages. Personalized assistance from a certified teacher and homeschooling mom available. Want free books for your child? Host an Usborne Books home show.

Children's National Medical Center is the only exclusive provider of pediatric care in the metropolitan Washington area and is the only freestanding children's hospital between Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Norfolk, and Atlanta. Ranked consistently among the best pediatric hospitals in America by US News & World Report, Children's is a proven leader in the development and application of innovative new treatments for childhood illness and injury and is the largest non-governmental provider of pediatric care in the District of Columbia, providing more than $50 million in uncompensated care.

Children's serves as the regional referral center for pediatric emergency, trauma, cancer, cardiac and critical care as well as neonatology, orthopaedic surgery, neurology, and neurosurgery. It operates numerous primary care health centers, suburban outpatient centers, and hospital-owed physician centers throughout the DC area.

The Children's Health Centers (CHC) provide primary pediatric care to patients at six locations throughout the District. A special center for adolescent patients is located on the hospital's main campus.

Children's National Medical Center is the only exclusive provider of pediatric care in the metropolitan Washington area and is the only freestanding children's hospital between Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Norfolk, and Atlanta. Ranked consistently among the best pediatric hospitals in America by US News & World Report, Children's is a proven leader in the development and application of innovative new treatments for childhood illness and injury and is the largest non-governmental provider of pediatric care in the District of Columbia, providing more than $50 million in uncompensated care.

Children's serves as the regional referral center for pediatric emergency, trauma, cancer, cardiac and critical care as well as neonatology, orthopaedic surgery, neurology, and neurosurgery. It operates numerous primary care health centers, suburban outpatient centers, and hospital-owed physician centers throughout the DC area.

The Children's Health Centers (CHC) provide primary pediatric care to patients at six locations throughout the District. A special center for adolescent patients is located on the hospital's main campus.

The Town Hall Education Arts & Recreation Campus - THEARC - is a $27 million, 110,000 square foot, state-of-the art campus located in southeast DC. Nine cultural and social service agencies are based at THEARC - including Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, Children's National Medical Center, The Corcoran Gallery of Art, Covenant House Washington, the Levine School of Music, Parklands Community Center, The Washington Ballet, Trinity University, and Washington Middle School for Girls - all of which share the goal of helping children and families reach their full potential.

In addition to the nine partner agencies based here, THEARC also features a 365-seat theater - the only theater east of the Anacostia River - where children can expand their horizons through drama, music, and dance, and the Washington, DC community can come together for events, performances, and town hall meetings.

Ah, to have a personal chef. Dream Dinners comes pretty close: Show up at one of its locations, prepare several ready-to-eat meals from a monthly rotating menu, and take them home to the freezer.

Most recipes contain meat, although there are some vegetarian and dessert options. Guests can make as little as three meals or as many as 12. All freezer packaging is provided; side dishes, such as rice or noodles, are often included, too.

Note: The portions are generous! Ask about splitting individual meals into two containers for freezing. Because of restaurant food preparation laws, children under 12 are not permitted.

Whole Foods Market is the world's largest retailer of natural and organic foods, offering the kinds of products usually found in small, local co-ops, but with the wide selection more typical of conventional grocery superstores.

The produce selection is high quality, with prices to match; same for the meat and seafood departments. The 365 and Whole Kids house brands offer some relief, particularly on kid staples like cereal, snack foods, and peanut butter and jelly. Sample stations throughout the store enable parents and kids to graze while they shop; or they can buy something to enjoy in the cafe area after check-out.

Prepared dishes run the gamut from soups to sushi, with vegetarian, vegan, Asian, and Mexican options. Fresh breads, spices, bulk grains, dietary supplements, frozen and canned foods, sumptuous chocolates and baked goods, designer cheeses, and hot and cold salad bars are also available. Pet food, bath products, magazines, cut flowers, and paper goods are some of the non-food items for sale.

A seating area with tables and high chairs is available in the front of the store.

Free pamphlets near the cashier lines offer ideas and recipes for cooking and entertaining; the website does, too.

Clutterbusters!! is a national franchise that provides professional organizing services for children's rooms, kitchens, family rooms and other household living areas; garages; home offices; businesses; and more. The company provides hands-on organizing at the clients home or place of business.

Clutterbusters!! assists clients in developing customized organization systems that will not only help them eliminate clutter, but teach keep them how to keep their living and work spaces clutter free.

Clutterbusters!! offers numerous packages to handle numerous types of organizational projects. Details are available on the company's website.

Perfectly Posh Photography offers on-location portrait photography specializing in maternity, infant, child, senior, and family sessions. Other services include modeling portfolios and creative services (announcements, story boards, and scrapbooks).

Stuck on You designs and manufactures high quality, colorful personalized labels for every Tom, Dick or Harriet. The best-selling vinyl sticks are waterproof, microwave and dishwasher safe, and don't leave a sticky residue when it's time to take them off. The iron-on labels and clothing tattoos are commercial laundry, washing machine, and dryer safe. Check the gallery of cute icons that can be added to most products - in addition to expressing personality, the images help non-readers distinguish their stuff! The sizes and shapes are really useful as well - shoe dot, anyone?

Stuck on You sales can be done as fundraisers for schools and camps, as well.

Emily Deisroth Photography + Design specializes in photo shoots for families and children (including maternity). Other services available include announcements, albums, and scrapbooks.

The West End Branch hosts a Great Books discussion group, children's storytimes, a film series, and offers the use of two meeting rooms to community groups.

A child may get a library card when he or she is able to write his or her name on the library card application. Parents may check children's books out on their own cards. Books may be borrowed for up to 21 days. Children are not charged for books brought back late.

The Mt. Pleasant Branch circulates approximately 50,000 books annually, and offers public services that include a children's story hour and access to a public meeting room.

Preschool Films and Stories are offered on Wednesdays (for school groups only) and Thursdays (for children and their parents and/or caregivers only) at 10:15am.

A child may get a library card when he or she is able to write his or her name on the library card application. Parents may check children's books out on their own cards. Books may be borrowed for up to 21 days. Children are not charged for books brought back late.

The charming one-room Noyes Library for Young Children, Montgomery County's oldest, is an historic landmark. Once inside, children immediately sense the intimacy of this library, which is just for them. There are programs for babies and toddlers, two and three year olds, preschoolers, and other special events.

The Breastfeeding Center for Greater Washington is a non-profit organization founded to promote breastfeeding in the community. It provides a comprehensive lactation education and support program for women, their partners, and other significant family members; hands-on assistance and instruction in use of breastpumps and breastfeeding supplies; and skilled technical management of lactation related problems.

In addition to regular weekly classes, such as Breastfeeding in the Early Weeks, Breastfeeding Basics, and Baby wearing and Breastfeeding, one-on-one consultations with a lactation consultant can be scheduled either in the office or in your home. The lactation consultants are International Board Certified, and are extremely knowledgeable, reassuring, and helpful.

The Center also offers a huge selection breastpumps, nursing bras, and other breastfeeding and baby accessories.

Flexible Family Fitness is a personal training center for families - your kids can work out with you. The Physical Education Center provides the individual care and attention that each child needs to feel comfortable, while simultaneously directing and guiding a healthful nutrition and exercise program and fitness routine for all members of the family. By combining quality time and healthy time, Flexible Family Fitness strives to build healthy bodies, healthy families, and healthy relationships. Classes and field trips offered include alternative yoga, bowling, music lessons, acting lessons, horseback riding, chess, golf, hiking, and weight training.

Because stay-at-home moms need support, too. This club, a nonsectarian nonprofit with chapters across the United States and the world, offers support and activities to moms at home and a chance for their kids to socialize with others kids.

Goings-on include playgroups, moms' nights out, park days, and other activities, as determined by a chapter's membership. Kids are always welcome at eveything, and all activities (except for the monthly moms' night out) happen during the day.

The club has dozens of chapters in the DC area.

The National City Christian Church, a Disciples of Christ Church, offers a gospel service, a traditional service, a service in Spanish, a service for the hearing impaired, and a children's ministry on Sundays.

It is an inclusive church family which fully embraces in its life and ministries people of every race, gender, age, culture, economic circumstance, sexual/gender orientation, family configuration, physical or mental condition, and all other distinctions which are the rich tapestry of God's creation.

The Sixth & I Historic Synagogue offers educational and inspirational programs and activities for current and future generations, and helps preserve part of the heritage of Jewish Washington.

The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land is an often unexpected surprise to those who don't live in Brookland. And once discovered, people are reluctant to share their find, as the monastery is a place of such incredible peace and beauty.

The church was built in 1898-99, using as the floor plan the five-fold Crusader Cross of Jerusalem, and it is built in the Byzantine style, after the Hagia Sofia in Constantinople (Istanbul), with some modified Romanesque influences. There are three Shrines, and a faithful copy of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, for which the Monastery was named. Catacombs are housed in the Martyr's
Crypt; short passageways lead to the Chapel of Purgatory and more chapels, typical of the larger ones of the ancient Catacombs. The Nativity Grotto is reproduced here as it exists now in Bethlehem.

Visitors are welcome to tour the grounds on their own, but guided tours are available as well. Tours of the Monastery and shrines are given Monday through Saturday at 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm. On Sundays, tours are given in the afternoons only, at 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm. The Catacombs can be visited only when on a tour. Tours are free, although donations are greatly appreciated.

Surrounding the church is the Rosary Portico (or Cloister Walk), with 15 chapels commemorating the lives of Jesus and Mary in detailed, colorful mosaics. Each chapel contains artistic ceramic plaques bearing the Angelic Greeting in nearly 200 ancient and modern languages. Within the Portico are beautiful landscaped gardens that change with the seasons. I don't think there is a better place to see tulips in the spring than right here!

Attached to the rear of the church is the monastery, built in the monastic style of the late Romanesque. Statues (children love the dog in particular), reproductions of Holy Land Shrines, and the Stations of the Cross are found throughout the upper and lower gardens. There are grottoes, outdoor chapels, and lots of places for kids to run around (respectfully of course) and drink in the view.

Destination DC (formerly known as the Washington, DC Convention & Tourism Corporation) runs the official tourism website for DC, which features tons of visitor information, such as hotels, events, tickets, transportation, and a Travel Update section - handy to have these days.

The Cultural Tourism DC website is a great resource for visitors and residents alike, offering most of the standard museum info, etc., but focusing more on neighborhoods, heritage trails, and the myriad cultural offerings to be found around DC.

Whether you're going to a strange hotel, austere Aunt Minnie's, or your bachelor high school pal's place, BabiesTravelLite.com can turn a potentially stressful trip with baby into a breeze.

Order anything you might need or want from the site - diapers to baby dinners, strollers to suncreen - and it'll be shipped and waiting when you get there.

The site is laid out to make sure you don't forget the details, with assorted baby bundles for specific activities like mealtime (disposable bowls, utensils, sippy cups, bibs, and wipes) or pooltime (sunscreen, float, swim diapers, beach ball, and tote bag.) Individual items can be bought, as well, and we found everything on the site we might need. The site also carries a full line of organic products including baby food and formula, diapering, bathing and sun care items, and environmentally-friendly diapers. But, if you have a unique item in mind that's not on the site, send an email and a customer service person will be in touch about getting it for you.

A new option allows you to ship all your unused, or non-disposable items, home for $5! A Fed Ex return label and packing tape allows you to use the box the order came in to get it going again. A welcome package for baby both at home or abroad - sounds like a winner to us.

Order at least 10 days prior to travel to send your items ground. Last-minute orders can be accommodated, too.