MCS is unique among organizations in the Metropolitan Washington, DC region, in outreach to the diverse communities to foster access of all languages in region. We welcome their  experiences and viewpoints to contribute to mainstream civic life for common good. Among the organization’s strengths are:

• To facilitate respectful inclusive community conversations with and among diverse community members, change leaders, public private sector organizations that serve them, and other stakeholders who desire positive change for common good.  In doing so, community members are able to express their views, contribute to consensus and solutions, and/or act as catalysts for transformational change.
• To advance individual and public understanding of government and civic life and American democracy.   Some prerequisites for high-quality civic learning are  – 1) civic knowledge (an understanding of government structures, processes and emerging developments in society that impact community prosperity);  2) civic skills (being able to understand responsible democracy and the ability to participate  responsibly); and 3) civic dispositions (attitudes and behaviors that demonstrate understanding of collective community  responsibility for the welfare of others).
• To convene forums in which community members express their views, experiences and aspirations on topics for a common purpose, and prerequisites, actions and/or commitments to help improve the well-being and prosperity of all community members.  We aspire for these events to inspire community members and other stakeholders to become catalysts for transformational change.
• To provide local organizations with an opportunity to learn from the community they serve through hosting MCS-facilitated community dialogues and focus groups.
• To disseminate information to participating environments for discourse that embrace inclusiveness, respect, and trust of the community through effective programs and successful outreach, serving those who are hard-to-reach through one-on-one contact.
• To build on current research and effective practices, including constructs for conflict transformation. MCS’s public engagement efforts  aim for lasting change we find most likely to succeed when carefully coordinated with community members every step of the way.
• To involve community members, change leader,  and other stakeholders as advisors and decision leaders in all aspects of programs offered to the community by MCS (e.g., approach, design, implementation, evaluation, and the documentation of lessons learned).
• To build on social energy and consensus derived from inclusive, respectful interactions among the community members on topics of common concern can facilitate can lead to new levels of conscience raising, education and civic participation.
• To receive continuous feedback from the community through formal and informal means. We welcome and encourage participation from Community members and change leaders to foster consensus for change.