Brightwood Family Success Center
At the Brightwood Family Success Center (BFSC), we believe that innovation, partnerships, and community engagement are the driving forces behind sustainable change in our Ward 4 communities. Our vision is to serve as a catalyst for this transformation, fostering thriving families and safer neighborhoods. We invite you to join us on this journey.
The BFSC is dedicated to creating a warm, welcoming environment that is community-driven, multicultural, and family-friendly. Rather than operating as a single-stop resource, we have built a dynamic network of support with multiple touchpoints throughout the community, ensuring that families can access the help they need when and where they need it.
To maximize accessibility for all, BFSC offers a flexible service delivery model rooted in the “Family First” approach. Our place-based services include healthcare, employment assistance, education, entrepreneurial support, violence prevention, substance use prevention, and community safety programs—all supported by an onsite computer lab. Through this comprehensive approach, we aim to empower families and strengthen our community from the ground up.
The Brightwood Family Success Center is envisioned as a catalyst for sustainable change in our Ward 4 communities. We are dedicated to building thriving families and safer communities, and we invite everyone to join us on this journey.
—Debra Gittens, Chief Executive Officer, GAFSC.
The Brightwood Family Success Center (BFSC) is a testament to GAFSC’s mission to support children, youth, and families in becoming healthy, empowered, and connected within a multicultural community. The Center serves a diverse population, including low-income families facing challenges such as inadequate housing, limited income, joblessness, underemployment, and insufficient healthcare and childcare.
As part of the District’s comprehensive support system envisioned by “Keeping DC Families Together,” the BFSC will offer primary prevention services and community-driven resources. The Center aims to empower families and integrate programs and services to build on family strengths, maintaining a multicultural, family-friendly, and community response-driven environment.
The BFSC operates with the support of five essential partners: Emory Beacon of Light, Inc., Metropolitan Police Department DC, MutetheViolence DC, Urgent Wellness, and the Wards 3 & 4 DC Prevention Center. Residents have access to a wide range of vital services and resources, including place-based healthcare, an onsite computer lab, emergency assistance, bilingual parent support programming, community safety and outreach interventions, small business and employment counseling, youth violence interventions, and support for substance use and mental health disorders.
Central to the BFSC’s mission is the Community Advisory Council (CAC), which plays a crucial role in fostering local leadership and enhancing the Center’s capacity to develop, oversee, and build its resources. The CAC’s focus on incorporating individuals with lived experience underscores the Center’s commitment to community involvement and partnership.
“We believe in the power of innovation, partnerships, and community engagement,” said Debra Gittens, Chief Executive Officer of GAFSC. “The Brightwood Family Success Center is envisioned as a catalyst for sustainable change in our Ward 4 communities. We are dedicated to building thriving families and safer communities, and we invite everyone to join us on this journey.”
Stories from the Brightwood Family Success Center
At the Brightwood Family Success Center (BFSC), community is at the heart of everything we do. Community Connections is our space to share stories, celebrate local voices, highlight upcoming events, and spotlight the many ways BFSC is working to uplift families and strengthen neighborhoods across Brightwood and beyond.
Here, you’ll find real moments from the people and programs shaping our center—whether it’s a youth workshop, a community celebration, or the inspiring work of our partners and residents. Check back often to stay connected, stay informed, and stay inspired.
Spring Family Day Brings Joy and Unity to Brightwood
It is with great pride and joy that we share highlights from our recent Spring Family Day—a heartwarming event that brought residents of Ward 4, especially those in the Brightwood cluster, together in celebration and community. Residents showed up in full force to...
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Brightwood Family Success Center Community Opportunities
Family Success Computer Lab: Hours are Monday – Friday, 10 am – 6 pm, alternating days 11 am – 7 pm and designated weekends to ensure flexibility.
Parent Support Outreach & Engagement:
Ages served: All Ages
Brightwood Family Success Center Community Opportunities
The Food Pantry & Small Business Assistance Program: Emory Beacon of Light Pantry Hours: Open every Tuesday from 12pmto 2 pm.
DC MPD: Kids, Cops, and Karaoke, Prevention Through Vision.
Wards 3 & 4 DC Prevention Center: Community Education, Community Leadership, Youth Prevention Leadership Corp(YPLC),SUD Referrals.
Placed-Based Healthcare: Health Navigator, Care Management, Onsite FSC Health Care, Onsite Pop-Up Vaccination Clinics.
Mute The Violence DC: Conflict Resolution and Mediation, Peer Mentoring, Intervention and Prevention, School-Based Services.
We are thankful for the support and work of our Incredible Partners!
Emory Beacon of Light, Inc.
DC Metropolitan Police Department (DC MPD)
MutetheViolence DC
Urgent Wellness
Wards 3 & 4
DC Prevention Center