Our Mission
To support and empower families through holistic and transformative programs rooted in Afrocentric principles that foster unity, healing, and community building. We aim to create environments where families can thrive, children can grow, and communities can be strengthened.
What We Do
Nia Imani Family, Inc. provides comprehensive services and a holistic approach to supporting homeless young and pregnant mothers & their children whom are housed under one roof, living in their own apartments but learning together.
Our services
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Life Planning
The women develop smart goals for themselves and their children. They commit to education attainment or job skills development to obtain and maintain employment that can support them and their children in the future. They learn to build commitment to their dreams.
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Facing Past Traumas
Participants spend time writing and talking about their life experiences with support staff and with other participants whom have had similar experiences. With rules of conduct based on empathy, higher truths, personal goals and their children’s’ best interest which give them firm ground for resiliency in their lives ahead.
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Independent Living Skills
Support Groups are given in budgeting and planning, nutrition and culinary, health and wellness, parenting, home maintenance, job readiness and more. These are all things needed to learn how to live through poverty while preparing for their future.
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Parenting Skills
Participants are offered support groups that focus on mother/child bonding, empathy, and parent/child interaction. This lays the groundwork to support each individual child's greatest potential.
The Wisdom of the Turtle
Founder and Executive Director Belinda Pittman-McGee’s favorite image is the turtle. She gives a wooden turtle to each graduate of Nia Imani Family, Inc. The following description she includes serves as a reminder of their time at Nia Imani Family and what they will need to continue to build their futures.
Wood: Precious & Strong
Patience: Change takes time; Be not afraid of going slowly, be afraid only of standing still
The Hard Shell: Reminds us we carry the tools for survival within ourselves. Also, as the turtle’s house, the shell reminds us that home is where we are present.
The Turtle's Head: A symbol of wisdom, the head is always raised as the turtle moves slowly forward. Soul discovery and life recovery are slow and steady pursuits. Endurance. One small step at-a-time.
Recovery from homelessness, foster care, and violence, is full of discovery. It takes courage, positive people, faith, love, purpose, and a releasing of wounds and the reminder that slow and steady wins the race.
Young Mothers Transitional Program Intake
Nia Imani Family, Inc., is Milwaukee’s only long-term transitional living facility, where women and their children can stay for up to two years. The Young Mothers Transitional Housing Program (YMTP) serves young women aging out of foster care, young mothers (ages 18-25) and their children (birth to 5 years old) by providing transitional housing and personal growth opportunities, helping them achieve self-sufficiency and independent living. It aims to empower young women to become responsible parents, engaged citizens, and community role models while fostering holistic growth.
CONTRIBUTE
Make a difference in the lives of formerly homeless women and their children by donating today.
