The District of Change represents the pursuit of positive societal change in the DMV area. This change places emphasis on the need for gender and racial equality, as well as the need for LGBTQ+ rights. By fostering an inclusive community of strong, committed, and dedicated people, the Mystics hope to use their platform as an avenue for unity.
Health Hub: In partnership with MedStar Health, the Mystics aim to drive home the importance of physical and mental health & wellness in their community. The Mystics offer health resources such as Health & Wellbeing Blogs, Information on the COVID-19 Vaccine, Mental Health Workshops, and the chance to meet with MedStar Experts. Additionally, the WNBA and WNBPA announced a partnership with Black Women’s Health Imperative, donating $25,000 to help combat economic inequalities and unequal access to healthcare.
Breast Cancer Awareness: As a part of a leaguewide initiative, the Washington Mystics host an annual “Block Out Cancer Game” dedicated to raising funds for the Capital Breast Care Center, a nonprofit organization that offers outreach and patient navigation services for underserved women in the D.C. metropolitan area. Last year saw the Mystics raise nearly $7,000 by auctioning off their game worn Breast Health Awareness jerseys.
Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation: Since 2013, the charitable efforts of the Washington Mystics have been supported by the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation, in conjunction with the efforts of Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals. The alignment of charitable causes of these three organizations allows for the greatest impact to be felt throughout the metropolitan D.C. area. Through the work of this foundation, the goal is to have a positive effect in these five pillars: Education and scholarship, Homelessness and hunger, Military and veterans’ affairs, Pediatric fitness and health, Youth basketball and hockey.
MSE Programs:
Family to Family: The team adopts families in need that are nominated by local schools and nonprofit organizations. During the 2019 holiday season, 22 families were adopted by the MSE Foundation.
D.C. Public Schools Access/D.C. College Access Program: Through their partnership with the DCPS, the Mystics “adopted” a local school. In 2019, the Mystics worked closely with Hendley Elementary School, a school that serves nearly 500 kids PreK through fifth grade. Through the MSE Foundation, the Mystics award a $10,000 college scholarship to a female student-athlete basketball player attending a DC Public or DC Charter School. DC-CAP is a mentorship program designed to help students gain the necessary assistance needed for college. Through the program, over 23,000 students have been awarded $33 million since 1999, in an effort to help low-income students with financial aid.
Everybody Wins! D.C.: MSE staff (including Mystics employees) partake in the Everybody Wins! DC Power Lunch program, a literacy and mentoring program based in several schools in the D.C. Metropolitan area. The program is intended to help students with their interests in reading, as well as expanding their opportunities for success through their mentorship. Employees spend time reading to the children and engaging in conversation during the students’ lunch hour.
Food 4 Families: Along with the Capitals and Wizards, the Mystics partner with NBC4 host an annual food drive at Capital One Arena. Players, coaches, team staff, team spouses, and mascots help collect food and monetary donations during the day-long event. Additionally, the MSE Foundation provides an additional monetary donation, which helps provide food for families in need throughout the region during Thanksgiving.
Playworks Washington D.C.: Playworks is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities of physical fitness and providing safe spaces for recess by providing resources, onsite staffing, consultative support, and free resources for educators. In 2018, MSE partnered with Playworks, awarding them a $25,000 grant. Playworks currently works with 13 public and charter schools in the D.C. metropolitan area, serving over 4,000 students, and providing training to over 150 educators.
Learn more about the the Mystics’ philanthropic community efforts here.
