Mission
ICC is a community center where people of diverse backgrounds can come together to engage in community building programs, social action projects and educational programs built to promote pluralism and social cohesion based on mutual respect and harmonious coexistence.
Goals
- Promote the participation of individuals and families with various ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds in civic engagement, cross-cultural and interfaith dialogue, and community service.
- Develop a vibrant community of engaged citizens with the resources to peacefully mitigate any social and political conflict through effective cross-cultural approaches.
- Decrease a culture of misunderstandings, fear and violence.
History
Realizing that real action and change must take place at the community level, in 2011 WORDE established the International Cultural Center (ICC). The establishment of this center, located in a 10,000 square foot facility in Gaithersburg, Maryland, has given WORDE the wonderful opportunity to transform policy into action.
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Montgomery County Annual Friendship Picnic, 2016
Please save the date to join the Montgomery County Annual Friendship Picnic that brings together communities with diverse cultures and faiths. Food and drinks will be provided so everyone may relax and enjoy the afternoon! Kosher, Halal, Vegetarian and Traditional Cusines! We kindly request that you bring one non-perishable food item, which will be donated […]
Wheaton Regional Park, 2000 Shorefield Road, Wheaton, MD 20902
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
September 25, 2016
The Crossroads Program provides culturally proficient counseling and access to social services for Montgomery County residents (with low to moderate incomes).
On 8/23, ICC Crossroads co-sponsored “Courageous Conversations,” an intergenerational and interracial conversation on discrimination and bullying. ICC Crossroads Program Director, Nouf Bazaz, facilitated dialogue between diverse students and panelists that culminated in the creation of a community mural. Co-sponsors of the event included the Gaithersburg Beloved Community Initiative, The City of Gaithersburg/Gaithersburg Youth Center, Identity […]
Read MoreThe ICC’s dynamic community building programs are designed to foster mutual respect for various cultural and ethnic traditions, while developing new friendships and avenues for collaboration.
On Thursday, August 11, after the deadly gas explosion at the Flower Branch apartment complex in Silver Spring, the faith communities of Montgomery county has been very active and responding in several ways. In addition to prayers, the Emotional Spiritual Care Volunteers (ESCVs) have been caring for families in their shelter. Within a few hours of this disaster, the Emotional […]
Read MoreOver the last year, youth and families from the Greater Washington DC area have participated in a range of activities at the ICC that promote social action through service-learning projects.
With the support from the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Silver Spring, we were able to create 37 backpacks filled with school supplies. 30 of these were donated to the Stepping Stones Shelter and 7 were donated among the local refuge families. Thank you for your generous donations!
Read MoreAttend hands-on workshops, seminars and town hall discussions with policymakers, analysts and academics on critical issues that affect our community such as conflict resolution, domestic violence, and the impact of violence on our youth.
On February 9th, the ICC hosted 60 people from diverse faith traditions who came together to increase community awareness of issues related to water quality at “Greening Our Sacred Grounds”. Speakers included Paul Hlavinka of the Muddy Branch Alliance and Rev. Mary Gaut from Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake. The following presentations engaged congregations in […]
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