Our Goals
Outreach
Reach middle school and high school students
in foster care and in need and their families and connect them with resources to encourage graduating from high school, pursuing higher education and good health using cinema as a fun, holiday attraction.
Engagement
Engage prospective foster parents, give them an opportunity to connect with current foster families and children, provide information about becoming a foster parent and connect with a community of support services available to them should they decide to foster.
Connection
Connect students as well as current and prospective foster families using cinema as a fun, holiday attraction and community among current and prospective foster families and resource providers.
Who We Are
🧑🏾🧑🏻🧒🏽🧒🏼 Our Mission & Purpose
Essex Community Outreach Corporation’s (ECOC) mission is to eradicate educational and healthcare disparities for foster and underserved youth and their families.
Through impactful events and partnerships, we strive to empower communities by providing access to vital resources and fostering meaningful connections.
🎥Cinematique - Fostering Community and Connection
Cinematique is ECOC’s flagship event—a free, annual community gathering designed to support foster families by connecting them with educational opportunities and essential resources. Our goal is to scale up the event to host 2,000+ attendees, providing access to:
Resource providers offering support in education, healthcare, and family services.
Interactive and engaging activities that make the event fun and memorable for the entire family.
Community education sessions to empower families with knowledge and tools for success.
Our Commitment
At ECOC, we are dedicated to:
Scaling impactful events that connect families with valuable resources
Collaborating with nonprofits to create sustainable, community-driven solutions
Creating memorable experiences that inspire, educate, and uplift underserved communities
🎉Our Events
ECOC hosts two annual events for families:
Cinematique: Fostering Community and Connection:
Our flagship resource fair, annual serving
2,000+ people. Get involved here.
Cinematique Day at Woodland Park Zoo:
Our summer event, in partnership with Woodland Park Zoo. Learn More here.
🫂Extending Our Mission with other Organizations
In partnership with Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic, ECOC sponsors Urban Games, a free community health and play event. This initiative promotes:
Health education and wellness through fun, interactive activities.
Inclusive family engagement, making it accessible and enjoyable for all ages.
Since sponsoring Urban Games in 2015, ECOC helped launch it as a separate, independent 501(c)(3) organization, enabling it to expand its reach and serve marginalized youth and underserved communities nationwide.