About Us

The Protege Project led by Clementina Maduro

The Protégé Project grew from the steady heartbeat of Clementina Maduforo, a builder of both futures and communities. Since 2019, she has guided the program with the kind of determination that reshapes neighborhoods one young person at a time. Her mission is simple and powerful: create a safe, structured, and inspiring place where youth can be seen, supported, and strengthened.

Clementina has spent years serving families across the DC area, and the Protégé Project reflects everything she believes in. Each week, students gather for sports, learning sessions, creative workshops, guest speakers, and real conversations that help them navigate school, friendships, and life’s tougher corners. The program is built to feel like a second home, where guidance is steady and encouragement is plentiful.

Under her direction, the Protégé Project serves 15 to 20 students weekly in its early years, with plans to reach even more as the program grows. Snacks, supplies, field trips, and hands-on activities fill the space with energy, while the mentoring team keeps the structure grounded and consistent.

Clementina’s leadership turns the program into a kind of compass for young people. She believes every child carries a bright story inside them, and sometimes all they need is a place where someone listens, nudges, and believes. That is the promise of the Protégé Project: a sanctuary for growth, a launchpad for confidence, and a community where every participant is treated like a rising star.

Our Mission

We exist to empower, mentor, and uplift young men through structured, community-based programming that instills confidence, builds leadership, and keeps youth connected to school, sports, and positive role models.

What Makes Us Different?

We don’t just mentor we show up every week, year-round. Our after-school and weekend programs at North Michigan Park Recreation Center give young boys the support and structure they need during their most formative years. We meet youth where they are and equip them with tools for long-term success.

Whether it’s shooting hoops, getting tutoring help, learning from a guest speaker, or taking a college tour we build experiences that shape futures.

What We Do

✓ Mentoring – Group and one-on-one mentorship from trusted adult role models
✓ Academics – Homework help, tutoring, and life skills workshops
✓ Sports – Basketball, flag football, baseball, and lacrosse
✓ Enrichment – College visits, career exploration, field trips, and leadership training

Who We Help

The Protégé Project supports boys ages 6–18 from all DC quadrants (Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest), as well as Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, and Northern Virginia.

Our participants come from all walks of life, often facing real challenges—lack of guidance, academic setbacks, or neighborhood instability. We’re here to make sure they don’t fall through the cracks.

Why Support Us?

Your support helps us provide:

  • Free programming to underserved youth

  • Healthy snacks, school supplies, and uniforms

  • Safe spaces for boys to grow, learn, and lead

  • Mentorship that changes the trajectory of a young man’s life

Every dollar you donate goes directly into the lives of the kids we serve. When you give to The Protégé Project, you’re not just funding a program you’re changing a future.

Join Us

Mentorship is more than a meeting; it’s a lifeline. Your support provides the safe space and the steady hand these boys need to thrive. Invest in a life today. Parent, educator, donor, or community leader we invite you to get involved in the DC area falls through the cracks.

📍 Serving:
Washington, DC | Prince George’s County | Montgomery County | Northern Virginia

🔗 Learn how to get involved or donate today at www.protegeprojectdc.org
📩 Contact us: contact@ijslimited.com
📞 Call: 202-498-2136

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who does The Protégé Project serve? We support young men ages 6–18 from all DC quadrants (NE, NW, SE, SW), as well as Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, and Northern Virginia. We focus on providing a “second home” for youth who may face challenges like neighborhood instability or a lack of academic guidance.
  • What makes this program different from other youth initiatives? Our commitment is rooted in consistency. Unlike seasonal programs, we show up every week, year-round. Whether it is after school or on weekends at the North Michigan Park Recreation Center, we provide a steady, reliable presence in a young man’s life during his most formative years.
  • What is the “promise” of The Protégé Project? Our promise is to be a sanctuary for growth and a launchpad for confidence. Under the leadership of Clementina Maduforo, we believe every child has a bright story inside them. We provide the place where someone listens, nudges, and believes in them, ensuring that every participant is treated like a rising star rather than just another student.
  • How is my donation or support utilized? Every dollar goes directly to the youth we serve. Your support provides free programming, healthy snacks, school supplies, athletic uniforms, and transportation for field trips and college visits. By giving, you aren’t just funding a program—you are changing the trajectory of a young man’s life.