A rally in support of after-school programming in Arlington will take place later this week at Kenmore Middle School.
Organizers plan to ask leaders to “work with us over the next year to ensure that what has been called a pilot program will become permanent, with ongoing funding and a path toward expansion to meet the needs of children in our community,” said Marjorie Green of Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement (VOICE).
The event, sponsored by the new Afterschool Coalition, is slated for Friday at 7 p.m. at Kenmore (200 S. Carlin Springs Road). Several County Board and School Board members are expected to attend.
VOICE is among the event’s organizers. Host organizations also include Aspire! Afterschool Learning, Arlington School Hispanic Parents Association, Arlington Bridge Building/Bridge Kids, Camp Sarraka, CARE (Community Association of Resources for Education, Enrichment & Economics), CFYA (Center for Youth & Family Advocacy) and Edu-Futuro.
Organizers are not asking for additional funding during the fiscal 2027 budget cycle, but they are seeking a permanent partnership with county leaders, Green told ARLnow.
“We believe all kids deserve an opportunity to access the after-school programs that support their continued learning, growth and health. It’s part and parcel of helping to ensure a social safety net and a healthy community.”
“We also see a heightened need at this moment for safe and accessible after-school spaces for the children of immigrant families in our community who are dealing with fear and trauma related to intensified federal-government deportation efforts,” she said.
The event will feature refreshments and a performance by the Aspire rock band.
According to organizers, approximately 700 local youth currently benefit from free after-school programming at several middle schools and Wakefield High School, funded by the county government. In fiscal year 2025, County Board members allocated $2 million to support the effort.
The county government then allocated an additional $550,000 to support programming by Aspire, Phoenix Bikes and Edu-Futuro for the next two school years.
“The March 27 event is intended to celebrate these gains and to demonstrate broad community support,” Green said.
