Additional after-school opportunities will be available to youth in Green Valley at the start of this school year.
The Center for Youth and Family Advocacy (CYFA) is expanding “The Zone,” its literacy-focused after-school program, to students in first and second grades at Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary School.
The expansion effort is part of “CYFA’s growing investment in Green Valley through partnerships with Drew Elementary School, families and community partners,” said Devanshi Patel, the organization’s CEO.
“The goal is to provide consistent, relationship-based support for students during the years when they are developing the habits and skills that influence how they engage in school and their community,” she told ARLnow.
Efforts include:
- Literacy and math enrichment that builds strong academic foundations
- Hands-on, project-based learning that sparks curiosity and creativity
- Caregiver workshops that strengthen learning and connection at home
- Caring mentors and positive relationships that help children feel supported and encouraged
- Social-emotional learning and wellness that builds confidence and resilience
“First and second grade are critical years,” said Danielle Sherman, CYFA’s social worker. “Students are building the habits that shape how they approach learning, relationships and challenges for years to come.”
To support the expansion effort, the Brittain Foundation has committed $25,000 to provide a one-to-one match for dollars raised in the community to support the expansion.
“When a community invests in its youngest learners, those children grow into leaders who strengthen our schools, neighborhoods and Arlington community for years to come,” Patel said.
During the 2025–26 program year, The Zone served 18 students from kindergarten through fifth grade, with second-graders making up the largest group, CYFA officials said.
