Advocates for permanent local funding for after-school programs received support, but not necessarily promises, from county leaders at a March 27 rally.
Hundreds turned out for the evening program at Kenmore Middle School, urging county leaders to see the value in safety-net programs for students.
“Take care of the children,” urged the Rev. Carol Thomas Cissel, minister of social justice and community development at Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington.
“Every single one of us here is here for the little ones,” Cissel said. “All of the children are ours — we want them to be safe.”
The County Board allocated $2 million to support after-school programs in 2024. Those attending the Kenmore rally sought to make funding a permanent part of the county budget going forward.
During the event, students benefiting from after-school programming lined up to relate how they have been impacted. Among the comments:
- “It has changed how I see myself”
- “Students are able to learn skills they are interested in, without the stress of test scores and grades”
- “We support each other through everything and keep ourselves motivated”
- “It taught me to believe in myself and keep working to reach my goals”
- “I have built confidence and met amazing people”
- “Our voices were heard, and for that we are grateful”
- “It opened doors and gives a girl like me confidence to dream bigger”
- “It encourages me to have courage and not be shy”
- “It prepares us not just for school, but for life”
County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti said he supported the request in concept, but could not make any promises that would tie the hands of future Boards.
“I will do what I can to work with colleagues,” de Ferranti said, acknowledging his response may not have been what the group was seeking.
“I don’t want to bring you down,” the Board chair said. “I just don’t like overpromising.”
Vice-Chair Maureen Coffey, who likely will be Board chair when the issue returns in 2027, struck a similar chord.
“We are going to make every effort that we possibly can,” she said. “We want to invest in you.”
Board member Takis Karantonis was a little more definitive in supporting the request.
“We’ll find a way,” he predicted.
According to rally organizers, about 700 local youths currently benefit from free after-school programming at several middle schools and Wakefield High School, funded by the county government.
School Board member Kathleen Clark said today’s students deserve the same support previous ones did, despite current budget concerns.
“I grew up in Arlington and I had access to safe, after-school activities,” Clark said.
The rally was sponsored by the newly formed Afterschool Coalition. Partners in the effort include Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement (VOICE), 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.
In addition to the approximately 300 attendees, all five County Board members and a majority of School Board members were on hand. Also attending were Sheriff Jose Quiroz and Del. Adele McClure (D-2).
Cissel said elected leaders, and the broader community, need to prove their commitment “not [by] grand gestures, but showing up.”
Youth are “right in the center of our lives and community,” she said. “There is safety in the center.”
