Arlington Families To Advocate For Free Afterschool Programs

ARLINGTON, VA — More than 275 students and parents are expected to gather Friday, March 27, from 7 to 8:15 p.m. at Kenmore Middle School in Arlington to urge local leaders to prioritize investment in free afterschool activities.

The youth-led public assembly will be held at 200 S. Carlin Springs Road and is sponsored by the Arlington Schools Hispanic Parents Association and Virginians Organized for Interfaith and Community Engagement, along with several afterschool providers.

According to the announcement, the event will bring County Board and School Board members together to hear how students have benefited from afterschool programs and why organizers want resources prioritized so more children can participate. A majority of County Board and School Board members have committed to attend, according to the announcement.

Supporters are asking the county to begin work now on options to make free, accessible, high-quality programs ongoing. The announcement says funding for current county pilot programs, allocated after two student deaths from fentanyl overdoses and a subsequent VOICE-ASHPA campaign in 2024, is expected to run out after the 2027 fiscal year.

"Afterschool programs have always been important as places where children can reinforce classroom instruction, learn new skills, and make friends," said Rev. Alice Tewell, a mother of two and pastor of Clarendon Presbyterian Church. "Today, they are more important than ever as safe spaces in communities traumatized by detentions and growing inequality and as places where kids connect with trusted adults who can support them."

The event is also backed by Aspire Afterschool Learning, Arlington Bridge Builders/Bridge Kids, Camp Sarraka, C.A.R.E. (Community Association of Resources for Education, Enrichment, and Economics), the Center for Youth & Family Advocacy, and Edu-Futuro.

"Values must be lived, not just talked about. If we believe in equity, access, and opportunity, then we must prioritize those values and put them into action through our budgets, policies, and partnerships," said Paula Fynboh, CEO of Aspire Afterschool Learning and a 2026 Afterschool Ambassador. "Investing in out-of-school time programming for all children is one tangible and powerful way to do that."

The Afterschool Alliance’s America After 3pm report found that parents of 745,577 children in Virginia want afterschool programs, but four in five children in the state are missing out. It also says cost, transportation and lack of programs in some communities are key barriers to enrollment.

Friday’s assembly is intended to make the case for continued local investment before current pilot funding expires after the 2027 fiscal year, according to the announcement.