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Nearly 500 students and parents gathered at Kenmore Middle School with elected officials and community leaders to press Arlington County for continued, dedicated funding for afterschool programs.
Youth leaders helped organize and run the rally, which highlighted the role the programs play in providing tutoring, enrichment activities and safe places for young people outside school hours. Organizers focused particularly on services for Arlington’s most vulnerable students.
The push comes as a $2 million grant from the Arlington County Board approaches its expiration at the end of fiscal year 2027. The one-time funding, approved after two young students died from opioid overdoses in 2023, helped expand afterschool services for middle and high school students.
Program leaders are now seeking a way to build on that pilot rather than allow the expanded services to end with the grant.
“Afterschool programs have always been important as places where children can reinforce classroom instruction, learn new skills, and make friends,” said the Rev. Alice Tewell, a mother of two and pastor of Clarendon Presbyterian Church. She said the programs have become increasingly important as safe community spaces where children can connect with trusted adults.
The Arlington Addiction Recovery Initiative reported a 27% decline in drug overdoses from 2023 to 2024, while fatal overdoses fell by 55%. An analysis of local data showed the decline continuing through 2025. The figures do not establish that afterschool programs caused the reductions, but rally organizers pointed to them while emphasizing the value of expanded youth services.
“This programming is saving lives and securing futures,” said Paula Fynboh, CEO of Aspire Afterschool Learning and a 2026 Afterschool Ambassador. “Afterschool programs keep kids safe, inspire them to learn, and give working parents peace of mind.”
Among the student speakers was El Hadji, a seventh grader enrolled at Aspire. He described receiving homework help and tutoring while participating in STEM activities and art projects in a safe, supportive setting.
“Every student who wants to participate in afterschool programs should have the opportunity,” El Hadji said. He added that other students may be unable to participate because programs do not have enough available spaces.
Virginia parents representing 745,577 children want access to afterschool programs, according to the Afterschool Alliance’s America After 3PM report, but four out of five children in the state are missing out. Cost, transportation difficulties and a lack of nearby programs are among the major barriers.
The report found especially high unmet demand among Black and Hispanic children, with 65% of Black children and 60% of Hispanic children needing a place in a program.
Research cited by advocates has associated afterschool participation with improvements in grades, attendance and behavior. Such programs can also strengthen students’ engagement with school and help them develop skills including problem-solving, teamwork and communication.
The rally was hosted by Aspire Afterschool Learning, the Arlington Schools Hispanic Parents Association, Arlington Bridge Builders–Bridge Kids, Camp Sarraka, CARE, the Center for Youth & Family Advocacy, Edu-Futuro and VOICE.
Attendees included Virginia Del. Adele McClure and all five Arlington County Board members: Takis Karantonis, JD Spain, Matt de Ferranti, Maureen Coffey and Susan Cunningham. Arlington School Board members Zuraya Tapia-Hadley, Monique Bryant and Kathleen Clark also participated.
Aspire’s student rock band performed during the gathering, and winners from the REC soccer team joined the rally.