All Should Have the Opportunity to Thrive

An Op-Ed by Dr. Emma Violand-Sánchez

On April 28th, Aspire Afterschool Learning was one of 1,000 nonprofits across the country that received the gut-wrenching call that their AmeriCorps funding (which had already been allocated) was cut, effective immediately. Since then, our community is having to face the stark reality that unless Aspire closes a major funding gap the organization may no longer be able to serve a significant number of their students. This would be devastating because Aspire provides the only daily academic afterschool and summer programs for 3rd-8th graders that are offered at no cost to families in Arlington County.

For over 30 years as an educator and School Board Member, I have admired Aspire (formerly Greenbrier Learning Center) as it has grown from a small, community-led grassroots non-profit to give children a chance to succeed in school and beyond, into what it is today – a high-impact and greatly trusted organization bridging the educational opportunity gap. Aspire has stayed true to its values of equity, access, and community, even as it has doubled the number of students it has served in just the last three years and fulfills an unmet educational and social need in our community. Aspire is, and always has been, a critical part of our community, supporting our children in their learning and giving them the opportunity to dream and become successful students.

I know that these kinds of cuts will be disastrous for families who rely on organizations like Aspire to provide safe, accessible and educational support to low-income students.  The families who are most impacted by funding cuts are hardworking, essential members of our community, many of whom work in jobs like retail, food services, transportation, healthcare, and custodial services that literally make it possible for our community to function.

I believe that in Arlington students have access to very good schools but not everyone has access to enrichment educational services after school or during the summer. All should have the opportunity to thrive.

Now that the federal government has unjustly cut funding for AmeriCorps volunteers providing vital educational support to students; it is essential that Arlington County, and all of us as community members, and businesses support Aspire so that all students can continue to attend Summer and after school programs.

In Arlington, there is plenty to go around, but a scarcity mindset is one of the biggest threats to creating a community where everyone can thrive.

Aspire has been there for the community and has been a valuable partner of Arlington Public Schools and Arlington County for decades. Let’s be there for them and our students. We must financially support Aspire now that AmeriCorps funding has been eliminated. This could be our moment to lead with our values and support our most vulnerable students, or it could be a moment where we turn our backs due to a false sense of fear and scarcity. What will we choose?

You can read Aspire’s latest updates on the AmeriCorps funding cuts here or make a donation to help sustain our work here.