Aspire’s Achieving Afterschool Celebration shines a spotlight on the educational opportunity gap and its impacts on the students and families of South Arlington. We gather as a community to celebrate the achievements of our students over the past year and the steps we can take to increase access to critical afterschool and summer learning programs. Last year, a focus was on understanding the impacts of the pandemic on the students and families we serve, not only academically, but the social-emotional toll and impacts on youth behavior. The event includes a welcome reception and appetizers, a plated dinner, speeches from Aspire team members and students, as well as a live appeal and raffle.

This event is our largest individual fundraiser of the year, ensuring uninterrupted holistic support for Arlington families most impacted by the opportunity gap. The goal of our event is to raise $200,000 to increase the number of students we serve, maintain small class sizes and individualized support, and continue our commitment to access by ensuring our programs remain FREE to families. Your support at this time is critical, as students are facing unprecedented challenges which impact their learning both during the school day and after school. More of our students are struggling with mental health issues than in previous years, with some sharing thoughts of self-harm, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, and depression. Many families lack access to resources to support their children without the assistance of programs like Aspire, whose work is more important than ever.

Donate a raffle prize, like a gift card, goods, or a unique experience, to help us support our students. Last year, we had raffle donations from 29 local businesses and sold over 550 raffle tickets! This year, all raffle baskets will also include a book related to the basket’s theme, tying into Aspire’s focus on literacy and engaging our audience in fun new ways. Your support provides meaningful ways to engage the Arlington community and create lasting change with tangible results.