EMPOWERING ENRICHMENT

Empowering Enrichment D/B/A Rooted In Education seeks to close the participation gap by providing another source of scholarship funding for students in need of assistance, for PTA/PTOs and schools in Title 1 communities or those with at least 25% of their populations eligible for free and reduced lunch, program Providers and to the general public, or for those programs who are in jeopardy of being canceled to ensure that students continue to be able to access these classes.

Additionally, our Fare Harvest community gardens dedicate space for nourishment, education and connection to food source - both of which are vital to a child's social and emotional well-being, as well as that of the community to which they belong.

Our two pronged strategy to 1) provide funding is to award grants to eligible PTAs/PTOs, school administrations, Providers of programs and families to be used for scholarships for students with financial need, and/or to subsidize program operating costs, 2) build a network of Fare Harvest community gardens that provide: access to free, organic, local produce for all who wish to harvest, living laboratories for learning and natural sanctuaries to enrich our quality of life and community.

Members of the Empowering Enrichment D/B/A Rooted in Education board have a combined total of 21 years providing services and/or classes to afterschool elementary and middle communities in Northern Virginia, Maryland, New York and the District of Columbia. Therefore, we have an in-depth knowledge about how these types of afterschool programs are executed and the scholarship funding mechanisms that are available to them.

Since Spring 2017, Empowering Enrichment D/B/A Rooted In Education has consistently awarded grants to schools in Northern Virginia in each of the four annual funding sessions: Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer. Grant awards to date total more than $44,000.00 resulting in more than 360 scholarships to deserving students.

Going forward, we will continue to increase the financial support for access to these vital educational programs. Additionally, in 2021 we have launched a seed and garden program that aims to provide a free, local source to produce that will provide nourishment of both the mind and body to children in our communities and their families.