Education Equity Fund of Alexandria

The Education Equity Fund of Alexandria (EEFA) was born out of necessity during Covid, to support the children and families living in the Atkins Public Housing attending Maury (now Naomi L Brooks) Elementary School. These students-artists, athletes, AND most of all valued members of our community- needed support and tutoring to keep up with their schooling and manage the isolation caused by Covid. And the parents/guardians, all single-mother heads of household, needed support as they tried to balance their careers and the needs of their children. Initially, a beloved former teacher (Ms. Amy Leslie) agreed to take a one-year leave of absence and tutor her former students during this year of uncertainty. The students and families loved the support and the results spoke for themselves...so the fund continued when the students returned to school in the fall of 2021. 

Today EEFA offers a Student Support program designed to provide comprehensive, wraparound services for students and families. This program focuses on building strong relationships with students, parents, and guardians to ensure they have access to vital resources and support for academic, social, and emotional growth.

Through this program, the Student Support Coordinator works directly with students to assess and address their needs, including tutoring, mentoring, after-school programs, and summer opportunities. The coordinator assists students with signing up for programs, monitors their engagement, and ensures they are connecting with necessary academic or support services. The program also promotes college and career readiness, and executive functioning skills, and provides access to community resources for basic needs.

The program engages with families by keeping them informed about school updates and resources, and securing necessary resources for families. The coordinator also works with school staff to advocate for students and communicate their needs to ensure they receive the best possible support.

Additionally, the Student Support Coordinator reviews academic progress, including standardized test results and quarterly report cards, to help students set academic goals and access tutoring and support services. The coordinator also encourages participation in college readiness programs such as AVID.

Through regular reporting and ongoing communication with the EEFA board, the program ensures that the needs of students and families are continuously addressed and that students have the tools and support to succeed academically and personally.

While EEFA began as a way to support and help students and families through Covid, distance learning, and social isolation, it has turned into much more. Through the wonderful work and efforts of Ms. Amber Hill (the Student Support Coordinator) and the donations of Alexandria community members, EEFA has built a trusting and safe space for all EEFA students and families. 

Here are just a few ways EEFA has supported students and families through the years: 

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• avigated complicated medical and housing issuese
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• couraged moms to complete their educationpu
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• chased or found via donation basic housing needs (i.e. washer/dryers, mattresses, furniture, cookware, etc.)cel
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• brated big milestonesiden
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• ified and enrolled students in ACPS and ALX programs that enhance their education and training (ie. EIP program and Cornerstone Craftsman apprenticeship)enrol
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• ed students in summer camps and youth city employment programsprovid
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• d back-to-school shoes and backpacks and gift cards for holiday mealsinforme
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• parents and students of important ACPS forms, deadlines, and eventshelped p
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• rents navigate the 504 and IEP process, and so much more. Parents h
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e shared valuable feedback on the impact of the program:I found man

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• aspects of this program helpful. My children have another outlet beyond family, they engage in conversations about responsibility, and they receive the support they need to be their best selves.This program


• is wonderful, and I am so grateful for the support me and my family have received from it. Thanks for everything!I appreciate the support we've received from the program. My son, who d
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• esn't usually open up to many people, has opened up in this program, which has been wonderful and extremely helpful. I am grateful for all the support provided to both of us. The program ha
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• been beneficial in many ways and has made a positive contribution to our lives and the lives of other participants.Everyone has be
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• n very supportive and resourceful, and I really appreciate it.Thank you all so


• much. The program is very helpful and informative. I love the connection it provides to different programs for my son.Students have sha
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d valuable feedback on the impact of the program:Ms. Amber helped me

• with controlling my anger and managing my grades.I learned that going


• to class on time is very very important and Ms Amber helped me to come up with a good plan to be on time for class.That Ms Amber is very


• caring and always wants the best for me…


•