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Participant Projects


2017


Len Aberra - Initiative to Re-Implement Uniform Policy at John Adams Elementary School
Increase the number of people who support school uniform by reminding the school, parents and students at John Adams of the many great benefits being a uniform school provided

Layla Al Maksud - Elementary School Nutrition
Increase the nutritional value of school lunches and educate children on healthy lifestyles

Mina Aziz - Distributing English Language Brochures
Provide brochures to women in to help find English classes close to their home so that they are able to communicate in society, find jobs, and help their kids with their homework

Yelytza Florero - Grabbing A Habit
Teach children that Oral Hygiene is a personal responsibility that is going to help them avoid dental issues in their future such as cavities, gum disease, tooth aches, tooth extractions, bad breath, bad nutrition, loss of weight, insecurity, low self-esteem and loss of concentration at school

Cecilia Folwkes - A Later Start is Smart
Address the issue of a later school start time in ACPS for the benefit of students

Jenny Giron - Adult English Language Classes in Alexandria
Teach adults in Alexandria English so they can be better advocates for themselves and their communities

Jenny Gutierrez - Mother Nature's Nursery
Use a research project (Mother Nature’s Nursery) to supplement math instruction for CLTI students, utilizing experimental design principles to promote curiosity, inquiry and investigation

David Hawkins - Reading for the Future: A Challenge for Parents
Encourage parents to spend at least 15 minutes a night reading to their children while providing a list resources to find reading material

Deysi Maradiage - What Women Keep Silent
Create a place to provide immigrant women with information on how to obtain counseling and orientation for domestic violence

Farzaneh Mirzavand - Fighting for Wisdom
Collect information and sources about scholarships and financial assistance that do not require a citizenship status for the applicant

Lila Ojha - Alexandria Parents Expression Forum
Help Alexandria's parents engage with their family, especially children, so that they can communicate their values and morals to them

Margarita Vado-Hawkins - A collaborative effort between students and parents and schools
Raise parent involvement in their children's education and eventually raise educational achievement for the community

2016


Jean Roger Bion - Alexandria Rainbow Television 
Youtube channel for reliable news in the City of Alexandria

April Cabral - Let Them Volunteer 
Child friendly volunteer opportunities for families in Alexandria

​Jacenta Collins - GEMS (Girls Empowered to Matriculate Success)
Empowering and mentoring middle school girls

Siham Elousouani - FLES Program for All
Bringing foreign language education to ACPS elementary schools

Emily Gurdon - Pieces of Hope  
Care packages for children affected by domestic violence

Elizabeth Hernandez - Improve Dual Language 
​Improve the dual language program at Mt. Vernon Community School

Isabel Hernandez - Parents Without Limits
Allow non-citizen parents to volunteer in their children's schools

Angelia Hill - Healthy Kids' Future Today 
Educate parents on natural alternatives to children's prescription drugs

Kendra Jacobs - Opening the Door to Girl Scouts
Forming culturally, ethnically and racially diverse troops in Alexandria

Muna Khairi - Every Child Can Read 
Collecting and donating books for ELL students

Zohreh Khoshnamak - Making ACPS Artsy!
Increase teaching through the arts in ACPS

Olena Lloyd - Weekly Teacher Updates
Improve teacher communication to parents about weekly lesson

Anna Karina Marchena - Together we are Strong 
Host PTA Parent Volunteer Fair at ACPS Open Houses

Asha Mede - Request for Early First Grade Placement
Allowing 1st gr. placement for children mastering kindergarten rqmts.

Esteve Mede - No Labels! No Limits! 
Reforming the ACPS TAG program & enrichment for all students

Victoria Morgan - Begin Your Story at Home 
Overcoming homelessness and improving shelter living conditions

Yasmeen Neal - Robotics Competition: Design, Build, Compete 
Providing STEM opportunities for low-income middle school students

Bernardo Ochoa - Cultural Exchange of Traditional Music and Dance 
Exchange of dances and folkloric music across cultures

Cristina Ochoa - Foster Homes for Hispanic Children 
Motivate Spanish speaking people to become foster parents

Lath Addie Rasavong - MacArthur's Rising Stars
Afterschool Homework Help and Tutoring Program

Latonya Robinson - Money Making Minors 
Educating children on ways to earn their own money

Maria Salmeron - Latino Parents in Action 
Helping Latino parents become more involved in ACPS schools

2015


Bernadette Arrington - Bernadette' s Clothes Giveaway
Help a deserving family provide children with clothes and better self esteem

Claudine Sangare - Club Sankofa
An Informational Network of Concerned Parents, Families & Caregivers of Black Children who attend Alexandria City Public Schools

Gloria Agwaze - Educate and Mentor Our Children: Suspension is NOT the Answer!
Transition our children out of suspension and into education and mentoring.

Grace Amesinlola - Construction of Student Bus Stop Shelter in my Neighborhood
Advocate for the comfort and health of the school children at the bus stop in my neighborhood.

Harriet Green - Parents Against ETS, SHS & THS “Environmental Tobacco Smoke, Secondhand Smoke & Third-Hand Smoke”
Get rental property owners to accommodate families who wish not to expose their young children orthemselves to second & third hand smoke

Jennifer Abbruzzese - Equalizing the ACPS Enrollment Policy for Military Families
Changing the regulation so that military families with a child currently enrolled in ACPS can get all of their children into the same school.

Joyce King - Parents' Community Committee for CHANGE
Bring families together, especially foreigners, to form a strong community group to support each other

Joyce Rawlings - The School/Community Connection: Are You On Board?
Encourage parents to stay informed of community resources and read to their children while waiting for services in business establishments

Maria Flor Cerrato - SPACEFT: Single Parents And Children Homework Education Fun Time
Provide an educational homework assistance and learning experience for both the single parent and child

Michael Fuller - THE CITIZEN EXCHANGE SEMINAR
Providing an opportunity for Alexandria’s youth and police leadership to exchange critical ideas and serve the community together.

Pamela Fuller - Pre-K Access
A Strategic Communications Plan to ensure every child in the City of Alexandria receives the early education they need

Sonnja Brown - ServSafe ServRight
Safety and Health Awareness Program To prevent Food Borne Illness in Infants and Young Children!

Victoria Cook - Creative Yogis Seekers
Help children and families to get more involved with art and yoga

2014


Mario Ashby - Men Affecting Change 
Have a larger father/male guardian presence in the schools where black and brown kids 

Erika Basto Eyzaguirre - All aboard Jefferson-Houston! 
Encourage current and incoming families to invest in success at Jefferson-Houston 

Tsion Bezu - Bright Choice For Children 
Enrichment program to develop outstanding homework routines 

Jasmine Broadnax – Text Talk 
Connect parents to educational resources that support strong family involvement 

Jason Elder - Alexandria Education Station 
Provide web and mobile based information on educational opportunities 

Mariam Fikre - Campaign to Build Confidence and Foster an Inclusive Environment 
Help children feel safe and accepted being their authentic self 

Amina Garrett –Transforming Our Communities By Raising Responsible Kids 

Improve the self-esteem and parent involvement to reduce recurring behavioral issues 

Yassmina Hassoun - Engage 

Hire an ACPS parent liaison to provide language translation for families that speak languages other than English and Spanish 

Kristina Hogan - Bring Community Into The Classroom 
Create a stronger social connection and channel information to families through a classroom platform 

Jennifer Hoying - I Can Do It Myself 
Provide a cookbook of healthy options for the kids to snack on when parents are not home

Raena McKinney - Diverse City Kids 

Celebrate diversity while meeting educational standards 

Mabel Nelson - Make Me A Success, Not A Statistic 
Provide attention and encouragement to eliminate school dropouts and encourage good citizenship 

Selena Orona - The Power of 2 Hours 
Increase parent volunteer hours at Patrick Henry Elementary 

Mirian Penayo - Reducing Food Waste In Schools 
Find a way to share extra food from schools with people in need 

Pablo Pineda – Sports Fight Bullying 
Prevent bullying in schools by combining sport activities with lessons on cooperating and caring 

Ursula Pineda - Arte Sin Limites – Arte Sin Barreras 
Provide arts education without boundaries or barriers 

Sabrina Walker – Camp For Enrichment 
Send four children from the ARHA’s Learning Center to Summer camp 

Julia Williams - Parents Get Involved 
Get parents involved with their children life at school 

Roxane Yakoub - What Next? 
An after action plan for victims of bullying and their families

2013


Salma Ahamed - Low Income Families and Children: Life Changes
Help immigrant families understand that language is not an insurmountable challenge to self-improvement by providing resources and neighborhood support groups.  

Aklilu Ayalew - Ethiopian Bread
Enable kids and parents to make informed purchasing decisions by requiring dating on packages of Ethiopian Bread (Injera).  Create an online and community group to advocate with producers to put expiration dates on food packages.  Work with Alexandria Health Department and the FDA to the same end.

Adrienne Barr - Parent Fellowship Circles (faith-based)
Enable families to support and mentor each other to alleviate stressors that can lead to involvement in the child welfare system. Provide instruction by trained volunteer facilitators according to a model used by SCAN.  There will be 3 participating groups- Kinship Care, Healthy Families, and Single Parents.  

Sue Bernstein - Integrating Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Communities Through Play
This project consists of setting up a series of weekend playdates at the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center for the MVCS Community.  The purpose of the playdates is to create informal connections between parents and children from the diverse MVCS community, enhancing the existing dual language program while building a stronger community as MVCS families work together to promote the success of all students and learn from one another.

Carolyn Collins - Parents of At Risk Children (PARC)
Educate parents on their rights in making decisions in their child’s education and help them advocate for their children so that they don’t let the school system fail their children and end up feeling that have also failed their children.

Shannon Craft - Dream Catchers
Providing a one-day annual summer program in which 7-12 year-old at-risk children will interact with the Washington Wizards Basketball players and know that their DREAMS can come TRUE despite the odds and the pressures of today's society.  Players will coach in life skills as well as basketball skills.

Ana Dudamel - Cuidando Nuestra Salud "Muevete"
Discovering that no opportunity exists for exercise for the entire family together in the city programs while seeing the need will be filled, this project arranges a program every other Wednesday at the William Ramsay Recreation Center for family exercise and classes in nutrition, including recruitment of volunteers to prepare nutritious snacks for participants.  

Eliza Engle - Play, Garden, Grow
There has been a disconnect between the food we eat and where it comes from. Developing a garden in the new Jefferson-Houston school will open kids up to how nature works and where food comes from.  This will hopefully lead them to make better choices of the foods they eat and will create healthier kids, possibly creating a greater respect for the environment and nature in general.  

Robert Gross - The World of Words
While focusing on the disproportional placement of minorities in special education, it was discovered that there are beneficial resources that come with such placement.  I will become a resource by Participating in the after school program tutoring Special Education children in Patrick Henry who have either emotional or specific learning disabilities. 

Tilok Kar - Education for Parents
Planning a program for immigrants, including ESL classes, how to provide a learning environment for children, training parents in homework help and understanding of school policies and assessments, including report cards.

Nora Mead - College Pathways

Lakisha Morris - Recharge Your Batteries
Provide family recharge sessions where parents and children, principally from low income, single parent households, can be in a stress free environment and recharge themselves. This session would include mini health lessons that would benefit the whole body, including physical and mental health, relaxation, and healthy eating and cooking. Participants would leave the session not only with hands on training but with knowledge of resources to get additional help; such as food banks, mental health, shelter, clothing resources and other similar community resources. Most importantly they will leave knowing that they are not alone and help is available should they need it!

Pamella Newton - Feed the Need
Engage Parents in Alexandria on proper and healthier eating habits
  • Encourage those parents to be nutritional advocates for their children and other parents
  • To help reduce the obesity statistics within the low income neighborhoods
  • To provide education to those parents on how nutrition and type 2 diabetes are indelibly linked
  • To form a new coalition for these communities to foster positive nutrition, self sufficient gardening and financial engagement to empower the parents to make a positive change for their children

Ysrael Palomino - Children play safely in the sun
Concern about the dangers to children from exposure to the sun and the concomitant under-use of city parks during the heat of the summer led to a project to shade city parks.  

Evelyn Simmons - The ABCs of ANCs
Create joint Advisory Neighborhood Commissions to channel parent concerns to schools. By bringing a holistic discussion about education and school improvement,  collaboration on education could lead to joint recommendations and a common advocacy agenda which would carry much more weight than single ANCs and lead to faster school improvement. 

Sylvia Vaca - Mount Vernon community School Auditorium
Large student body has an auditorium with many needs.  Plan with Principal to improve the light, the sound system, the electric plugs, microphones, and replace some seats.  Bids will be sought and plan to put improvements in place by 2014-2015.

2012


Omelhassan Abdelrhman - Sign Language

Seli Atiase - Special Needs Buddy
Volunteers provide respite for a day

Sharon Crenshaw - Knowledge is Power
GED and advanced degrees for ARHA residents

​LaVon Curtis - BRYCE
Highschoolers mentor elementary students

Elke Daniel - Newcomers Guide
Publish a guide in print and on website

Evon Dennis - 360
Create whole person & family at Community Centers

Angela Drake - Temperature Rising
Provide thermometer to each family

Rihab Elsharif

Stephanie Gilliam - SOS - Sickle Cell
Center for you with preexisting illness

Alexandra Guerra - Parents and Children as One
Support group for neighboring parents and children

Asmaa Hussen - Community Garden
Have children plant outside of school

Fadia Ibrahim - Special Needs Program

Shazia Karim - Influence of Parents on Children's Choice of Books and DVDs
Research Project

Fatima Zahra Liichi - Smile and Hope for Orphans
Support group for foster children

Maria Martinez - Head Start Bus (Redux)
Transporting kids to Jeff Houston Head Start

Eman Mohamed - Arabic Speaking Parent Liaisons at ACPS
Arabic translators at ACPS

Nancy Pereda - Padres Latinos en Accion
Get Latino parents involved

Hector Reyes - School and PTA Awareness
Increase activity of Latino Community

Tasha Robinson - STAT WD
Stop Talking And Texting While Driving

Susan Romani - Un Dia de Accion
Community volunteer day

Iryna Stone - Explore the World
Benefita of education through travel

Kia Terry - TC Little Titan Center
​Help educate teen mothers

2011


Mirna Diaz - Parents Make the Difference
Organizing Latino parents to volunteer for school activites with a view to helping Latino children adjust and learn

Aissatou Dicko - Bienvenue a ACPS
French Welcome Manual to ACPS for African immigrants

Soad Elhawawshy - Avoiding Teen Pregnancy
Assist with ACAP program

Laila Elhezzat - Tools to Success
Help immigrant community mothers adjust to ACPS including English instruction

Katherine Fogden - Native American Youth Council
Support group for Native American children and their parents

Sisay Gobeze - Cracking Teen Text Lingo
Inform parents of meaning of texting abbreviations with a view to keeping kids safe

Bruce Grimes - TAG ID
Early identification of gifted and talented students

Charlene Jeanes - BLUE: Believe Unite Educate
Coalition of educators, legislators and community members working to eliminate the achievement gap by training parents to teach children at home

Daniel De & Roxana Lauchu - Diversity and Multicultural Festival
Dress, food, and entertainment from Alexandria's many cultures

Leonora Mejia - Let's End Teen Drug Abuse
Launch Latino Parent Leadership chat group for Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria

Hamid Mitchell - Peer Professors
​Students tutoring students outside of school hours on an ongoing, committed basis

Jeaneth Paredes - Get out of the classroom!
Add physical education to the school day

Norman Price - Teens can learn etiquette
Teach Untouchable mentees etiquette in life and in job-seeking

Isabel Sacotingo - A small kitting and sewing club
Teach Ramsey after-school kids to sew and knit

Mazahir Salih - Buses for Head Start
Persuade ACPS to provide Head Start buses

Ajit Singh - Safe and Secure
Train middle schoolers in internet safety

Dana Vo - Children's Play Date
Provide after school and weekend activities for elementary school students

2010


Aissa Arenas - Building a Better Community: Working together for kids' success

Chyrell Bucksell - Community to Community Education Survey

Marsha Dionne - Alexandria Community Learning Expo

Andrea Fus - Cora Kelly Pupil Transportation Outreach Project

Ramee Gentry - Parent to Parent web-based link for questions and answers

Akberet Habte - Connecting Special Education Program with Parents

Gloria Jacobs - Assist Special Needs Teachers in the Classroom

Karen Jenkins - The Professional African-American Speaker Series (PASS)

Rieko Mitchell - ​Ramsey Cleans Up- children spend a day building pride in their school community

Jacqueline Mitchell-Hunter - Cub Scouting: a Multi-Cultural outreach plan

​Jennifer Murphy - Money Smart for Young Adults:  A Financial Literacy Program

Josephine Pombor - Preventing Bullying in Elementary Schools

Crystal Prall - Teen Pregnancy in Alexandria - Helping Emotionally Support Teen Moms

Lisa Robillard - Family Day:  A day to eat dinner with your children

Mary Scott - Keep Your Head Up Nurturing Program- involve parents in ARHA Learning Resource Center

Martha-Helene Stapleton - Del Ray Needs- a video project​

Inkutatash Teferi - Parents Supporting Parents

Tara Wilson - Unify Youth: at-risk youth forum at Charles Houston Rec Center

2009


Suad Al Halabi - No Family Left Behind
Increase families' understanding of SOLs at Polk School

Mario Avalos - Good Grades for a Group of Students
Increase number of minority teens enrolled in AP or honors courses through a mentorship program

Myra Compton-Jabati - Membership has its Privileges
Increase John Adams PTA membership 

Maryann Duffy - Polk PTA Net Connect
Increase flow of information to Polk PTA members

Tanya Duggins - Advocate for a Child (Court Appointed Special Advocates)​
Serve as and recruit Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for children

Taheensa Hamid - Recycle and the Environment
Promote recycling within neighboring apartment complexes

Joyce Jefferson - Hip Hop N U (After School Activity)​
Organize a hip hop dance club as an after-school activity 

Bob Lanier, Jr. - Menpower
Harnessing the Power of Men for Mentoring

Sofia Martel - Preparing Hispanic Teenagers to Become Responsible Parents​
Facilitate workshops for teens and young adults

Jacky Mukuna - School Bus Safety
​Ensure students a safe ride to and from school

Jeff Murphy - Rugby GRAD: Growth, Retention and Development of young men

Salman Mussarat - My Study Buddy
Pair older students with young ones in need of mentoring

La Rhonda Newman - Fostercare Awareness and Recruitment​
Recruit foster parents to fill extraordinary gap

Rosa Ortiz - Seamos Conectados
Publish and distribute flyers in Spanish to inform Latino parents of community and school activities

Sahr Pombor - Reading with Our Community (ROC): Reading works of African writers​
Form adult group reading works of African writers to help the community better understand the strings that bind

K. Hope Schutte - Nodal Point
Help youth aging out of foster care to achieve secure, productive independence

Laverne Thomas - Not Forgotten
Empower young teens through mentoring

2008


Valeria Antelo - ESL Power-Las Vencedores (Winners) 
School hour extra-curricular club for middle school girls

Norka Antelo - How to help improve the reading levels of ESL Students at GW Middle School​

Mariana Luisa Araque - Building a Community of Parent Leaders, One Parent at a Time- web based hub​

Leticia Arriaga - Hispanic Parents at MacArthur
Meetings to familiarize parents with school rules and children’s needs

Mleate Asmare - Save Ethiopian Children’s Identity
Native language program

C. Nathalie Corbin - Welcome Home
Brookville Townhomes Welcoming Committee

Celia Estrada - How to Advocate for your Child’s Success in the Alexandria School System

Cassandra Ford - Club W.O.W.- Words Our Weapons
Debating club for middle school

Michael Hartwell - Children and Youth Connecting with People with Disabilities and Elderly

Madhavi Hotha - Parent Involvement
Increase parental involvement at Ramsey

Caroline Hudert - Marina Kids Klub
Network of support for neighbors with children

Karima Ibn El Farouk - Help Immigrants to Integrate

George Kauffer - Safety and Awareness of Alexandria Bike and Walking Trails

Elizabeth Kauffer - Different Cultures=One Community in Alexandria
Networking opportunities for Asian American professionals

Rosa Landeros - From Neighbors to Friends
Integrating communities through cultural sharing, a program for Mt. Vernon parents

Guadalupe Silva-Krause - Parent Access to Computer Resources
Training in and use of computers at T.C. Williams

Doris Stanley - ​Grandparents Raising Alexandria’s Children Effectively

2007


Nathir Ahmad - TEENS UP
Training for teens for employment in the security profession

Marixza Alvarado - Connecting with our community to ensure a better future
Neighborhood support group for immigrants

Marilyn Bryant - RTAC
Relocating to the Alexandria Community- Relocation guide for new City residents

Bill Campbell - Reconnecting the village
Neighborhood newsletter, neighborhood watch, and adopt-a-block (anti-litter) program

Bill Cleveland - Volunteer help for the Montgomery Street Resource Learning Center

Hortensia Corcino - Opportunities are out there
Resource of education and training opportunities for immigrant families with young adults aged 16-21 who are not eligible for high school enrollment

Roxana De Lauchu - For building better futures
Outreach with the goal of recruitment of volunteers to enhance the Bienvenidos program

Stacey Grigsby - Literacy monitoring program - k-2
Tutoring students who need extra help

Tigist Heiba - Summer program for children in the mosque

Kimberly Neill - Neighbors helping neighbors
Collection of recyclable household goods, toys and clothing for donation to local charities

Claritza (Cathy) Santiago - Learning Is Personal Success (LIPS)
Reading tutoring program for Hammond 8th graders (Cathy Santiago was an ACPS Partners in Education Award Winner)

Claudia Spencer - Hispanic parents come together
Hispanic parents support group for sharing of educational and other services available in the city

Gloria Spottswood - National Single Parents' Network -Alexandria
Day of programs to support single parent families

Shana Terry - What do you want to do when you graduate from high school?
Workshops for teens to attend presentations on career choices at the Family Resource Learning Center

Jeneen Tilghman - A voice for teens
Workshop for teenage girls on safe sex
About Us
PLTI Alexandria People's Assembly
PO Box 652
Alexandria VA 22313  
703-739-0233
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  • Programs
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    • Affordable Housing Advocacy Film Showcase
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