Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA

by Story Tapestries Inc.
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Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA
Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA
Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA
Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA
Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA
Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA
Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA
Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA
Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA
Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA
Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA
Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA
Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA
Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA
Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA
Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA
Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA
Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA
Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA
Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA
Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA
Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA
Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA
Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA
Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA
Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA
Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA
Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA
Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA

Project Report | Mar 20, 2025
Celebrating Brilliant Futures

By Lorienne Beals | Chief Development Officer

Clayton Evans, CREATE Arts & Arianna Ross, ST
Clayton Evans, CREATE Arts & Arianna Ross, ST

Story Tapestries is thrilled to share this story from The Community Foundation featuring the programs we are collaborating to support at Jackson Road Elementary School.

“For many of these kids, they have to make do with less. The arts give them back that perspective so they can dream big and work towards their own Brilliant Future.”

In February, friends and supporters of The Community Foundation gathered in Montgomery County’s East-County region to learn how recent investments in education are impacting families in the community.

The event took place at Jackson Road Elementary School – one of two schools in the region participating in Brilliant Futures – a children’s savings pilot program that provides students with up to $1,000 each year from kindergarten through 12th grade.

The program – which launched at the school in June 2024 – is the result of a public-private partnership between The Community Foundation and Montgomery County Public Schools.

It takes a community to be able to raise thriving children,” shared Michelle, whose daughter is a first grader participating in the Brilliant Futures program.

“Thanks to the Greater Washington Community Foundation and all of you, my daughter’s future is no longer “a maybe.” There’s a plan set in stone to make it a reality and I am less anxious about her future, thanks to this blessing.”

 “This is such a wonderful opportunity,” added Stephanie, whose son is also a first grader participating in Brilliant Futures. “I’m so thankful for everyone here for taking the time to focus on kids and giving them hope for their futures.”

“As parents, we are so happy that our children will have resources they need to achieve their dreams and their goals,” Viky, mother of a Brilliant Futures Kindergartner. “On behalf of all the parents, thank you for supporting Brilliant Futures!”

Following the testimonials from the parents, visitors heard from two nonprofit panels about the work that partners are doing to support students and their families.

“What I love about our work here is that we’re all working towards the same goal – setting kids up for success later on in life,” shared Kathy Hedge, Executive Director of Parent Encouragement Program (PEP) – a nonprofit dedicated to supporting parents and fostering stronger relationships between children and their caregivers.

PEP has partnered with The Community Foundation to facilitate the Brilliant Futures program including onboarding new families and helping to connect with additional resources and information to set their child up for success.

“Our primary goal is to support the parents,” shared Colleen Reed, PEP’s Program Director. “We recognize that the best way to help our students unlock their full potential – their Brilliant Futures – is to make sure we’re empowering and enabling that family both in and outside of the classroom.”

Since June, PEP has held a number of workshops with parents, ranging from how to prepare for a parent-teacher conference to tricks for the morning rush to ensure kids get to school on time– as well as answering questions from parents about the Brilliant Futures program. Workshops are made available in English, French, Spanish, and Vietnamese – a language offering that reflects the diverse make-up of the community.

“Parents have told us just how much more connected they feel to the school since the launch of Brilliant Futures,” Reed added. “They’re more excited for their kids’ futures; the possibilities that are available to them. It’s been incredible to watch.”

Visitors also heard from CREATE Arts Center and Story Tapestries – two arts-based nonprofit organizations who are partnering with Jackson Road Elementary to provide art programming geared to support mental health and wellbeing.

The arts create a common ground where people can come together and process emotions,” Clayton Evans, Executive Director of CREATE Arts Center and a program facilitator at Jackson Road shared. SMART Kids, a CREATE Arts Center program, challenges children to express themselves through therapeutic art such as journaling and visual arts. “For young kids, it’s especially crucial because it gives them an opportunity to be seen and heard, while processing their emotions.”

We’re giving them the tools of positive mental health – but also the tools to dream big and imagine what’s possible,” added Arianna Ross, CEO of Story Tapestries, which has custom designed their program to fit the needs of Jackson Road Elementary’s families, with a special focus on supporting mental health.

“For many of these kids, they have to make do with less. The arts give them back that perspective so they can dream big and work towards their own Brilliant Future.”

The partnership between CREATE Arts Center, Story Tapestries, and Jackson Road Elementary was made possible by Donors Investing in the Visual Arts (also known as the DIVAs), a well-established giving circle for donors in Montgomery County.

Since 2005, the DIVAs have invested in a wide range of organizations helping children across the county get connected to and engaged in the arts. After learning of The Community Foundation’s partnership with Jackson Road Elementary through Brilliant Futures, the group made the decision to focus their grantmaking efforts to provide additional support for families at the school.

“It was an easy decision,” shared Francie Hester, a long-time member of the DIVAs. “We realized that we had a chance to be part of something bigger – partnering with the school and The Community Foundation to strengthen this community. It’s exciting to team up and have a hand in building these unique partnerships.

Story Tapestries is thrilled to be partnering with The Community Foundation, the DIVAs, and CREATE Arts to bring the power of the arts to students at Jackson Road Elementary School.

Michelle, mother of a 1st grade participant
Michelle, mother of a 1st grade participant
Artwork from Jackson Road Elementary students
Artwork from Jackson Road Elementary students

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Feb 7, 2025
Art is Brain Magic!

By Jamie Cowan | Early Childhood Program Director

Oct 10, 2024
The Power of the Arts: A Lifeline for Students

By Jessica Wallach | Digital Content & Accessibility Manager

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Organization Information

Story Tapestries Inc.

Location: Poolesville, MD - USA
Website:
Facebook: Facebook Page
Twitter: @storytapestriesengage
Project Leader:
Arianna Ross
Germantown , Maryland United States
$49,882 raised of $55,000 goal
 
1,157 donations
$5,118 to go
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