A belief we couldn’t let go.
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A belief we couldn’t let go. *
Our Story:
When “FoKES” Get Together
Every parent wants their child’s education to be liberating, stimulating, and empowering. So when two people, a parent, and a parent organizer, found those elements lacking at their local elementary school, they banded together to do something about it. With $20 deposited in a bank account and a brand-new name, Friends of Ketcham Elementary School (FoKES) was born.
The Pandemic Roadblock
The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic sent shockwaves through schools throughout the country and the world, and Ketcham Elementary was no exception. The hard work of the families, educators, and community members of FoKES came to an abrupt and earth-shattering halt when school shutdowns forced them to pause and reorganize.
A Community of “FoKES”
What began as a spark of vision for a community-led group that could support students and their families in academic enrichment soon caught flame. FoKES's monthly attendance grew from 2 to 20. Our $20 turned into thousands in donations. Community members used their talents, skills, and resources to support their local community school.
We’re “FoKES” who CARE
Even when their numbers dwindled to five, people met to discuss ways to continue meeting the ever-increasing needs of their community schools. During one such meeting, participants discussed ways to expand the scope of FoKES by serving and impacting more schools in Anacostia. They considered their vision for the youth: to be a community and village for them, to advocate for their needs, to provide resources for their growth, and to increase educational opportunities for classroom success. Community, Advocacy, and Resources for Education; from FoKES, CARE was formed.
“We are each other's harvest; we are each other's business; we are each other's magnitude and bond.”
— Gwendolyn Brooks