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Parents and students urge Herndon council to act after county-funded afterschool program faces June cut
Summary
Multiple parents, students and program alumni told the council that the county-funded Kids and Parent Engagement (CAPE) afterschool program at the Herndon Neighborhood Resource Center will lose funding after June 30; Mayor LeBlanc said the program is county-funded and that he is working with county organizers to seek solutions.
Public comment at the May 26 Herndon Town Council meeting was dominated by pleas to save a county-funded afterschool program at the Herndon Neighborhood Resource Center known as the Kids and Parent Engagement program (CAPE). Several parents, students and program alumni described CAPE as crucial to academic support, social development and family stability and said they were told the program’s funding would not continue past June 30.
Hapas Yengalu, who said he works for Cornerstones but was speaking in a personal capacity, told the council, “we were notified... that funding is no longer going to be available to continue it past June 30.” Samantha Moreno Jimenez, a program participant for five years, described CAPE as “enrichment programs that are crucial for the development of academic success and social skills” and urged the council to help keep the programs alive. Several parents and students echoed those concerns, noting the short notice and the program’s role as a safe place for children and a support resource for working families.
Speakers repeatedly named Karen Pope, the CAPE director, and credited her 15 years of service and the program’s role in improving attendance, grades and family engagement. A child participant and multiple parents gave emotional testimony about the disruption that a sudden closure would cause and asked the council to intervene.
Mayor LeBlanc responded for the record that the program is county-funded and that he had been notified of the situation on Thursday; he said he is “working with some of your community organizers... in order to liaise with the county” to explore options. The council did not adopt any formal motion or allocate town funds during the meeting; instead, the mayor committed to follow up with county officials and community organizers.
Why it matters: Dozens of families told the council that CAPE provides academic support, childcare stability and case management help that many working families rely on. A program closure at the end of June would affect children’s summer care and afterschool routines unless alternative funding or arrangements are secured.
Next steps: The mayor said he will liaise with county partners and local organizers; parents indicated they will bring additional testimony to upcoming council meetings. The program’s funding status after those conversations was not resolved at the May 26 meeting.
