SPARK
School Activities
When middle school students participate in music, sports, and the arts, they discover new talents, grow in confidence, and develop leadership skills. However, for families in our area facing financial hardship, the cost of equipment and fees can be overwhelming.
Together, we can remove these barriers. With your help, Start 1 Spark provides students in need with the means to participate in their school's extracurricular activities.
Ignite Potential
Transform the future
42% of public school students in Henrico and 33% in Chesterfield are economically disadvantaged and may not be able to afford what they need to join sports teams, play an instrument, or be part of school clubs.
We are excited to partner with these schools for the 2025-26 school year.
This 8th grader at John Rolfe Middle School has played basketball since she was a little kid and wants to keep playing it in high school. As a center, she loves having to run all over the court - which makes her ambitions of doing track like her brother make sense. She wants to get involved in shot put and discus as well. Playing basketball makes her feel like a “real athlete”, like her favorite player, Flau’jae Jackson - who plays for Louisiana State University. Basketball is a great way for this Spark to manage her emotions and help take everything less seriously and more fun. Sports are an incredible mental outlet to pour focus and effort into!
Student Activities
Arts
Clubs
Monthly Newsletter
Music
Sports
About
It started with one idea:
how to connect community members who want to help with students who need assistance. With lots of brainstorming and collaboration, Start 1 Spark was born. The focus on extracurricular activities addresses a current need while developing the next generation. Extracurricular activities allow students to discover their passions, become leaders, improve communication skills, and explore creative outlets. These extracurriculars are more than a luxury, it’s an opportunity to reveal the student’s potential.