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.
Be the SPARK
Our Partners
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 2024-25 school year.
Serena Williams inspired this 8th grader at John Rolfe to pick up a racket and play tennis. As a new Richmond region resident, she was excited to learn tennis was offered at school. Playing singles and doubles this fall introduced her to new friends and helped her find a sense of belonging in her new community. Tennis has also helped this Spark learn to advocate for herself. She’s looking forward to continuing her Virginia athletic adventure by running short distance track in the spring and playing tennis next year in high school. Participating in sports introduces students to new friendships and be a part of their school community!
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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.