VIRGINIA BEACH, VA: Last week, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) visited An Achievable Dream Academy at Seatack Elementary School to present $1,961,000 in federal dollars she secured for the program in the Fiscal Year 2024 government funding bills. This funding will ensure An Achievable Dream, a K-12 program that provides high-quality, cost-effective education services to high-risk youth and their families, has the resources necessary to support its students. Specifically, it will help An Achievable Dream provide enhanced mental health and academic support through enrichment activities, extended day programming, the employment of trauma-informed specialists, career planning, and more. 

Congresswoman Kiggans was joined by Rosemary Wilson, Virginia Beach Vice Mayor; Mike Callan, Virginia Beach School Board Member; Jennifer Franklin, Virginia Beach School Board Member; Dr. Donald Robertson, Superintendent, Virginia Beach City Public Schools; Matthew Fischi, Principal of Seatack Elementary School; Christopher Bracey, Director of An Achievable Dream Academy at Seatack Elementary; and Amanda Rose, Chief Administrative Officer, An Achievable Dream Academy. During the visit at Seatack Elementary School, they greeted students on their way to class and observed a morning assembly. Additionally, Congresswoman Kiggans presented a check for government funding to local and school officials. Pictures from the visit can be found here.

“I firmly believe every child deserves a high-quality education,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “That’s why I was proud to secure this important federal funding for An Achievable Dream here in Virginia Beach. As a parent, I know when you show kids the possibility of what their futures can be, there’s no stopping them. These resources will help do just that by putting students first and equipping their teachers with the tools they need to ensure success for the next generation.”

“Congresswoman Kiggans’ support and endorsement of this Community Project Funding, along with Senator Warner, Senator Kaine, and Congressman Scott, allows us to continue to provide important resources and expand supports for our Dreamers and their families,” said Dr. Lee Vreeland, President & CEO of An Achievable Dream. “Thank you for believing in our Dreamers and supporting An Achievable Dream.”

BACKGROUND: 

Congresswoman Kiggans secured $16,755,000 for 12 local projects across Southeast Virginia in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, which was signed into law on March 9, 2024. More information about this project can be found below:

An Achievable Dream Virginia Beach, Inc.: $1,961,000

• As a mom of four, Congresswoman Kiggans is committed to supporting education programs that work best for students and firmly believes that every child deserves a high-quality education. She secured this funding to support An Achievable Dream’s efforts to provide high-quality, child-centered, cost-effective, community-based services to high-risk youth and their families.
• This funding will help provide enhanced mental health support through greater use of trauma-informed specialists, extended day programming with proper staff support, enrichment activities serve to broaden students’ horizons, classes to teach social and emotional skills to prepare students for success, career planning, promoting a positive group identity, and parent involvement.

Additional details about the other projects Congresswoman Kiggans secured in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, can be found here.

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