Our Story
A belief we couldn’t let go.
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.
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 original membership of two surged to a monthly attendance of over twenty and $20 turned into thousands in donations. Community members used their talents, skills, and resources to support their local community school.
Broken to Rebuilt
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.
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. And from FoKES, CARE was formed.
-
Pat Philippe earned his Bachelor’s in Accounting and Finance from Philadelphia University, and he currently serves as the Vice President of Community Impact at Goodwill of Greater Washington. Pat leads a team of cross-functional workforce development professionals with the planning and evaluation of existing and new high-impact workforce development programs. He brings years of experience in workforce development and performance management from government, private, and non-profit sectors to the CARE Anacostia team. He lives in Historic Anacostia, DC with his beautiful wife and two amazing daughters.
-
TaNeesha Johnson has been a resident of Washington, DC, for most of her adult life. After attending Trinity Washington University as an undergraduate and American University for graduate school, focusing on American History and Political Science, she sought to serve in ways that allowed her to witness and gain insight into issues that proved challenging for communities to thrive and maintain resiliency. Working with CARE aligns with this goal, and TaNeesha anticipates making a difference while addressing education disparities in the city.
-
Jhonna Turner knew her career would revolve around student advocacy at an early age. In a minor student exchange program, she saw the sharp contrast between what her school received and what students in affluent communities were offered. Her thirst for advocacy continued as she attended a Historically Black College and University, and the power of investment to create opportunities for all to flourish clicked. Twenty years later, serving in various roles in Washington, DC, she is joining both beliefs together: advocacy and investment. To change systems, she believes you must address the root cause of the inequities in public education and also provide the resources now to ensure all have the opportunities to live up to their highest potential. She is one of the proud founders of the CARE Washington, DC, Movement.
-
Though currently serving as a teacher at Ketcham Elementary School in Anacostia, Joyce Pendleton’s career path didn’t start that way. After receiving a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, a Master’s in Telecommunications Management, and a Master’s in Teaching, Joyce spent 30 years in corporate America. Only then did she step out on faith and follow her dream of becoming a teacher. She began as a substitute teacher with DCPS in 2013, and her time at Ketcham started in 2015. Joyce was soon invited back to serve as a paraprofessional and later was offered a teaching position. CARE Anacostia is meaningful to Joyce because she wants her students to have every opportunity to become successful.
-
Christina Hanson’s educational journey began with an early love of learning instilled by her parents. She became a proud UNC Tar Heel and NCCU Eagle during her college years and is currently in her 18th year as a public school educator. Christina has served as an Instructional Aide, Special Education Teacher, Teacher Leader, Resident Principal, and Assistant Principal. A parent herself, Christina believes the work of CARE helps her live out her belief that every child deserves family, educators, and community members who will work together with passion and purpose to remove barriers and create lifelong learners who achieve excellence. Christina currently resides in Ward 7 and volunteers with Girls on the Run-DC and National Community Church in her free time.
Pillars of Progress
Today, CARE Anacostia is strategically and intentionally working together to provide safe schools, promote student joy, and create a cohesive learning environment during school transitions, leading to improved student outcomes. Our four Pillars of CARE uphold and support this mission and vision for our community’s youth.
C – Community: uplifting our stakeholders--the neighbors, guardians, educators, and leaders
A – Advocacy: dismantling injustice and reforming educational inequities in our community schools
R – Resources: raising funds and mobilizing community support
E – Education: partnering with educators to enhance the educational experiences of their students
At CARE Anacostia, we believe the adage “It takes a village to raise a child” has life and meaning that can revolutionize public education in our community and beyond.
“We are each other's harvest; we are each other's business; we are each other's magnitude and bond.” — Gwendolyn Brooks.
“We are each other's harvest; we are each other's business; we are each other's magnitude and bond.”
— Gwendolyn Brooks