Big Congratulations to Our Very Own Kevina Brown!
On Wednesday, August 13, 2025, the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) awarded Kevina with the RAMP Coordinator Award !!!
Image: (Left to Right) Director of Programs Hannah Roberts, Manager of Youth Programs Paul Whitney, RAMP Program Coordinator Kevina Brown, and Peer Mentor Carlos Marquez. Kevina is holding her award.
RAMP Makes Waves at the Reston Cardboard Boat Regatta!
On August 9, 2025, RAMP participants went out to the waters and competed in the Reston Cardboard Boat Regatta. RAMP's boat stayed afloat and all stayed dry!!
Image: RAMP participants rowing and competing in the Reston Cardboard Boat Regatta.
RAMP is Flying into Education
In June, the Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program participated in STEM Learning.
They wrapped up June with a thrilling and educational trip to iFLY Indoor Skydiving in Ashburn, VA!
Image: Two RAMP students experiencing ifly skydiving in an air vacuum.
Summer RAMP Program is in Full Lift-Off Mode
On Friday June 13, 2025, ECNV’s Summer RAMP program enjoyed time at Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, VA.
Image: Group of ECNV students and staff pose in front of Space Shuttle Discovery, which is on display in the James S. McDonnell Space at the Air & Space Museum in Chantilly, VA. Discovery was the third Space Shuttle orbiter to fly in space. From 1984 to 2012, Discovery flew 39 Earth-orbital missions, spent a total of 365 days in space, and traveled almost 240 million km (150 million mi) —more than the other orbiters. NASA transferred Discovery to the Smithsonian in April 2012 after a delivery flight over the nation's capital.
RAMP in Action: Full Speed on Activities
RAMP has been ramping up between January-May 2025.
ECNV Attended the Flip the Script on Aging Event
On Thursday May 15, 2025, Andrew Shaw and Karla Nativi attended the Flip the Script on Aging event at Oakwood Meadow Senior Residences.
Image: male in red shirt and female in blue blouse sit at outreach table
RAMP Update: March 2025
RAMP Mentee and Mentors are making connections. January 2025, we celebrated Mentor Appreciate Month. Mentees and Mentors gathered at David and Busters to celebrate and socialize. Students are currently spending time talking about their community and their perspective careers during the month of February, as well as learn about different leaders in honor of Black History Month.
RAMP Coordinator Kevina Brown at Volunteer Fest 2024
On Friday, November 1, 2024, Kevina Brown attended Volunteer Fest at the PARC at Tysons. Kevina participated in the Tyson Forest Park clean up. This was a rewarding experience in which she was able to assist and support the community as well as explore incentives and activities for the Ready to Achieve Mentor Program (RAMP).
Collage: Kevina Brown wearing a bright yellow safety vest, close-up selfie; Other volunteers walking towards a metro escalator; A group of volunteers wearing yellow safety vests; A female volunteer at the Tyson's Forest Clean-up table.
RAMP Update: November 2024
RAMP Update for November 2024.
Image: RAMP logo with the program name spelled out beneath it, Read to Achieve Mentoring Program.
RAMP Update: October 2024
RAMP Update for October 2024.
Image: RAMP logo with the program name spelled out beneath it, Read to Achieve Mentoring Program.
RAMP Update: September 2024
RAMP Update for September 2024.
Image: A group photo of RAMP mentors and students.
RAMP Mini Update: July 2024
RAMP Mini Update for July 2024.
A group photo of RAMP students at Bowlero event.
RAMP Fourth Quarter Celebration
On June 14, 2024, Mentees, parents, and siblings gathered for a Final Celebration at Bowl America in Fairfax, Virginia.
Image: RAMP participants pose with their certificates in hand.
RAMP Mini Update: June 2024
RAMP Mini Update for June 2024.
Collage: RAMP attendees visiting Jake’s Ice Cream in Falls Church, VA; a group photo of RAMP students.
RAMP Mini Update: May 2024
RAMP Mini Update for May 2024.
A group of mentees posing together, each holding up their drinks in celebration of the insightful experience
RAMP March is Dedicated to Interviewing Professions
During March, Mentees, Mentors, and Parents participated in activities geared toward gaining and practicing interviewing skills. Mentees participated virtually and in person to learn about different careers and opportunities.
Collage: RAMP students and mentees pose for a group photo at Enabled Intelligence; (bottom left), Mentees and Parents are introduced to Cloud Careers; (bottom right), Mentees and parents observe the planet, which shows Facebook users worldwide.
What’s New with RAMP?
January was an exciting month for our program as students entered the world of career exploration during our dedicated Career Road Maps initiative. The month allowed students to connect with their mentors and the mentor coordinator, engaging in discussions and exploring diverse career paths. Students engaged in group activities, including Career Jeopardy and Career Colleges, and debated about money and why it matters in life and future goals.
Image: 5 mentees, their families, and Kevina Brown captured in a picture at the ECNV office where students and parents complete a career/futuristic collage geared toward perspective career interest.
What’s Going on with RAMP?
On December 8th, we hosted the First Quarter Celebration activity at Bowl America in Fairfax. The event brought together an impressive turnout of five mentees, six parents, and one sibling. Initially, students approached the event hesitantly, but as time progressed, they collectively embraced the opportunity to celebrate the completion of Phase One of the program.
Collage: Four mentees and their parents standing inside of a fire station. A firetruck is parked behind them while their attention is focused on a speaker not in the photograph; 5 mentees, their families, and Kevina Brown posing for a picture at Bowl America. The lanes are in the background of the photo.
What’s New with RAMP?
Students and mentees have been actively engaging with mentors and the mentor coordinator to establish meaningful connections. They have successfully completed career assessments, laying the foundation for their career exploration journey. Participants are gaining valuable insights into their communities by identifying local resources and assets. This experience also involves understanding the unique characteristics of different communities and how they impact diverse populations.
Image: Mentees and their families posing in front of the Oreo Museum of Failure exhibit.