Support for Your Family. Success for Your Child.

Coming soon: The Community Empowerment Center at Booker T. Washington opens on July 1!
Schedule an appointment by calling (540) 853-2301 or emailing empowerment@rcps.info.

The RCPS Community Empowerment Center at Booker T. Washington is a new place where families can receive support, ask questions, and get started with Roanoke City Public Schools — all in one spot. Whether you’re new to the area or looking for continued support, we’re here to help your family feel confident and connected. From enrollment assistance to family workshops, the Center supports every stage of your child’s school journey.

Because when families succeed, students succeed.

New to RCPS?

Starting July 1, families can get enrollment support at the new Welcome Center inside the Community Empowerment Center. Whether your child is entering preschool or high school, our team is here to guide you through the process, help with documents, and connect you with services like translation and health resources.

You can still enroll directly at your child’s school. In fact, most families will start the process there. However, you may be referred to the Welcome Center if you need extra support with things like:

• Missing documents (such as immunizations or school physicals)
• Language translation or interpretation
• Help to enroll multiple children across multiple schools
• Additional guidance or help with forms and placement

Some families — such as those referred by Commonwealth Catholic Charities or those enrolling in preschool — will start directly at the Welcome Center.

No matter where you start, our goal is to make enrollment simple and welcoming. We work closely with your child’s school to make sure everything is ready for their first day.

Already Enrolled? We're Also Here for You!

Starting in July and expanding throughout August, more services will become available at the Community Empowerment Center. These services are open to all RCPS families, whether you’ve just enrolled or have been part of our RCPS family for years.

Here's what you can expect:

• Family Resource Room: Food, clothing, hygiene items, and school supplies.
• Health Services: Immunizations, screenings, and referrals through the Virginia Department of Health and other health partners.
• Workshops and Classes: Adult education, parenting support, and financial literacy classes based on community requests. Visit our calendar to view upcoming dates and register.
• Navigation Support: Mental health services, housing stability, and employment pathways are available to students and adults.

Who We Are

The Community Empowerment Center at Booker T. Washington is part of Roanoke City Public Schools and serves all of our students and familes. The Center is the third major initiative in RCPS' Equity in Action Plan, designed to remove barriers and increase access to services that strengthen families.

Located in the historic original Lucy Addison High School building, the Center was shaped by community input. It is operated by RCPS staff in partnership with more than two dozen community organizations that provide workshops, classes, and support services.

We are here to help your family thrive!

You can schedule an appointment by calling us at (540) 853-2301, email us at empowerment@rcps.info, or visit us at 40 Douglass Avenue NW. We are located off Orange Avenue, adjacent to downtown Roanoke.