Services & Partners

The Community Empowerment Center at Booker T. Washington offers one-stop support for RCPS families by bringing key services and trusted partners together under one roof.

Services for Families

Welcome Center

School enrollment for all grade levels

Translation and interpretation services

Navigation support for RCPS programs

Family Resource Room

Food pantry, clothing closet, and hygiene items

School supplies and backpacks

Basic needs referrals

Health Services

Immunizations and screenings

Insurance accepted, and sliding scale for those without insurance

Mental and physical wellness navigation

Workshops & Classes

Adult education and GED preparation

Financial literacy and budgeting

Parenting support and child development

Job readiness and employment services

Community Navigation

Mental health support

Housing stability resources

Employment and training opportunities

Our Partners

RCPS Departments
RCPS departments housed in the Center, or providing services in the Center, include:
- Family & Community Engagement
- Student Success & Support Services
- English Learners
- McKinney-Vento Program
- Preschool
- Special Education
Blue Ridge Literacy
Located in the main library building in downtown Roanoke, Blue Ridge Literacy (BRL) is a community-based organization offering a wide range of English literacy services to adults in the Roanoke Valley. Since 1985, BRL has helped adults reach their life goals through English literacy skills.

In partnership with the Community Empowerment Center, BRL:
- Supports family engagement and school involvement by offering English and digital literacy instruction to parents of RCPS students, helping families navigate school communications and participate more fully in their children's education.
- Provides foundational skills for broader civic participation, including English instruction and citizenship preparation, helping immigrant and refugee parents take active roles in their communities and school systems.
- Strengthens community connections by partnering with RCPS to expand access to functional literacy services and help families better understand and utilize local resources and school systems.
Commonwealth Catholic Charities

Commonwealth Catholic Charities provides school liaisons that work with families and Roanoke City Public Schools to provide support for enrollment and school navigation. Liaisons have office hours at the Community Empowerment Center to support families who visit the Center. In addition, CCC hosts workshops at the Center related to cultural responsiveness.
Family Wellness Roanoke/Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare
The following services are offered at the Community Empowerment Center:
- 1-hour Adverse Childhood Experiences training for parents/caregivers: According to the CDC, Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs, are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood (0–17 years). This training helps parents or caregivers to gain a better understanding of childhood trauma, and ways to build resiliency.
- Make Parenting A Pleasure® Second Edition is an evidence-based program designed to strengthen parents and caregivers of children birth-teen through interactive group activities and skill-building sessions. Emphasis is on the importance of individual self-care and stress management, along with strategies for creating strong parent/child bonds, all of which become the solid foundation that children need to succeed in today’s world. Parents/caregivers will have two formats to choose from based upon their needs: Four week/once-a-week 2-hour program or Individualized 1-hour programs
Financial Empowerment Center (Freedom First Credit Union)
Freedom First Credit Union's Financial Empowerment Center offers the following services at the Community Empowerment Center:
- No cost, judgment-free, one-on-one financial counseling
- AFC® Certified counselors with a broad range of financial expertise
Greater Roanoke Workforce Development Board
The Greater Roanoke Workforce Development Board provides the following employment-related services at the Community Empowerment Center:
- Self-service job search outpost
- Career-centered workshops and job-seeker events in collaboration with employers and community partners
- Connections to additional services through regional workforce partners
Junior Achievement of Southwest Virginia
Pinnacle Financial Partners
As part of its partnership with the Community Empowerment Center, Pinnacle offers its Consumer Mastermind Series, a financial education program designed to empower families with real-world tools and strategies.
- Empowers individuals through financial education: Pinnacle’s Consumer Mastermind Series provides engaging, expert-led sessions that help individuals make informed decisions about budgeting, credit, debt management and long-term financial planning
- Delivers practical tools and real-world solutions: Each session in the Consumer Mastermind Series offers actionable strategies, helpful resources and expert insights to help participants confidently navigate everyday financial decisions
Visit their website for more information, or download their flyer !
Roanoke Central Council PTA
The Roanoke City Council of PTAs is the unit PTA that is organized under the authority of the VA State PTA for the purpose of collaboration, leadership training, advocacy, and coordination of efforts among school units. It acts as a communication link between school PTAs and higher levels of the organization (district, state, and national PTA). Councils also play a role in community engagement, advocating for children's well being, and supporting local PTAs through resources and guidance.

Collaboration and Coordination: Brings together multiple local PTA units to work together on common goals, share best practices, and coordinate efforts on a larger scale.

Leadership Development: Provide training and support to local PTA leaders, helping them develop the skills and knowledge needed to effectively run their units.

Communication and Advocacy: Serve as a vital link between local PTAs and the wider community, including school districts and higher levels of the PTA organization. They also advocate for policies and initiatives that benefit children's education, health, and well-being, at the local, state, and national level.

Resource Sharing: Offer valuable resources, information, and guidance to local PTAs, helping them address challenges and implement successful programs.

Community Engagement: Foster partnerships with other organizations in the community to advocate for children's welfare and promote collaboration between home, school, and community.
Learn More!
Roanoke Public Libraries
Region 5 Adult Education
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Region 5 Adult Education provides adult learners with the knowledge, abilities, and credentials necessary for success. Students gain the skills needed to improve employment opportunities by increasing basic education; digital literacy; job readiness expertise; and speaking, reading, and writing English. In addition, Adult Education partners with area training providers by offering academic support to students who are seeking to earn workforce-preparation credentials.

Region 5 Adult Education provides several opportunities for students:
- GED Preparation
- National External Diploma Program
- English as a Second Language (ESL)
Visit the Region 5 Website for more information!
Virginia Department of Health
The following services are offered at the Community Empowerment Center:
- Immunizations
- School physicals

Services & Partners

Services for Families

Our Partners

RCPS Departments

Blue Ridge Literacy

Commonwealth Catholic Charities

Family Wellness Roanoke/Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare

Financial Empowerment Center (Freedom First Credit Union)

Greater Roanoke Workforce Development Board

Junior Achievement of Southwest Virginia

Pinnacle Financial Partners

Roanoke Central Council PTA

Roanoke Public Libraries

Region 5 Adult Education

Virginia Department of Health