The Escala Program from Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) was created to support aspiring entrepreneurs from lower-income backgrounds. The program has evolved since its inception in 2001, most recently offering some new options to assist those who want to create a better life for themselves and their families by becoming self-sufficient business owners.
Why is this important? Economic empowerment and job creation provides for an opportunity for individuals to be self-sufficient and can help break the cycle of poverty and dependence on others for financial support.
As these business owners become successful and grow, they not only put money back into the economy as their standard of living increases, they can also hire others within the community, creating local jobs so others can thrive and grow. Successful businesses also contribute to local tax revenues, which can be used to fund public services and infrastructure projects. So, as you can deduce, there is a domino effect to this kind of program that can benefit everyone in the community, which can spread exponentially.
Upward Mobility
The Escala Program, which is derived from the Spanish word “to climb,” was established by NVFS in 2001. Over the years, it has helped numerous individuals and families realize their dreams to create successful businesses. As the program continues to grow and evolve, additional efforts have been put into motion to increase the reach of its benefits. We recently had an opportunity to speak with Piedad Jennings, the Small Business Counselor of the Escala Program for NVFS to see what’s been happening lately. Here’s what she had to tell us.
Escala held a cohort (defined as a group of people who share a common characteristic or experience, often within a defined timeframe) in Prince William County earlier this year to target individuals looking to start or grow their business. The cohort was specifically interested in reaching those who might face barriers to traditional business training, such as language issues or limited access to resources.
The initial cohort had 15 participants complete the program, which covered a comprehensive range of topics essential for launching and managing a successful business. Topics included developing a business idea, creating a business plan, financial basics, legal structures, marketing strategies, and accessing resources within the community. The cohort ran for six weeks, with three-hour sessions usually held virtually. There was also a cohort held in Manassas that was presented in person on Saturdays, which included interactive workshops and guest speakers from local businesses.
Steps Toward Success
“The response from the participants was positive,” says Jennings. “They expressed feeling empowered and more confident in their ability to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. Participants have already taken concrete steps towards launching their businesses, and we are providing ongoing mentorship and support to help them succeed. Some of the feedback we received said the program was practical and relevant, which was rewarding for us.”
Additional cohorts will be offered throughout 2025, one in Arlington in English and one online in Spanish. In partnership with Truist Bank, Escala also recently offered separate business workshops that included Business Finance Basics as well as Marketing Workshops (provided in Spanish) in Manassas. Additionally, Escala is exploring expansion into other regions such as Loudon County.
To keep informed on upcoming cohorts or other business-related workshops Escala will be providing, interested parties can reach out by email at infoescala@nvfs.org or fill out the Inquiry Form on the Escala webpage. Individuals are also encouraged to follow NVFS on Facebook, or they can contact us directly at by calling 571-547-7541 or emailing pjennings@nvfs.org for more information.
The Need To Succeed
Escala also recently partnered with the Arlington Library to produce a pilot program that provided small business startup courses and seminars in Spanish. The first session was held in February and three additional sessions were scheduled, one of which was held in March and the other two will be held the last Wednesday of both April and May. Arlington Library has invited Escala to continue the program in 2026, with plans to expand to the Aurora Hill Library.
“Building on our ongoing program, we are planning to expand our workshop and course offerings,” said Jennings. “We are currently exploring new curriculum modules focused on advanced marketing, financial planning, and e-commerce. We will evaluate the outcomes of the current four-course series at the Columbia Pike Library to inform decisions about offering workshops at varied times to serve diverse schedules.”
The workshops, titled “Creating a Solid Foundation for Your Startup” covered a range of essential small business startup strategies, including:
- Session 1—From Idea to Reality: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Session 2—Developing a Business Plan
- Session 3—Marketing and Social Media Strategies
- Session 4—Understanding Legal Structures (sole proprietorship, LLC, etc.), basic financial management and budgeting, and accessing funding and resources
Information about upcoming workshops and registration details will be available on Arlington Library’s website. Information will also be available on NVFS.org, and through social media channels and community outreach.
Moving Forward
Other community partners that are interested in helping to grow this program are encouraged to get involved.
“We would love to see this program expand to other libraries, community centers, and organizations,” says Jennings. “We believe that access to business training in English/Spanish is essential throughout the region. We have had preliminary conversations with the Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) about the possibility of replicating our program, and we are actively seeking partnerships to reach a wider audience.”
Again, interested parties or businesses can reach out by calling 571-547-7541 or emailing pjennings@nvfs.org for additional information on how your organization can get involved.