Dear Friend of the Collaboration:
The last time I sat down to write our community, it was early on in the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools were closed. Workplaces had shut down. Children and teachers were home with their families. Parents had lost their jobs and were struggling to provide for their families. We were in crisis. We reached out to you and you responded. Thank you.
Because of your support, the Collaboration’s doors remained open. We never stopped picking up the phone. We never stopped caring for our families and children. These are the times when we are needed most. Now is the time to invest in the safety, health, and resilience of the youngest members of our community.
A lot happened this year.
- We launched Ready, Set, Kindergarten! a virtual support system for 30 families whose children are transitioning to kindergarten in the midst of COVID-19.
- We led conversations with educators on teaching during a health pandemic and crisis of racial violence. 400+ children benefitted from these discussions.
- We distributed ‘Activity Kits’ to 175 families of children with disabilities or developmental delays to enhance their at-home learning and growth during shelter-in-place.
- We provided support to 62 vulnerable families, helping them access diapers, infant formula and other essential items during the pandemic.
Your support is more important than ever.
Our goals haven’t changed. We still want to make sure that every child arrives at kindergarten happy, healthy and ready to succeed. We intend to stay true to this mission, even in the face of a health crisis. There is still hopeful news in the world. Our work is proof. Help us to keep that hope alive by making a gift to the Collaboration for Early Childhood and investing in a strong start for our smallest citizens. Every amount matters.
John Borrero,
Executive Director
Becki Streit
Board Chair, Board of Directors