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In the video we aired at Dream Big 2024 last month, working mothers talked about the difference scholarships have made in their lives: children getting the care and intervention they need, a mother able to earn her PhD, a family saving to purchase a home. We are eager to do more in the future. To that end, we thank you for helping raise more than $79,000 to establish the Kathy Halas Early Learning Legacy Fund, which will enable us to provide scholarships for families who may not qualify for other help or funding. If you would still like to donate, click here and select the fund in the dropdown. Together, we will keep children safe and provide working parents with breathing room and the chance to pursue opportunities. Watch the video now.

When we support child care professionals, we help ensure there is quality care available for children and working parents, and help to alleviate the rising threat of "child care deserts" where care is unavailable. Together with the Women's Enterprise Development Corporation (WEDC), we recently hosted a four-part business training series for child care professionals led by Lynn Karam, CEO of LEK Management, Inc. The comprehensive program covered many essential aspects of running a successful child care business, including the basics about different types of business entities, financial planning, tax strategies, budgeting, cash flow, SWOT assessments, employee management, and effective marketing strategies. Participants loved gathering in person to learn from Lynn and share experiences with each other, and are eager to participate in additional training.

To improve quality of care and provide holistic support to children and their families, our Legally Exempt Resource Program is now serving 120 providers. After a thorough needs assessment, we offer a variety of tools and resources, from mental health referrals to materials for program enhancement, to help these families navigate a variety of challenges they may face - all at no cost. We have helped them obtain furniture, clothing, books, food, toys, community services, and more.

Click here to explore the 2024 Dream Big Journal. We extend our sincerest thanks once again to all of the journal ad supporters.