Empowering Early Childhood Education: How Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas is Transforming Lives

In the heart of Kansas, a non-profit organization is making waves in the world of early childhood education. Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas, a grant-funded initiative, is dedicated to supporting child care providers and connecting families with the resources they need. With the current lack of options, this organization's work has become more crucial than ever before.

Unlocking the Potential of Early Childhood Education

Bridging the Gap with Unrestricted Funding

Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas is a non-profit organization that relies heavily on grant funding to carry out its mission. While this funding is invaluable, it often comes with restrictions on how the money can be used. Executive Director Sarah Elsen explains, "We are very heavily grant funded which is great, but those are restricted with what we can do. By having the unrestricted funding, it just allows us to go above and beyond with some things we are able to assist child care providers with."This unrestricted funding enables the organization to go the extra mile, providing child care providers with the support they need to thrive. Whether it's offering additional training, resources, or innovative solutions, Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas is committed to empowering those who care for our youngest community members.

Harnessing the Power of Community Collaboration

To raise awareness and garner support for their cause, Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas organized the first annual Celebrity Waiter Gala. This unique event brought together athletes, media personalities, community leaders, and influencers, who served as waiters and competed for tips. The goal was to engage the community and highlight the importance of early childhood education."Child care is everybody's issue right now," Elsen emphasizes. "It's impacting the economy, it's impacting the community, it's impacting businesses, so to see local celebrities really value the importance of early childhood education just speaks volumes."The event not only raised funds for the organization's operations but also served as a platform to amplify the message that quality child care is a crucial component of a thriving community.

Empowering Families and Strengthening the Workforce

For Jamie Hornbaker, the work of Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas hits close to home. When her daughter was just one and a half years old, the organization directed her to resources that allowed her to attend college. Now, as a State Farm insurance agent, Hornbaker sees firsthand the impact of the lack of quality child care on the workforce."As an employer, I want to make sure that those folks who come to work for me have quality access to child care, so that way they can come to work and be able to do what they need to do and not have to do with their little ones and who's taking care of them," Hornbaker explains.By providing families with the support they need, Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas is not only empowering parents to pursue their own goals but also ensuring that businesses have access to a skilled and dedicated workforce.

Embracing a Community-Driven Approach

S.J. Hazim, a community leader known for his unwavering commitment to lifting up others, was drawn to Child Care Aware's values and mission. As a celebrity waiter at the organization's gala, Hazim saw firsthand the impact of their work."They've always helped the community in so many ways, from free car seats to things like that and my family has been recipients of some of that and just their open hearts and everything like that, so when I was asked to be apart of this, how could I refuse?" Hazim shared.Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas serves 33 counties in eastern Kansas, and Elsen wants all donors to know that the money raised is directly benefiting their local communities. By fostering a community-driven approach, the organization ensures that its resources are tailored to the unique needs of the families and providers it serves.In a time when the demand for quality child care has never been higher, Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas is stepping up to the challenge. With its innovative programs, community partnerships, and unwavering dedication, this non-profit is transforming lives and shaping the future of early childhood education in Kansas and beyond.