Bright Beginnings Partners Reception

Celebrating the Past, Planning for the FutureHosted by Fannie Mae

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A clear mission…Provide high-quality developmental childcare

and family-stabilizing services to homeless infants, toddlers and preschoolers whose

families are living in shelters or transitional housing in Washington, DC.

3 clear priorities…– Provide a safe, nurturing educational environment for

children between 6 weeks and 5 years old;

– Prepare children to enter kindergarten ready to read and ready to learn; and

– Support homeless parents to stabilize their home lives and become self-sufficient.

My name is Dante!

• I am 4 years old.• I sometimes get very angry

and don’t know why, but I can always talk to Ms. Shaquita, my teacher. She always has a warm hug and a smile. Her love and support helps me make better choices.

3 core programs

• Early education program

• Therapeutic and health services

• Family services

My name is Amira!

• I am 18 months old.

• I like to play at the water table during playtime.

• When I’m splashing water on my teachers and classmates, I am learning about the world around me.

Our Approach: Early Education

• High/Scope curriculum is a proven education strategy for children from unsettled environments.

• Pre-literacy strategy focuses on books, reading and letters as the most important foundation for learning.

• Low student/teacher ratios give each child a greater chance of success.

Our Approach: Therapeutic & Health

• Our children can reach developmental milestones with the appropriate supports.

• Onsite therapeutic and disability services for children address any obstacles to learning.

• Our wellness program establishes healthy eating, exercise and hygiene at an early age.

Our Approach: Family Services

• Stabilizing parents is the best strategy for helping our children and getting the family back on its feet.

• Bringing services on site is a key strategy for helping homeless families with young children.

• Our onsite case management and crisis counseling gives each family a greater chance of success.

My name is Kwame!

• I am 2½ years old.• I liked our trip to the petting zoo

because I touched so many different animals. I didn’t know that the sheep would feel so different from the miniature horse. I was a little scared at first, but Ms. Joyce went with me.

The numbers tell a clear story…

• Nearly 2,000 children served since 1991.

• Consistently high ratings from local and national early childhood education organizations.

Celebrating the 2009-2010 school year...

• Served more than 150 children from 70 families.

• 25 families improved their housing situation with help and support from our socialworkers.

• Our parents focused on employment, job training and education while we cared for their children.

Celebrating the 2009-2010 school year...

• 49 children with developmental delays received on-site therapeutic services.

• 70% of our parents were engaged in activities at Bright Beginnings, such as volunteering, Parent Policy Council and training classes.

• 100% of our families benefited from our crisis assistance program to meet critical needs.

Celebrating the present...• Located at the historic Perry School at 128 M Street,

NW.

• Meets the educational and therapeutic needs of approximately 150 children from 70 families each year.

• Serves children from 6 weeks to 5 years old living in shelters or transitional housing.

• Offers full-day developmental childcare for homeless families and an evening program for homeless and/or working parents enrolled in training or school programs.

My name is Jamila!

• I am 7½ months old.

• I like it when my teacher reads to me. I always smile when she’s reading. Does she know I’m happy when I wave my hands?

Planning for the future...A second center meets the needs of homeless children

• A second center East of the River will serve 100 infants and toddlers, addressing the greatest need in the District of Columbia.

• Bright Beginnings’ expansion will address the needs of more than 100 children currently on our waiting list.

Planning for the future...A second center will double our impact.

• Nearly 50% of the funding needed for a second center is already secured.

• Currently negotiating with a property owner East of the River for a second site.

• An experienced team is guiding our $5 million Capital Campaign.

Planning for the future...A second center meets the needs of homeless families

• The District of Columbia’s homeless statistics show the great demand:

– In DC, 6,539 people are without homes including 800 homeless families comprising 988 adults and 1535 children.**

– 40% of children in homeless families are 5 years old or younger.

** The 2010 Count of Homeless Persons in Metropolitan Washington report (Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, National Alliance to End Homelessness and the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness, Washington, DC.) 

My name is Kelly!

• I am 3 years old.• If it was noisy in the

shelter last night and I did not get enough sleep, I may need Ms. Morgan’s help in getting along with my friends. She comforts me and helps me have a good day.

We can do big things!

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My name is Ajani!

• I am 3 years old.• I like to paint on

construction paper and feel the paint between my fingers. It helps me learn about textures while building my fine-motor and gross-motor skills.

Thank you for coming!

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