CHILDHOOD SUCCESS
We believe that every Child should have safe, quality care and education so they can learn, grow, and thrive.
We believe that every child deserves access to quality care, education, enrichment opportunities, healthy food, and stable housing. Data from a recent report, ALICE in Focus: Children, reveals that 42% of Connecticut children are experiencing financial insecurity, with 29% living in ALICE households. These numbers reflect a pre-pandemic reality, making it likely that today, even more children are struggling.
Too often, programs are focused only on children and families living below the poverty line, which means more than 210,000 children in Connecticut are unable to access critical supports. For our state’s Black and Hispanic children, the stakes are even higher — 72% and 67% respectively — are living in households that cannot afford basic necessities. Through key initiatives, we’re changing this story for children across Western Connecticut. With a focus on the whole child, our work helps to ensure that every child is healthy, safe, supported, and challenged — and has every opportunity to thrive.
2021-2022 childhood success Impact
It has been a great relief and experience for me to have my child in such good hands. our cora’s kids provider has offered a quality and affordable option of child care for us as a family. her program is more than just childcare. she provides learning activities and is focused on children’s growth.
— Caroline, parent
2021-2022 Initiatives
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Children can participate in enrichment activities without the financial barriers that exist for families. In doing so, they reap the benefits that come with these types of activities — physically, emotionally, socially, and academically. A family can receive $300/year/child (up to $900/year/family) to cover the costs of sports, music, robotics, arts, and other activities. Families can learn more at prosperikey.org.
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Licensed early care and after care providers access subsidies, enabling children in low-to-moderate-income families to access quality care.
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Infants and toddlers receive child care in a safe, high quality environment. At home child care providers are licensed and can access career development resources and a network of support with fellow providers. Providers keep their rates low so that ALICE families can afford quality care for their children.
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This collective impact initiative brings together more than 60 organizations and more than 70 community leaders to ensure all Stamford children succeed in education, career, and life. United Way of Western CT has served as the backbone with program and fiscal support since 2016.
PJ, a 12th grader, has been coming to the boys and girls club since he was in 6th grade. pj struggled with academics but received tutoring when he first started attending the club. his academic performance flourished. Today pj is a counselor and loves working with young club members, helping them to find confidence in their academic performance. pj plans to attend a community college in the fall.
— Boys and Girls Club of Stamford, United Way After-Care Funded Partner