EPEL Partners (Friends, Families, Providers and Community Members),
Many of you on Memorial Day, like myself, were watching in horror as a black man named George Floyd was screaming, "I can't breathe!" George was screaming for his mother, just as children in our community do many times a day. As parents and providers, when children cry, we go to their rescue, the difference is no one went to George's rescue, no one spoke up. If you know me, you know I am never at a loss for words, and this was a punch in the mouth, there were no words. I have had to sit, hang my head, and pray for families and the children that are being raised in the middle of this sadness.
First COVID and now something in my eyes much worse, racism. COVID and racism are both killers of our black and brown families due to the inequities that are shining brightly through during this time. In four months, we have watched the brutal deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd that have stemmed from years of racial injustice. When are we going to say enough is enough? Do we have to bury more dads, moms, sisters, brothers, or are we going to stand up and say, STOP? We can do better. We have to be change-makers and take action for the children we are raising/teaching and model for the families we touch. As leaders, we have to lead by example and strategically think about how we can be a part of the solution. Racism didn't start a year ago, and it isn't going to be fixed in a year. Think of it as an ultra-marathon, not a sprint. It is time to listen and take action in the name of families.
Our mission is to build a connected community dedicated to helping young children thrive. That mission can only be fulfilled when our partners come together to build a strong, safe, and healthy community where we work together to meet "ALL" families where they are. We have to collectively evaluate our systems and see where we can start creating change because our children deserve better. Ijeoma Oluo author of,
So You Want to Talk About Race,
said, "We cannot give childhood back, once it is gone." As a mother, former Kindergarten teacher, and leader, this statement was so powerful and I will never forget it. Our children deserve a childhood, so join us on this journey.
Partners, families, early educators, business leaders, and community, please stand with EPEL as we work to end racial inequities for our black, brown, immigrant, homeless, and all marginalized children and families. Help be the change that should have happened centuries ago.
Together WE Can,
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Executive Director
amberpeters@elginpartnership.org
847-452-2457
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68% of our families have filled out their Census form. You can be help us push toward a complete count. Send an email, text, put on your social media accounts to tell your families the importance of getting everyone including our babies counted. Families can go to
www.2020census.gov
or
or visit the library for help.
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Book Every Teacher and Family Should Own
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We're Different, We're the Same
is a wonderful book that has been around since I started teaching Kindergarten 30 years ago. This book is a tool for helping start conversations with young children about how we may look different but we are all the same. Click the link to hear Gordon and friends from Sesame Street read the story.
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Family Resources to Talk to Children Race
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Are you looking for a starting place to talk about race? Click the button below for several great resources for yourself, families, and to share with others in your organization.
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Did you have the opportunity to watch Sesame Street Town Hall? Every family and anyone who works with children should watch this screening. Sesame Street did a great job of breaking down racism and how to start those discussions with children.
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Governor Pritzker Announces $270M Grant Program
for Illinois Child Care Providers
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Child Care and providers are essential to for our parents in workforce.
"Strengthening child care is as much about building a strong economy as it is investing in our young people - both critical aspects of building an Illinois that truly serves our working families," said Governor JB Pritzker. "Before this pandemic hit, I promised that Illinois would become the best state in the nation for raising young children. The path forward has certainly become more complicated - but our commitment is stronger than ever."
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Learning On The Go Summer 2020
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What does summer 2020 look like for serving our earliest learners?
EPEL, Alignment Collaboration for Education, U-46, and partner organizations will be serving children in four neighborhoods in a "Grab and Go" manner. Once a week, children ages 0-5 will be receiving a yellow early learning bag filled with tools for school, activities, and summer fun in each neighborhood. Children 18 and under will also receive lunch either provided by Northern Illinois Food Bank or U-46 school district. Learning On The Go will run for six weeks in Cornerstone Park, The Mill (Buena Vista), Channing, and Kiddie Corner in Streamwood. Thank you to Elgin Township, Hoffer Foundation, Kiwanis Club of Elgin, and a match from U-46 to make this possible.
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