Chicago Tribune Publishes Op-Ed by President & CEO Bela Moté about Department of Early Childhood | |
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Our President & CEO Bela Moté penned an op-ed for the March 28 issue of the Chicago Tribune in support of Illinois’ proposed plan to consolidate early childhood services under a unified state agency. Bela, chair of the proposed agency’s Transition Advisory Committee, believes a Department of Early Childhood would improve access to high-quality early education by eliminating red tape for families and providers.
In March, Bela also testified before the Illinois Senate Executive Committee in support of the Department of Early Childhood Act (SB1), along with Shauna Ejeh, Senior Vice President of Programs at Illinois Action for Children, and Ann Whalen, Early Childhood Transition Director.
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We Rise Together Grants $750k for Capital Improvements to Little Village
We Rise Together—a funders collaborative focusing on community ownership and supporting Black and Latinx communities—awarded the Carole Robertson Center a $750,000 grant toward capital improvements at our Little Village flagship site. We are immensely grateful to We Rise Together’s investment in our work and commitment to strengthening Chicago communities.
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February 2024 All-Staff Town Hall
In February, more than 300 staff members convened for our bi-annual Town Hall meeting. This gathering was a vital opportunity for collaboration, brainstorming, and the exchange of feedback and updates. Employee engagement events like February’s Town Hall exemplify our ongoing dedication to investing in our workforce and aligning around the Center’s mission to educate, enrich, and empower children and families.
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Early Childhood Advocacy Day in Springfield
On April 16, Center staff traveled to Springfield to have important discussions about early childhood education with Deputy Governor Martin Torres, First Assistant Deputy Governor for Education Teresa Ramos, and Illinois State Senator Ram Villivalam. We’re proud to have participated in Early Childhood Advocacy Day alongside hundreds of changemakers who believe in putting children and families first.
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EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (0-5) | |
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Fun-filled Activities Promote Joy and Learning During Week of the Young Child
The Center celebrated the annual Week of the Young Child, a project of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), from April 8-12. Our community came together for a week filled with engaging themed activities like parent-led story times, hands-on lessons about environmental sustainability through community garden work, finger-painting activities to explore different areas of learning, and so much more!
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Lawndale Community Academy hosts Annual After-School Showcase
At our annual After-school Showcase, our out-of-school-time students shared their incredible talents as they danced, cheered, and even backflipped on stage. Many thanks to Lawndale Community Academy for their continued partnership.
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Celebrating Black History Month—And Its Connections to Our Legacy
In February, we celebrated Black History Month by honoring our namesake Carole Robertson, Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, and Denise McNair—four girls who lost their lives in the Birmingham Church bombing. All month long, our staff, children, and youth engaged with inspiring educational facts and children’s books written and illustrated by Black creatives, and participated in activities about Black history, culture, and resilience.
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The Center Uplifts Workforce to Honor Women's History Month
Throughout March, we interviewed and spotlighted women at the Center who have dedicated their talents to our mission to educate, enrich, and empower children and families. We are proud to be an organization with a majority-woman workforce and leadership team.
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McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership Connections Conference
In February, President & CEO Bela Moté, who serves as a McCormick Center Advisory Board Member, spoke at the Leadership Connections Conference and presented the Visionary Leadership Award to Dr. Walter Gilliam, Executive Director at the Buffet Early Childhood Institute. David Walker, our Senior Director of Mental Health, spoke alongside Dr. Gilliam on the mental health crisis within the early childhood education and care workforce.
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The Center’s Mental Health Team Presents at Illinois Head Start Association Conference (IHSA)
The Carole Robertson Center for Learning’s annual E3 Gala is all about honoring our mission to educate, enrich, and empower children and families. On Thursday, May 16, 2024, this joyful, mission-driven evening will celebrate our impact, our workforce, and the children and families we serve.
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Tickets and sponsorship opportunities still available for our 2024 E3 Gala!
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Starting May 1 at 12:00 noon: Bid in our Online Auction
Thursday, May 16, 6-10pm
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Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Western Cook County Chapter Donates Nearly $7k
Thanks to the Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Western Cook County Chapter for raising nearly $7,000 to support improvements to our North Lawndale flagship site. Their chapter's strong leadership continues to help us empower local communities.
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We're Hiring!
Spread the word about our Managing Associate Teacher, Teacher Aide, and Teacher Assistant positions!
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An Honor & Responsibility
Since its inception, the Center has worked to honor the life and memory of Carole Robertson who, together with her friends Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, and Denise McNair, was killed in the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.
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