by Kathy Foster
Suzane Gage and Lindsay Holmes, with the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida, were program presenters at Tuesday’s meeting of the Chipley Kiwanis Club. The pair invited the club to become a supporter of the Coalition’s program, pointing out that the strength of the community lies with the children and when we don’t don’t support early learning the entire community suffers.
Gage said with there is currently an opportunity gap facing young children throughout the Panhandle. She added that limiting the education gap and you enhance the opportunity today’s children will receive.
Inviting the club members to “join the movement”, Gage pointed out the following:
- If you have kids: Check out tools that help make parenting easier (and more fun!). Check it out at nomsallmatter.com/parents.
- If you know kids: Host a screening of the video No Small Matter at your house of worship, community center, office, or with lawmakers
- If you used to be a kid: Become an early learning champion. Ask your lawmakers to put kids first at nosmallmatter.com/take-action.
Gage also stressed that children who have access to high quality child care programs:
- Perform better in K-12 grades
- Are less likely to need special education service.
- Are more likely to attend college
- Earn higher wages
- Are less likely to be incarcerated
For more information concerning the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida, contact Suzane Gage at 850-747-5400
The Kiwanis Club is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. The Chipley Kiwanis Club meets every Tuesday at Noon at Patillo’s Restaurant on the campus of Florida Panhandle Technical College in Chipley.