Raising the quality of life, family by family

Woman standing aganst shelf with child car seats

The Willowobrook Corner Early Childhood Collaborative

By Larry Asteff

or a family living in poverty in DuPage County, taking a new baby home from the hospital is both joyous and fraught with unbelievable challenges. As just one example of the perils ahead, consider car-seats. The hospital may provide a family with an infant car-seat if they cannot afford one themselves; but generally, a baby outgrows that gift before its first birthday.—Then what? How does a family choose between keeping their baby safe in transit (and not breaking the law), or providing food, medicine or housing? When families are stressing over such grave decisions, the importance of early childhood development can often become a backburner issue, even when it should be among the first priorities for a young child.

In the case of one family in Willowbrook Corner, an under-resourced area located in the southeastern corner of DuPage County, that second car-seat was provided through the Willowbrook Corner Early Childhood Collaborative (WCECC). The WCECC is making a big impact in the region thanks in a large part to funding from the Snodgrass Family Fund at the DuPage Foundation through the foundation’s Bright & Early DuPage initiative. “Bright & Early DuPage is incredibly important for our families, so they have access to birth to five support systems,” said Dr. Tom Schneider, superintendent of School District 180. “It fills a need for our families to find additional resources as they start on the journey of being parents.

“It fills a need for our families to find additional resources as they start on the journey of being parents.”

We’re thrilled to be able to work as partners with Bright & Early DuPage, and we are incredibly appreciative of DuPage Foundation for the program.” As a result, the lives of children in the region, who funnel into Hinsdale South High School, are positively impacted. Marianne Pokorny, director of civic engagement for the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, oversees the leadership for Bright & Early DuPage. “Grants from the Snodgrass Family Fund of DuPage Foundation through Bright & Early DuPage have provided critical funding for so many initiatives and actions,” Pokorny said. “We
would not have had the meetings, the network that was needed to get things done, without it. It was a springboard to improve the hierarchy of family needs, from jobs, to food, to transportation, to
ultimately childcare and early childhood education, that was needed.”
For more information on the collaborative initiative, visit:

https://dupagefoundation.org/initiatives/bright-early-dupage.html/title/collaboratives

 

Author

IMG_4283

Susan Sinderson: Downers Grove Community Adult Day Center Director calls Elmhurst home

Canopy program participants take part in specialized equine therapy through Christine's Dream Equine Program. The program is led by an experienced PATH International-certified instructor and supported by caring volunteers.

Rich Support: York High School Distinguished Alumnus Jerry Rich offers support for individuals with autism spectrum disorder

Hair loss problem after covid search Instagram Post Minimalist -

Is hair loss on your mind? Reclaim Your Crowning Glory

The camaraderie of the volunteers often keeps them involved after their student graduates.

Budding Boosters: York High’s Booster Club sees to the extras for students athletes

Elmhurst Art Museum offers a range of art, from this Captain America Cover by Alex Ross at the Marvelocity exhibit that just concluded, to be followed by Picasso: 50 Years Later.

Down to a Fine Art: Behind the scenes of today’s Elmhurst Art Museum

DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick

The DuPage County Crime Forensic Science Center aids the criminal justice system of DuPage County

151-Entrance

Making It Better Every Day: The leader who sets the pace

Photo-3-e1694187215332

Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4th

IMG_4543

A Tennis Player’s Dream Oak Brook Bath & Tennis Club

IMG_4883

Live Music at Elmhurst City Centre

IMG_5249

Movie in the Park

The Arizona Biltmore is chock-full of history and a magnet for notable guests.

Discover Arizona: From Cowboys to Hollywood elite, the American Southwest holds something for everyone