Bernelle Richardson’s Story: Families Can’t Afford Child Care When They “Level Up” to Middle Class
A women’s care nurse in Warwick, Bernelle Richardson works in a career she loves helping mothers with labor, delivery, and postpartum care. She credits Early Head Start as the catalyst that changed her family’s trajectory by providing the high-quality care and family support needed to “level up” to the middle class. With their children in […]
Thriving In Early Head Start: Donovan’s Story
You might remember a very cute young boy stealing the show at RI Strolling Thunder 2023 by spontaneously grabbing a toy microphone and joining Governor McKee and other leaders to offer his “remarks.” Here’s Donovan’s story of thriving in Early Head Start. THIS is why the General Assembly needs to increase state funding to keep all […]
Thriving In Early Head Start: Donovan’s Story
You might remember a very cute young boy stealing the show at RI Strolling Thunder 2023 by spontaneously grabbing a toy microphone and joining Governor McKee and other leaders to offer his “remarks.” Here’s Donovan’s story of thriving in Early Head Start. THIS is why the General Assembly needs to increase state funding to keep all RI […]
Struggling To Find Affordable, Quality Child Care: State Representative Megan Cotter’s
9 out of 10 families in Rhode Island lack access to affordable, reliable, quality child care. We partnered with the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island to help parents share their stories. Here’s State Representative Megan Cotter’s story: While today, I am a working professional and representative supporting the greater Exeter, Richmond and Hopkinton communities, it […]
Struggling To Find Affordable, Quality Child Care: Emily’s Story
9 out of 10 families in Rhode Island lack access to affordable, reliable, quality child care. We partnered with the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island to help parents share their stories. Here’s Emily’s story: Accessing affordable, high-quality childcare has been a struggle for my family as we have navigated through the pandemic and remains difficult […]
Struggling To Find Affordable, Quality Child Care: Sarah’s Story
9 out of 10 families in Rhode Island lack access to affordable, reliable, quality child care. We partnered with the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island to help parents share their stories. Here’s Sarah’s story: My name is Sarah and my 5-month-old Alma and I have been trying to access childcare since October 2022 in Rhode […]
Struggling To Find Affordable, Quality Child Care: Elizabeth’s Story
9 out of 10 families in Rhode Island lack access to affordable, reliable, quality child care. We partnered with the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island to help parents share their stories. Here’s Elizabeth’s story: My name is Elizabeth Polanco and I am a parent of three beautiful children. Obtaining childcare has been a struggle for […]
Child Care Provider Jen Rathbun’s Story: Child Care Industry In Need of Funding, Qualified Teachers
Nearly two decades ago, Jen Rathbun was asked to join the Board of Directors for the nonprofit child care program Joyful Noise in West Warwick, Rhode Island when her son was a toddler attending the program. She held a few different roles within the organization, and was named director in 2017. “Ensuring parents are happy […]
Educator Emma Villa’s Story: Home Child Care Providers Struggling to Survive
Emma Villa has been running Emma’s Home Daycare for almost 20 years out of her Providence home. Originally from Mexico, Emma has always had a passion for teaching. “Parents sometimes come in with the misconception that home child care providers are ‘just babysitters,’ and I’m proud to change their perspective,” said Emma. “They see that […]
Parent Janette Perez’s Story: Unable to Finish College and Work Full-Time Without High-Quality Child Care
Providence resident Janette Perez has struggled to access affordable high-quality child care for her family for eight years. Her three children are currently three, five, and eleven, and she’s faced numerous barriers navigating the child care system since her oldest was born. “My stress level has been incredibly high from when each of my kids […]
