Winter 2018
resource the
once upon a time... 12th Annual Fairy Tale Ball makes dreams come true for children and families Pages 3-4
giving thanks
Thank you to our generous 2017-2018 Next Generation Campaign donors | Page 5
save the date
Sky’s the Limit Training Conference is scheduled for 2019! | Page 8
CHILDCARE RESOURCES | 244 W VALLEY AVE STE 200 | BIRMINGHAM, AL 35209 | 205-945-0018 | WWW.CCR-BHM.ORG
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from from the the desk desk of of Executive Executive Director, Director, Joan Joan Wright Wright When there’s a drought you want rain. When there’s suffering you want comfort and healing. When there’s destruction you want recovery and repair. Many neighbors are in need of our help: the unemployed, the homeless, the hungry, those recently affected by the tragedy of storms or illness. The human spirit beckons us to respond to these needs, however insurmountable they may seem. Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” This sage reminder seems relevant especially as the year closes with many opportunities to give thanks for our blessings, celebrate with family, friends and loved ones, and share with those less fortunate than ourselves. Although sometimes we might feel there is little to be offered, this is not necessarily so. When we are gifted with blessings, we are asked to return the kindness – and we do. Central Alabama ranks in the top five most generous communities in the country. At Childcare Resources, thanks to generous supporters and committed partners, we improve the early childhood education experiences that enable children to realize their full potential so their future is brighter. This issue highlights some of our many partners and events that provide blessings to enable us to fulfill our mission. And as 2018 comes to a close, I gratefully reflect on my blessings and how I can help ease the burden of my neighbors. Daily at Childcare Resources, we see how the generous gifts to the agency benefit and positively impact the lives of the families and children we serve. Some of the blessings for which we are thankful include: • A child care classroom now provides the teacher increased visibility of the children because we showed the teacher a way to arrange the room and improve the supervision – and thus the safety – of the children in her care. • A single mother now has an extra $140 each month to support the needs of her family because we are providing financial assistance to defray child care costs for her two young children. • A new comer to our community now has the information and support she needs to make a quality selection for child care to meet her family’s needs because we offer resources and referrals to families seeking child care solutions. Packages come in all shapes and sizes, and the pleasure of giving is being blessed by the joy the gift brings the receiver. We are indeed grateful for the many gifts of time, talent and financial resources that come into Childcare Resources daily supporting the needs of the children and families we serve. I thank each of our kind supporters and partners for gifting us with generosity. May you continue to be blessed.
2018 Board of Directors
Darren C. Allen E. Hayes Arendall Harrison Bishop Mary Blankson, MD Molly Bruce Jason L. Bryant
Jason Cook Jennifer Couch Carol Muse Evans K. Christine Fontana, Esq. Mitchell D. Greggs Christopher E. Holmes
Lauren Andrews Hannah Avery Laura Boyles Wes Bulgarella Stephen Burton
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CHAIRMAN VICE CHAIRMAN PAST CHAIRMAN SECRETARY TREASURER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Keith Johnson Samika L. Williams Terralance Thurman Martina Winston Steve Rueve Joan Wright
Michael Humber Joshua D. Jones, Esq. Adrienne Moore Rick Morris Rosevelt Morris, DMin Martin Nalls
Terrica Richardson Corlette Stewart-Burns Michael F. Walker Veronique Zimmerman-Brown, PhD
2018 Junior Board
PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT SECRETARY/TREASURER EVENT CO-CHAIR MEMBERSHIP CHAIR
Nicholas CaJacob, MD Parris Christian Chloe Farmer Ashley Hanson, MD Andrea Hendricks, PhD
Heidi Ramey Amorice N. Law Misty Paul Lauren E. Leach Chelsie Coker
Carolyne Jones Hess Jackson King Beth Lovett Lauren Mertins Miya Moore
Jennifer L. Rowe Justin Schilling Matthew T. Scully Kathleen R. Sherwood Katie Shuey
Corey Spraberry Amy Swindle-English James Williams
The Resource | Winter 2018
childcare resources
Holiday Wish List
Program Support
Admin Support
Deliver Donations To: Childcare Resources
The Resource | Winter 2018
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once upon a time...
12th Annual Fairy Tale Ball helps dreams come true for children and families
The 12th Annual Fairy Tale Ball Raises Valuable Dollars for Childcare Resources “Once Upon a Time,” more than 700 guests and dozens of Fairy Tale Characters danced the night away on Saturday, August 25, 2018, at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham, The Wynfrey Hotel. The goal was to raise valuable dollars to further the mission of Childcare Resources, a local non-profit organization that provides information, education, and assistance to children, families, and providers of child care across our Birmingham community. The philanthropic-minded guests wished upon a star while enjoying gourmet hors d’oeuvres, high-energy entertainment and dancing, and made memories with their families to last a lifetime. Dressed in their best fairy tale costumes for Childcare Resources’ 12th Annual Fairy Tale Ball, the children and families in attendance brought magic to the evening, raising more than $135,000 through sponsorships, ticket sales, an incredible silent auction and generous donations to the agency. The entire event focused on shining a light on the increasing need for resources and support for children and families across our area to ensure every child is afforded the best start in life. During the enchanting evening, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama was honored with the inaugural Childcare Resources Award of Distinction for their longstanding commitment to children and families across our area. Photos courtesy of Gotcha Fun Photos
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The Resource | Winter 2018
thank you to our sponsors We couldn’t have done it without your incredible support!
Archduke
Marquess
Viscount
Baron
Baronet
Alabama Power Amerex Corporation Birmingham Coca-Cola UNITED Birmingham Parent Magazine Bressler, Amery & Ross PC Burr & Forman Cadence Bank Childcare Resources Board of Directors The Resource | Winter 2018
Medical Properties Trust Motion Industries Regions Bank Renasant Bank Sixth Avenue Baptist Church South Haven Corporation
Knight
Alabama Public Television Barfield, Murphy, Shank & Smith ERA King Realty Springer Equipment Company
in memory of Fred & Rheta Skelton
Weil Wrecker
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brighter futures for children Thank you for your support of our 2018 Next Generation Campaign! With your generous support of our 2018 Next Generation Campaign, nearly $40,000 has been raised to help further the mission of Childcare Resources! That means more families with access to free child care searchs and financial assistance, more resources and trainings for child care providers, and more advocacy for children and families in our community. Thank you for helping children get the best start in life!
Special Thanks to our generous 2017-2018 Campaign Donors Mr. & Mrs. Darren Allen Mr. and Mrs. Steven Altmann Mrs. Lauren Andrews Mr. E. Hayes Arendall Mr. and Mrs. Keith Arendall Ms. Hannah Avery Mr. and Mrs. Michael Balliet Mrs. Karen Balliet Mr. and Mrs. Paul Barrett Dr. and Mrs. Neal Berte Mr. Harrison Bishop Dr. Mary Blankson Dr. Nancy Borkowski Mr. and Mrs. Chad Boyles Mrs. Elna Brendel Mr. and Mrs. Steve Briggs Ms. Cheryl Brown Ms. Molly Bruce Mr. William Bryant Mr. and Mrs. Jason Bryant Mr. Wes Bulgarella Ms. Margaret Burg Mr. and Mrs. Dean Burgess Mr. Stephen Burton Mr. and Mrs. Jim Burton Ms. Suzanne CaJacob Dr. Daniel CaJacob Dr. Nicholas CaJacob Mr. Harry Caldwell Dr. Rosalyn Childress Ms. Chelsie Coker Mr. Charles Collat, Sr. Mr. Jason Cook Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Cook Ms. Jennifer Couch Mrs. Valerie Crawford Ms. Margaret Curry Dr. Felecia Dailey Page 5
Drs. Joseph and Carol Dean Mrs. Patricia Dreher Mrs. Deitra Dunn Dunn-French Foundation Mrs. Henrietta Emack Ms. Carol Evans Ms. K. Christine Fontana Mr. and Mrs. Fred Friedman Ms. Vickie Gamble Dr. Mary Jo Ghory Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Goedecke The Hon. Debra Goldstein Mr. and Mrs. T. Michael Goodrich Mr. Mitchell Greggs Mrs. Karen Griner Dr. and Mrs. Quinton Gurley Dr. Ashley Hanson Ms. Morgan Hargrove Mrs. Carolyne Hess Mr. Glenn Hinkle Mr. Christopher Holmes Mrs. Sidney Hoover Mr. and Mrs. J. Humber Mr. & Mrs. Michael Humber Alex and Meredith Husnik Ms. Ellen Jackson Mr. Keith Johnson Mrs. Sallie Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Jones Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Jones Dr. and Mrs. Charles Jones Dr. and Mrs. James Kamplain Mr. David Kinman Ms. Holly Lamb Mr. and Mrs. Larry Lance Mrs. Amorice Law Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Leach Mr. and Mrs. William Legg
Dr. and Mrs. Robert Levin Mr. and Mrs. Robert Levine Mrs. Beth Lovett Mrs. Koko Mackin Mrs. Joyce Mahan Mr. and Mrs. William Matthews Ms. Carla McEwen Ms. Lauren Mertins Mrs. Rhonda Mims Mr. and Mrs. Richard Monk Ms. Miya Moore Ms. Adrienne Moore Mr. and Mrs. Rick Morris The Rev. Dr. Rosevelt Morris Ms. Dorothy Mueller Mr. Martin Nalls Mr. and Mrs. David Nelson Mr. and Mrs. Claude Nielsen Mr. and Mrs. Shegun Otulana Ms. Misty Paul Mr. and Mrs. J. Wray Pearce PNC Foundation Mr. Michael Poe Mr. and Mrs. Jim Pool Mrs. Ginger Pritchett Protective Life Corporation Ms.Catrice Pruitt Mrs. Ginger Ramey Mrs. Minnie H. Rast Mrs. Kathy Reed Mrs. Miriam Reed Ms. Terrica Richardson Mr. and Mrs. James Richey Mr. and Mrs. Ted Robinson Dr. and Mrs. Stuart Royal Mr. and Mrs. Steve Rueve Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Rumore Dr. and Mrs. Michael Saag
Mr. Justin Schilling Mr. Matthew Scully Mr. and Mrs. A. Inge Selden Mrs. Susan Sherrill Mrs. Kathleen Sherwood Mrs. Kathleen Shuey Mr. John Shuey Sixth Avenue Baptist Church Ms. Suzette Smalley Mr. and Mrs. William Smith Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Smith Ms. Sarah Louise Smith Mr. Terry Sparks Mr. Corey Spraberry Ms. Corlette Stewart Burns Mr. Russell Stutts Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Sudduth Mrs. Amy Swindle-English Ms. Rachel Talley The Hackney Foundation Mrs. BobbieThurman Mr. Roderick Underwood Mr. Tinsley Van Durand Mr. and Mrs. George Walker Ms. Marion Walker Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Warren Mrs. Leila Watson Mr. and Mrs. Lyord Watson Rev. and Mrs. Willie Wells Mr. and Mrs. Randy and Susan Wilhelm Mrs. Samika Williams Mr. Jimmy Williams Mrs. Alice Williams Ms. Martina Winston Mrs. Joan Wright Dr. Veronique Zimmerman-Brown
The Resource | Winter 2018
making learning fun
Thank you to our partners for supporting new and revamped trainings!
Thanks to funding received from Nemours Children’s Health System, along with integral support from the Alabama Partnership for Children, Childcare Resources was thrilled to add three trainings to our calendar for July, August, and September of 2018. • Cooking with Children allowed teachers the opportunity to learn the value of cooking with little ones in their care. Participants learned developmental cooking practices for toddlers and a variety of health and safety tips, including how to teach children the safe way to use kitchen materials. • Little Seedlings… Cultivating and Growing Young Minds through Gardening created the opportunity for early care professionals to learn the nutritious benefits and skills children learn through gardening, such as creativity, cause and effect as plants grow, and the sense of responsibility with living things.
Participants at the Cooking with Children Training
• At the end of September, providers met at the YMCA Youth Center and learned the benefits of Yoga with Young Children. Kathleen Kimerling lead everyone in yoga exercise and explained how yoga is an activity for all ages and all abilities. Keesha Nelson, an advocate for community health, lead physical activity games, and stressed the importance of including all children in active play. In addition to three days of fun and learning, participants attending the trainings received materials to take back into their classrooms to help enhance the education they provide children in their care each and every day. Thank you to our wonderful community collaborators for making these trainings possible! Participants at the Gardening with Children Training
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on the move
Congratulations to our recently promoted employees
Beth Nelson, Training Support Specialist
Beth joined Childcare Resources in December 2017. A graduate of Southeast College of Technology, Beth is a resourceful and accomplished individual with 27 years comprehensive experience in fast-paced environments. With diverse one-tier customer care skills as well as exceptional clerical expertise, Beth is very effective in her new position and is thrilled to now call Childcare Resources her home. Beth Nelson
Katelyn Sprouse, Child Development Consultant
Katelyn is a graduate of The University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education and Child Development. With past experience teaching preschool, as well as research in early childhood education, Katelyn looks forward to offering resources to teachers in our community through Childcare Resources’ Resource Library and Van. When she’s not working, Katelyn enjoys shopping and being a dog mom. Katelyn Sprouse
Jillian Wyatt, Child Development Consultant I
Jillian has over 10 years of experience in the field of Early Childhood. A proud graduate of Jacksonville State University, Jillian holds a Bachelors of Science in Family Consumer Science with a concentration in Child Development. After graduation, Jillian spent time in Maryland teaching infants and preschoolers, but is so happy to be back in the state she calls home: Alabama. Jillian Wyatt
let’s get social
Connect with us on social media to keep up with agency updates
@ccr_bhm Page 7
@ccr.bhm
@ccr_bhm The Resource | Winter 2018
GREAT EXPECTATIONS:
A JOURNEY TOWARD BEST PRACTICES SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 2019 What happens when you gather community educators in one space, give them time to connect with others who share their commitment and passion for early child care and education, and provide the opportunity to learn and be inspired by top minds in our community? You empower an enormous force for quality early childhood care and education!
For more information or to register: abradley@ccr-bhm.org or 205-945-0018 Ext. 312
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Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Birmingham, AL Permit #4550
www.ccr-bhm.org 244 W Valley Ave Ste 200 Birmingham, AL 35209-3616
agency grants Thank you for advancing our mission!
Wells Fargo, $15,000
for Childcare Resources’ Supplemental Child Care Program
City of Birmingham Community Development Block Grant, $38,500 to support Childcare Resources’ Supplemental Child Care Program
CHILDCARE RESOURCES | 244 W VALLEY AVE STE 200 | BIRMINGHAM, AL 35209 | 205-945-0018 | WWW.CCR-BHM.ORG