Imagination is the soil that brings dreams to life. – Albert Einstein
In 2021 we stretched our imaginations around the acorns we planted each day dreaming of the mighty oaks they will one day become. Without you, none of that dreaming, imagining bright futures, or growing would have occurred. It is with great expectations that we look forward and our imagination has taken us places beyond what we thought possible. We adjusted to the second year of a global pandemic with the focus of our efforts around those least protected, our children. Teachers and parents did everything in their power to keep children and families safe, healthy, and thriving despite impossible odds. It was challenging and rewarding all in one. As we look to the future our mantra is Be Daring. Be daring enough to make hard decisions that will result in good things to come. Be daring enough to support early childhood in Idaho. Be daring enough to walk with us another year as we imagine a new future for children in our community. With all of you beside me, I can be daring enough to have the courage to do what is right for children and families and I am excited about the year to come and am grateful for the year behind us. Thank you for being a part of our successes.
We are a local nonprofit that provides early care and education to young children by ensuring school readiness, empowering families, and building strong futures.
We see a future where every child in the Treasure Valley has access to quality early care and education, and all parents are supported through the early years of parenthood regardless of age or income.
When children are born their brains are only
25% developed and by the time they leave our program to enter kindergarten their brain is
90% developed.
Idaho ranks LAST in the nation for early childhood education, and only HALF of all children are prepared for kindergarten when they enter.
Would you like to learn more about the work we do at Giraffe Laugh? Join us at a Little Shoes Big Dreams Tour. Contact Cassandra Wagner at cassandra@giraffelaugh.org or 208-954-5456
“My mom, addicted to drugs, quit when she became pregnant with me. As an infant, my mom enrolled me in Giraffe Laugh while she returned to school to finish her education. The staff was so helpful giving my mom peace of mind and plenty of resources. I received lots of love and a quality education at Giraffe Laugh. These shoes are a reminder of when I crawled through Giraffe Laugh, and how far things have progressed. This fall I am walking into the college of my dreams. We are so grateful for Giraffe Laugh helping my mom get back on her feet and giving me a running start to life!” -Anonymous Giraffe Laugh Child
3600 children in Idaho are abused and neglected every year. When parents are empowered, connected, and given information and support in times of need, they are less likely to abuse their children.
PROPORTION OF RACIAL DEMOGRAPHICS REPRESENTED AT GIRAFFE LAUGH WHITE OTHER BLACK ASIAN HAWAIIAN
$10 PER WEEK
provides access to quality care and education in the form of a scholarship for one child.
27% FEMALE HEADS OF HOUSE
50% LOW INCOME
22% LATINX
1% DISABLED
In 2021, due to the rise of Covid-19 and the strain it placed on families in our community, we opened our food pantries up to the local Treasure Valley community as well as Giraffe Laugh families and staff. During this time, we saw an over 200% rise in our food pantry usage. Thanks to our partnership with the Idaho Foodbank, we have been able to keep our pantries filled with a wide array of produce, meats, dairy products, shelf-stable protein, and canned goods.
the number of children the number of adults the number of families the amount Human Bean and provided food through provided food through who recieved holiday Alberstons donated in food and our food pantry in 2021. our food pantry in 2021. food baskets in 2021. gift cards for our food program.
You can provide 200 children with a healthy breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack with just...
The photo above shows the difference of our food pantry in just an hour and forty five minutes
Bernie and Warren McCain Fund in the Idaho Community Foundation • Boise Cascade Company • Charities Aid Foundation of America • Community House Inc. • Covid-19 Response and Recovery Fund for Idaho Southwest in the Idaho Community Foundation • Dix Brown Memorial Fund in Vanguard Charitable • Feldman Family Foundation, Inc • First Interstate Bank • Forever Idaho Southwest Grant in the Idaho Community Foundation •Gladys E. Langroise Advised Fund in Idaho Community Foundation • Home Partnership Foundation, Inc. • HP, Inc. • Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children (Idaho AEYC) • Idaho Children's Trust Fund • Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW) • Idaho Food Bank • IDACORP Employee Fund • J.R. Simplot Company Foundation • Kissler Family Foundation • Kissler Family Foundation Philanthropic Gift Fund in the Idaho Community Foundation • Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation, Inc • Micki and Dan Chapin Education Fund in the Idaho Community Foundation • Mountain West Bank • Nutrition Works • Scentsy, Inc. • St. Luke's Community Health Improvement Fund (CHIF) • The Albertsons Companies Foundation Nourishing Neighbors • The Fund For Joe's Kids in the Idaho Community Foundation • The Julius C. Jeker Foundation Inc • The Stafford Memorial Fund in the Idaho Community Foundation • Tinstman Family Fund in the Idaho Community Foundation • United Way of Treasure Valley • Whittenberger Foundation • Winco Foods Foundation INC.
Community Development Inc. (CDI) • Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship • Deloitte • ESI Cares Inc. • Fairway Independent Mortgage • Happy Family Brands - New York • Hawley Troxell • Idaho Central Credit Union • Rotary Club of Boise Centennial • Race to Robie Creek - Rocky Canyon Sail Toads • Smitten Sweets
Fleurette was a bright light in the lives of many Giraffe Laugh staff and families. She spent many days volunteering in our centers, helping out at events and bringing joy to all those who were near. Although Fleurette has passed on to the great beyond, her memory and light will shine in all of us for years to come.
Amber & Scott Alexander • Brian Aragon • Megan & Michael Bjerke • Alisa Bondurant • Laura Brown • Jessica & Tyler Budzianowski • Mary Chivers Adcox • Shannon & Don Drum • Irma Echeverria • Alex Fascilla • Emily Fascilla • Joe & Lori Fascilla • Stacy Ware & Renae Goodwin-Ware • Jalene Greer • Linda & James Hardee • Dorothy Hardee • Kailey Holt • Richard Johnson • Jane & John Kuechle • Neile & Gary Kyle • Thomas & Tara Lloyd • Donna Dempster-McClain & John McClain • Debbie & Steve Miller • Sue & Steve Moore • Brandon Morgan • Teri & Richard Murrison • Alejandro & Lauren Necochea • Dr. George & Judy Nicola • Asa & Chris Nims • Theresa O'Connor • Jeff & Jennifer Reynolds • Andrea Roope • Kirk A. & Carolyn M. Ross • Cassie Runyan • Emily & Kurt Solly • Jim & Patti Stevenson • Maria Suarez • Scott Summerlin • Traci & Randy Trefaller-Smith • Patricia Truman • Cassandra Wagner • Julie & JT Waters • Jonna & Reed Weber • Chuck & Stefani Westerberg • Dr. Dean and Julie Younce
www.giraffelaugh.org 208-954-5455