Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024
Our education initiative Early Learning Washington County (ELWC) is officially 10 years strong, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate this journey with our community. On September 28, we marked a decade of hard work, growth, and transformation—all thanks to the tireless efforts of our partners, families, and community advocates. Together, we’ve laid a strong foundation for our children’s future, and we’re just getting started.
What’s ELWC All About?
Since its inception, ELWC has been at the forefront of creating a more cohesive, supportive system for early childhood education in Washington County. As part of Oregon’s Early Learning Hubs, which were established in 2015 under Senate Bill 213, ELWC has been laser-focused on several key goals:
- Improving Kindergarten Readiness: We work hard to ensure that children enter school ready to learn and succeed. By providing resources, tools, and support to families, we’re setting the stage for our youngest community members to thrive.
- Strengthening Family Stability: A child’s first and most important classroom is their home. ELWC is committed to strengthening family relationships by offering services that support families from prenatal stages through age 6. This stability sets the stage for long-term success.
- Streamlining Early Learning Services: We bring together various early learning programs and services to make them more accessible and effective for families. It’s all about making sure every child has what they need, when they need it.
- Championing Early Learning: Advocacy is at the heart of what we do. We lift up community voices, foster engagement, and promote best practices to ensure that early childhood education gets the attention and support it deserves.
As one of the celebrants at the 10 year anniversary put it so perfectly: "Early Learning Washington County supports us, funds our work, and allows us to lift up community voices." It’s this sense of collaboration and shared purpose that makes ELWC so impactful.
Parent Leadership: A Proud Achievement
One of the things we’re most proud of is the development of parent leaders through our Parent Advisory Council. Watching parents step into leadership roles and advocate for change in the early childhood system has been nothing short of inspiring. Their grassroots advocacy has not only strengthened the ELWC but also highlighted the importance of including diverse voices in decision-making.
Supporting parents as they pursue higher education, degrees, and certifications is another point of pride. This investment in their future creates a ripple effect that strengthens our entire community for generations to come.
Building a Stronger Community Together
Our focus on outreach and creating stronger community connections has also been key to our success. By listening to the needs of the families we serve, we’ve built trust, enhanced our programs, and made sure that the resources we provide are relevant and accessible. This collaborative approach means we’re not just serving the community—we’re part of it.
What’s Next for ELWC?
While we’ve achieved so much over the past 10 years, we know that there’s more work to do. Aligning services and resources to create a cohesive early childhood system is an ongoing goal, and it’s essential for maximizing our impact. We’ll continue to work hand-in-hand with families, educators, and community partners to ensure that every child in Washington County has the support they need to succeed.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey—here’s to the next 10 years of transforming lives and lifting up our community!
