West Side learning center will expand on early childhood services to families in 16 communities through a major federal grant
Photo taken by Valeria Garcia
The Carole Robertson Center has recently been awarded a $20 million Early Head Start Expansion grant from the Administration of Children and Families (ACF). The center has been educating and empowering the West Side of Chicago through child and family development support services and programs since 1976.
According to Sonja Crum Knight, vice president of program and impact at The Carole Robertson Center, the grant, which will be administered over five years, will allow the center to nearly double their early childhood services.
“It represents $20 million over the next 5 years and it will have a real impact on children, families, and our partners,” said Knight.
The Carole Robertson Center of Learning has been a community based center ever since they opened their doors. The center was founded by parents in the community as a start for equality in response to the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement. The center is named after Carole Roberstson, one of the four little girls killed during an Alabama church bombing.
“We started with a small youth development program and expanded to an early learning program and grew to a program also serving youth and children zero to three. Our model offers every early learning program model that exists,” said Knight.
Photo taken by Valeria Garcia
The Carole Robertson Center of Learning is currently serving more than 1,000 children with their enriching programs that provide early comprehensive education.
Photo taken by Valeria Garcia
This expansion grant will not only allow for the center to nearly double Early Head Start programs, but also allow opportunities specifically beneficial for Chicago children. There are plans to expand their kindergarten readiness services to 185 additional infants, toddlers, and expectant mothers. Along with hiring and training new staff members and partners, their partners are Chicago families and the center works with them in order to improve their role as a child’s first teacher.
Photo taken by Valeria Garcia
“All children can learn when they have enough to eat, reliable housing, and a healthy family.” Reported the center when talking about their partnering with families.
Photo taken by Valeria Garcia
This grant will also provide funding for startup needs such as new infant rooms and furnishing the center’s outdoor environments.
Photos taken by Valeria Garcia
According to an updated press release The Carole Robertson Center confirmed that this Early Head Start Funding will impact families and children in these 16 Chicago communities:
Albany Park, Ashburn, Auburn Gresham, Austin, Avalon Park, Brighton Park, Chatham, Clearing, Greater Grand Crossing, Little Village, North Lawndale, Portage Park, Roseland, South Lawndale, Washington Heights, and West Englewood.
The grant will also allow these types of services to be expanded to four new communities that are considered “early head start deserts”.
Sonja Crum Knight explains how there is a need for early learning programs, especially for children between the ages of infancy and toddler,
“The federal headstarts program was founded in the 60s. But Early Head Start for infants and toddlers was not in existence until the 90’s,” she said. “As a nation, we’re playing catch up to get early learning for communities that need it most.”
Photo taken by Valeria Garcia
“This funding gives us an opportunity to serve more Chicago children and families and provides
critical early learning programs in a child’s earliest years to prepare for kindergarten and
beyond” said Bela Moté, chief executive officer of THe Carole Robertson Center for Learning. “Early Head Start programs and services have always been essential for families in the communities we serve. So many here are essential workers who continue to support economic recovery for all, and we’re proud to put grants such as this to work for them.”
Photo taken by Valeria Garcia