Business Leaders Weigh in on the Importance of Early Education

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Executive Leadership Outlook

Spring 2011

RCN's Committment To Young Mothers and Their Babies

by Marsha Dumka, Executive Director and Andrea Zuegel, Board Chair

In Rochester there is a common challenge facing many young mothers growing up in poverty – how to make a better life for themselves and their children. Our Nurturing Communities Program at RCN has completed its first year pilot project, assisting these young mothers to navigate many complex systems – enrolling in college, caring for their baby’s physical and developmental needs and making sure they have adequate food and shelter. Several years in the making, the collaborative effort between Rochester Childfirst Network (RCN), Jim Coffey (founder of 292 Baby), Monroe Community College, Monroe County and Golisano Children’s Hospital celebrated the start of year 2 with a well-attended Community Open House.

The educational/training component helps move these young mothers towards employment in the field of child care. With 3 years of RCN work experience and a Child Development Associates certificate and/or an associate’s degree our staff mom’s have marketable skills that qualify them for a position in the child care field.

 “This Program has made me actually have goals, it’s made me stay on track and focused on what is really important. My motivation is knowing I am part of something wonderful that will benefit me and my children now and in the future.” Alicia, NC Staff Mom

Research shows us that 75% of brain growth occurs before the age of five, with 85% of social skills, vocabulary and intellect also developing at this very early age. Nurturing Communities is designed to maximize the opportunity for babies to develop early literacy skills including vocabulary and problem solving, as well as forming “secure attachments” with their mothers by providing the child with a strong social and emotional foundation in the first years of life. 

Although this program is intense and takes a strong commitment and hard work by the staff mothers the investment in time and effort is priceless as it relates to their future success. In these challenging times where dollars are becoming scarcer, we are proud to have completed this year of piloting an innovative program, combining pre-existing public funding sources, with private donations in a model that does not exist anywhere else. Congratulations to the staff, volunteers and mom’s for the tremendous growth and accomplishments over this first year! 

If you missed our Open House in early March, please let us know and we can supply more information about Nurturing Communities or set up a tour for you. 

Fall 2010

by Marsha Dumka, Executive Director and Andrea Zuegel, Board Chair

A Child Who Starts Behind, Stays Behind…

Education is not only the key to future success in life; it is also the cornerstone of our democracy. Children, who learn to be thoughtful, confident adults, will be able to better evaluate the role of their government. RCN’s mission embraces the belief that every child has the right to the best education available. As supporters of RCN you know that with this comes the strongest guarantee for success that a child has.

That said, the Rochester community has a high percentage of children living in poverty, which directly affects their chance for good education. We know that if a child starts behind, they stay behind:

500-1,100 words: The difference in the size of a three year old’s vocabulary, between a child living in poverty and low literacy versus a child living in middle class with high literacy.

700: The number of new neural connections that should be forming every second in a young child’s brain. These connections are the foundation for all future learning, behavior and health.

200%: The jump in a child’s likelihood of attending college, when he or she attends a quality early care program such as RCN’s.

RCN continues to close the achievement gap for disadvantaged children as our classrooms consistently score in the highest range of classroom assessments. As a community, we need well-educated problem solvers, who can read between the lines of a book, on the internet and in daily conversation. These future leaders will make the best decisions for themselves and their communities. As we emerge from election season, with many tough choices facing us daily, it becomes even more apparent that our children need to develop the skills to become a voice for themselves and of those around them. Your support for RCN helps to build a stronger community, and give every child the opportunity to not be left behind. Thank you for engaging with us in being a voice for positive change.