ECE Ambassadors Have Busy Back-to-School Season

Back-to-school season is a hectic time for many - and our Early Childhood Education (ECE) Ambassadors are no exception! This group, comprised of 19 parents, early education professionals and advocates, has been popping up at events and resources fairs across the community to share their passion for child care. Their efforts have drastically expanded awareness of Milwaukee Succeeds' work, as well as increasing our list of ECE champions who are eager to engage with the cause.

Here's a quick peek at what this dedicated group has been up to throughout July and August.

Amani Neighborhood Resource Fairs

COA Goldin hosted two pop-up resource fairs - one on July 25 and the other on August 10. Both focused on building a sese of comradery amongst neighbors and community members, with a specific focus on family wellness, youth leadership, early care and early literacy. The ECE Ambassadors used the opportunities to build out their family outreach list, as well as building awareness about ECE supports and community empowerment.

The Ambassadors will also be connecting with COA's ECE leadership team to develop an ongoing engagement initiative focused on ECE leadership, advocacy and continued collaboration.

Home Daycare Outreach

On July 28, Yimma's Bright Beginnings Daycare hosted a special event for home daycare providers to discuss various aspects of opening and operating such a business. Speakers from a handful of real estate advisory organizations joined to share their advice on the subject.

The ECE Ambassadors closed out the event with an introduction to Milwaukee Succeeds and the vital work we're doing. Their talk touched on the importance of ECE supports, specifically Wisconsin Shares, educator trainings, scholarships and more.

"We connected with a handful of new home daycare providers who were very excited to learn about Milwaukee Succeeds!" says Anna Smerchek, community engagement fellow. "We've been invited to a number of upcoming events these providers will be hosting for their families to speak more about how we can partner together in our continued fight for early childhood education."

District 6 National Night Out

The Milwaukee Police Department held their annual National Night Out for District 6 on August 3 in partnership with the Bay View Community Center. Families and community members stopped by to browse resources around family wellness, healthcare, youth leadership, school readiness and early childhood education supports (hosted by the ECE Ambassadors). MPD also handed out backpacks filled with brand new school supplies in preparation for back-to-school season.

You'll also catch the Ambassadors - along with several ECE Coalition partners - at Bay View Community Center's upcoming Bay View Bash on September 16!

Malaika Back-to-School Block Party

Malaika's annual Back-to-School Block Party on August 5 drew in over 100 families, who were eager to browse the Milwaukee Succeeds resource table and connect with our Ambassadors. They also enjoyed a surprise appearance from the Milwaukee Brewers sausages, as well as sports stations, a live DJ, a backpack giveaway and more.

The Ambassadors are intentionally partnering with Malaika and their executive director, Tamara Johnson, to identify family leaders. These individuals will help inform our ongoing strategic planning around continued ECE supports, specifically grassroots organizing and family advocacy.

TenderCare Back-to-School BBQ

On August 11, the Ambassadors hosted an outreach table at TenderCare Christian's 8th Annual Backyard Back-to-School BBQ. Families stopped by the booth to speak with our Ambassadors about the lack of high-quality child care options, ECE workforce supports, the accreditation process and becoming an ECE advocate.

"We could tell that after these conversations, families felt empowered to join forces with us and help continue the fight for ECE!" says Anna.

Betty Brinn Back-to-School Event

On August 17, the Ambassadors made a stop at Betty Brinn Children's Museum for their Back-to-School Resource Fair & Backpack Breakfast. The event provided children entering K3-5th grades with free backpacks filled with school supplies, in addition to connecting their families with education-based resources. The event drew in quite the crowd, and our Ambassadors had a great time talking with the community, sharing their ECE stories and signing up more families to their ECE contact list.

On top of that, the Ambassadors connected with several community partners passionate about ECE, hoping to continue expanding the reach of the ECE Coalition.

Celebrating our Ambassadors

On August 19, the Ambassadors gathered at JB's on 41/Bowlero to celebrate the incredible work they've been doing. The Ambassadors and their families bowled, danced and dined throughout the afternoon.

"From the start of summer," says Anna, "our ECE Ambassadors have attended over 19 outreach events as they continue to connect with and empower the community around early childhood education."

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