In 2021, Mike McNally embarked on a mission to address needs identified by vineyard stewards in Oregon, focusing on housing and child care. This led to the formation of Primeros Pasos, a consortium aimed at creating best-in-class early childhood education and care for Latina communities in Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties. Originally published by EdNC on 12/6/2023.
As 2023 draws to a close, we are celebrating on a high note and want to express our deepest gratitude for everything we accomplished together this year! As champions for children, our collective efforts made a critical impact on Oregon’s early childhood landscape, from individual families to important legislative wins, and internal growth. To recap the past year, we've compiled a list of our favorite moments from 2023.
In collaboration with Suzie Kuerschner and S.P.I.R.I.T.S., we explore Indigenous innovations in early childhood, culturally-aligned educational services, and the power of Collaborative Circles of Care.
Kali Thorne Ladd reflects on the recent Champions for Children - 20 Years of Impact event, which celebrated the past 20 years of Children's Institute's work to make Oregon the best place to be a kid. Thank you to all the champions for children who joined us and if you couldn't make it, read on to see how you can join our movement.
Children's Institute was honored to present Ron Herndon with the 2023 Alexander Award. Ron exemplifies what it means to be a champion for children. He has spent decades working on behalf of young children and families here in Oregon, and across the nation. We extend heartfelt gratitude to Ron for his unwavering commitment and dedication.
In 2022-2023, Children’s Institute (CI) worked with Promise Venture Studio to explore how to scale the Early Learning Academy, CI's training platform for strengthening early learning in school districts in Oregon. Through an 18-week Promising Ventures Fellowship, this opportunity supported growth-stage equity-driven ventures focused on making a difference in the lives of children prenatal to age 5, and their families and caregivers.
This longform piece, written by guest contributor Adriane Blackman, details how Yoncalla Early Works has driven an ecosystem of community and care to support the health and wellbeing of children and families in rural, southern Oregon.
The school season is upon us once more, carrying with it the usual back-to-school hustle and bustle of drop-offs and pick-ups, prepping school lunches, homework, and a whirlwind of after-school activities. While some of us may not feel entirely prepared for the...
The sun dips lower in the sky on a hazy evening in late August, casting a warm golden hue across the football field at Yoncalla High School. The hum of excited chatter sets the scene, and children laugh and play. As the night unfolds, the sounds of music from a live band dance through the air as families mingle and children savor the remaining sunlight, on the cusp of a new school year. Framed by a stunning view of the Umpqua Valley, Yoncalla’s annual community barbecue has become a symbol of togetherness, woven into the fabric of the town.
We're sitting across the screen with Dani Boylan, director of early learning at St. Helens Early Learning. This is her second year running Kinder Camp after several years of teaching preschool. Students from three schools (McBride, Columbia City, and Lewis and Clark) gather in the kindergarten classes of the latter’s elementary school, filling the hallways with joyful sounds. Though their program faced significant state budget cuts which limited the scope for 2023, teachers and administrators in St. Helens worked together to reorganize for the year. They made a plan that made the most of the resources available, setting up intentionally small class sizes and offering support for children with varying social emotional needs. I eagerly pull my list of questions in front of me, and we begin our virtual interview.
