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. Our policy team worked with community partners to successfully advocate for major state funding in early childhood. We brought more people onto our staff team, which included the addition of a new Senior Health Policy Advisor role. Meanwhile, our School-Based Initiatives team helped school districts across Oregon increase preschool enrollment and supported over 73,000 children! And as we reached our 20th anniversary, we celebrated this milestone with our largest supporter gathering yet at the Champions for Children–20 Years of Impact luncheon.
These achievements directly impact the lives of Oregon’s children. Families will have greater access to child care facilities. Educators and administrators will have the additional support they need to help children learn. And thousands more of our youngest learners across the state will have access to the love, care, and education they need—and so deserve—to thrive. This includes opportunities to attend preschool, receive inclusive care, and develop literacy skills. This is the work that inspires us every day and we are excited for what the year ahead will bring, with our partners and supporters alongside us.
To recap the past year, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite moments from 2023. Take a look!
Top 10 Moments of 2023
1. Celebrated 20 years of Children’s Institute’s impact at our Champions for Children luncheon with over 550 people!
2. Honored Ron Herndon’s legacy with the 2023 Alexander Award.
3. Brought new staff onto our team! We are so glad that Aditi, Andi, Elena, Destiny, Julio, and Suzanna joined us in 2023.
4. Worked in collaboration with partners to help secure $100 million for early literacy and $55 million for early childhood infrastructure in the 2023 legislative session.
5. Convened our first in-person advocacy event since the beginning of the pandemic with Early Childhood Coalition partners at the State Capitol!
6. Participated in the Promise Ventures Fellowship.
7. Celebrated 10 years of Yoncalla Early Works!
8. Hosted the first Early School Success leadership camp for educators.
9. Kali Thorne Ladd appeared on Hello! Rose City, Afternoon Live, and AM Northwest!
10. Secured a new office space at the Crown Plaza in downtown Portland.
We invite you to reflect on these with joy and inspiration, as these are all a result of our collective vision and impact. We are excited about all the possibilities in the coming year!