Governor Charlie Baker and Mayor Martin J. Walsh to attend, speak
Dorchester, MA (November 8, 2018) – On Monday, November 19 at 8:00 a.m., Governor Charlie Baker and Mayor Martin J. Walsh, among other state and city officials and guests, will join the Epiphany School to celebrate the opening of its innovative Early Learning Center (ELC) for infants, toddlers, and their families. Epiphany partners with low-income families to help them get on their feet and provides long-term support for their children through college and beyond.
For 20 years, Epiphany School has been breaking cycles of poverty through education for children and their families (over 80 percent of graduates attend college compared to only 9 percent of their peers from the same demographic). Now Epiphany is taking its model to newborns. Everything done at Epiphany is geared toward children and families reaching their full life potential, and that will continue in the new ELC with full scholarships for all families, effectively supporting their ability to achieve economic independence.
The new 17,000 square foot, state-of-the-art Reggio Emilia and Montessori-inspired facility was completed earlier this year as part of Epiphany School’s $25 million Starting Younger, Growing Stronger capital campaign currently underway. This effort is being supported by numerous private philanthropists and a $500K Early Education and Out-of-School Time grant financed through the Commonwealth’s capital budget and managed by the Children’s Investment Fund. In September, Epiphany welcomed its first class of 16 infants and 4 preschoolers. The Center is licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care and will serve 64 children and their entire families at full capacity.
- WHAT: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Epiphany School’s Early Learning Center (ELC) (Breakfast will be provided)
- WHERE: 230 Centre Street in Dorchester, MA
- WHEN: Monday, November 19 at 7:45 a.m. (Speaking program from 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.)
- WHO:
- Governor Charlie Baker
- Secretary of Education James Peyse
- Commissioner of the MA Department of Early Education and Care Thomas L. Webe
- Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh
- Director, Epiphany School Early Learning Center Michelle Sanchez
- Head of Epiphany School John Finley
- Executive Director of Parenting Journey, Imari Paris Jeffries
- The Rt. Rev. Alan Gates, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts
- PHOTO OPP: State and city officials join Epiphany School representatives, and students and families for ribbon cutting of the school’s new ELC.
- MEDIA CONTACTS: Lori Smith Britton, lbritton@epiphanyschool.com, (c) 617-967-2434, Amanda Albert, aalbert@thecastlegrp.com, (c) 774-274-8399
The research in early education is unequivocal: the first five years of life are critical to a child’s cognitive development. High- quality, affordable early education and care that includes a wide range of imbedded supports leads to positive outcomes for children and entire families. Epiphany’s ELC benefits the health and wellbeing of early learners and their mothers and fathers, beginning in the prenatal period and throughout a child’s life.
With the help of many great partners, Epiphany’s ELC will ensure more children start elementary school able to learn and demonstrate high achievement outcomes with parents who are ready to support them and thrive. Partnerships with social service and educational organizations have created a holistic, integrated program. Collaborating partners who support ELC’s whole-family model include Boston University, Cambridge Family and Children’s Service, Codman Square Health Center, C-PLAN, Father’s Uplift, Jeremiah Program, Jewish Vocational Services, Mass Housing, Parenting Journey, and Room to Grow.
The community benefits of Epiphany’s ELC will be significant. Students will be school-ready, and their families will be in a solid position to support their children’s learning as well as continue their own development. Children will perform better academically, and families will be self-sufficient and financially independent.
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