Did you know that in the Greater Elgin area, there are over 18,000 children under the age of five, with 34% living in low-income families? While 5,500 children qualify for free early care and education programs, only 1 in 3 can be served due to a shortage of available slots. This leaves thousands of children at risk of falling behind before they even reach kindergarten. You can help change this by investing in a comprehensive and equitable birth-to-five system for our community’s children. By supporting a child during their first 2,000 days—birth to kindergarten—you can make a lasting impact when 85-90% of brain development occurs.
EPEL supports families’ journeys so children have a STRONG START.
Join us on the journey of ENGAGING, INFORMING, EQUIPPING, and SUPPORTING our youngest learners on the Road to Readiness.
Help shape a child’s future by ANSWERING THE CALL for early childhood today so all children START AHEAD!
Consider making your donation a re-occurring monthly investment of $25, $50, or $100 for our youngest learners by clicking monthly on the donation page.
Donation Suggestions
Please choose from the following donation options to make an impact on our youngest children in the community.
$25 – Provides 1 Basics Brain Bag for a family (book & materials included)
$50 – Funds 2 hours of a bilingual Family Specialist to Engage, Inform, Equip, and Support families with needed readiness skills
$100 – Purchases 12 bilingual books for children
$250 – Provides 5 Basics Principles Video Books for places where families wait
$500 – Provides 2 Basics Engagement Stations in the community (table, 2 chairs, books, learning toys, signage)
$1,000 – Expands Access by helping fund 1 Mobile Learning neighborhood site
