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Apple Valley, MN - This year marks the 20th year Early Childhood Family Services has offered vital community programs to Independent School District 196, and the first year a major campaign will be launched to raise funds for those programs.
The Foundation for Early Childhood Family Services, ISD 196 was formed in June, 2003 to support ECFS and its efforts. Reacting to diminishing state aid to ECFS and the many significant programs, class offerings, and staff that have been cut, the Foundation has launched a massive fundraising campaign to build community awareness and support. This year’s campaign goal: to raise $200,000 for ECFS Family School and School Readiness programs, reduce Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) sliding scale fees, and to create and endowment program for ECFS.
Working with consulting group HBH & Associates, the Foundation has rallied an active volunteer campaign committee to develop, organize, and implement this year’s campaign, which will involve district-wide mailings and donor-recognition events.
“Though we are optimistic that this and future state governments will recognize the importance of ECFS programs to the health of our communities, experience tells us we cannot rely solely on state aid,” said Kelly O’Rourke Johns, Chair of the Foundation. “In order to be sure these services remain in this district, we need to reach out to the community itself and spread the word.”
Johns believes early childhood and parenting education in the first stages of young family development directly impacts the vitality of our school systems and our district.
Said Johns, “Reaching out to the increasing immigrant population in the area, teaching them literacy and giving them support, can only benefit us as a whole. It’s time the residents of ISD 196 took note. These ECFS programs are absolutely integral to the socio-economic growth of the area.”
Those interested in volunteering for the Foundation for Early Childhood Family Services, ISD 196 may contact Kelly O’Rourke Johns at 763-542-9634 or by e-mail. Please also consider making a donation to the Foundation.
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