Board of Directors
Message from the Chair and Executive Director
In the last 29 years ABC Head Start has provided over 7000 children and families with
access to quality early learning and assisted parents to help their children grow and thrive.
Over that period the literature and our understanding of the critical importance of early
brain development, quality early childhood environments and experiences and the profound
impact of investment in early childhood has grown exponentially. However, as we prepare
to enter our 30th year, children and families with limited incomes continue to be
disproportionately left out of access to early learning environments. This despite
compelling evidence that socioeconomic status is related negatively to Kindergarten
readiness and school achievement. Consequently, not only do families from higher income
groups start school with advantages, these advantages are magnified by the ability to afford
quality early childhood and early learning programs. Public funding for early learning or
preschool programs in Alberta is limited to children with delays or disabilities or who are
learning English as a second language.
Currently in Edmonton 32.7% of children are experiencing great difficulty in one or more
areas of development at Kindergarten compared to 28.9% in Alberta and 25.4% across
Canada. (Early Childhood Development Instrument – Edmonton Community Report – May
2014). We all have a responsibility to our children to do better for them.
Since 2005 ABC Head Start has increased the spaces in our program over 60% and yet
we still have waiting lists particularly for children who do not qualify for public education
funding. In the last 2 years, we have doubled our spaces for these children but continuing
to address this critical gap is one of our most challenging and pressing priorities as we
move forward and one that we challenge our funders, donors, supporters, staff, volunteers
and the Edmonton community to join us in meeting and in continuing to “Open doors for
children and families”.
“What the best and wisest
parent wants for his child,
that must we want for all
the children of the
community” – John Dewey
“The first 5 years have so
much to do with how the
next 80 turn out”
– Bill Gates Sr.
The generous volunteer contributions of our Board of Directors are essential to
ABC Head Start’s success. This year, in addition to overseeing the governance
of ABC Head Start, our Board of Directors supported the agency through a new
strategic priority on fund development and public relations support. This support
was critical in the success of our fund development efforts including the launch of
a new signature fundraiser in May 2014, Tapestry. They also hosted a fundraiser at
The Melting Pot in April when ABC Head Start was privileged to be the charity of
the month. Board members also visited classrooms and helped our children and
families celebrate Literacy Backpack Day.
Watch our new 2014 video all about ABC Head Start
We are grateful to our funders, donors, staff and volunteers for all the hard work and
support you gave to ABC Head Start in 2013/2014. It is only through your efforts and
commitment that we are able to move forward with our vision.
Our vision:
Every child a successful learner
Every family a committed partner
Every community a strong supporter
Thank you!
Brendan Storey And