When little Blen arrived from the Montagnard region of Vietnam, she couldn’t speak any English. Her social skills were limited, and her chances for success in school and in life looked grim.
After completing Guilford Child Development’s Head Start preschool program, Blen now speaks fluent English and is at the head of her kindergarten class. Blen is on her way to becoming a productive and responsible citizen of Guilford County.
For hundreds of children living in poverty in Guilford County, the future is likely not as bright. When families are forced to choose between food, rent, or a quality early childhood education for their children, survival needs come first. Many young children end up with family members or unregulated care. As a result, they enter kindergarten behind their peers, unable to catch up.
Watch this short video from a child's perspective.
What are the costs to Guilford County when our children enter school unprepared? INCREASED abuse, depression, school failure, teen pregnancy, education costs, welfare expenses, criminal justice expenses, juvenile delinquency, and crime.
DECREASED workforce skills, economic productivity, and responsible citizenship.
Each day in Guilford County, hundreds of young children sit at home or in a low quality daycare environment. As their chance to prepare for kindergarten decreases, their chance to spend the rest of their lives in poverty increases.
Even though substantial evidence supports the effectiveness of early childhood education, less than 5% of public education funding goes toward early learning programs. Therefore, it’s up to us to get the job done.
The future of Guilford County depends on the children of today. We desperately need your help to give every child in Guilford County the chance to succeed in school and in life.
Decades of neuroscience and behavioral research helps illustrate why child development—particularly from birth to five years—is a foundation for a prosperous and sustainable society.
According to Harvard University's National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, "Chronic, unrelenting stress in early childhood, caused by extreme poverty, repeated abuse, or severe maternal depression, for example, can be toxic to the developing brain. This can lead to life-long problems in learning, behavior, and physical and mental health."
Hundreds of children in Guilford County live in these toxic environments that give them little chance of future success. Their chances are far greater of becoming the next school drop out, pregnant teen, or juvenile delinquent.
For over 40 years, Guilford Child Development has understood that investing in young children and families leads to future economic productivity and responsible citizenship in Guilford County. Each of our five distinct yet supportive programs plays a vital role in preparing at-risk children for success in school and in life.
The Science of Early Childhood Development Promotes an understanding of the basic science of early childhood development and informs both public and private sector investment in young children and their families.
You need only to look at the successes of those we've served to see the positive impact that quality, family-centered, early learning programs can have on the future of Guilford County...
...Like the story of Tori who wanted to go back to school after a having a stroke but couldn't afford child care for her two youngest children. GCD's Regional Child Care Resources and Referral program provided Tori with a child care scholarship that enabled her to obtain a Pharmacy Technician degree. Tori is now working towards a degree in Medical Office Administration.
The more our community invests in underserved young children and families, the greater the impact in terms of future prosperity for Guilford County.
Consider the return on investment as noted in the following studies:
High/Scope Study of Perry Preschool
In early 1960's, 123 children from low-income families in Ypsilanit, Michigan.
Children randomly selected to attend Perry or control group.
High-quality program with well trained teachers, daily classroom sessions and weekly home visits.
Tracked participants and control group through age 40.
Estimated Return on Investment Benefit - Cost Ratio = $17 to $1
Abecedarian, Educational Child Care
Full-day, year-round program near Chapel Hill, NC.
Children from low-income families were randomly selected to attend Abecedarian or control group.
Estimated Return on Investment Benefit - Cost Ratio = $4 to $1
View and Download a Compilation of These and Other Studies
Early Childhood Development: Economic Development with a High Public Return Research studies showing the educational, health, and economic effects, costs and benefits, and return on investment of early childhood learning expenditures; a far greater return on public investment than found with primary, secondary or post-secondary education.
Following are just a few of the ways your generous donation can make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged young children and families living in Guilford County:
Help a young child overcome obstacles like poor health and emotional stress and receive a quality preschool education.
Help a pregnant teen become a responsible mother, self-sufficient, and achieve her life goals.
Help a father become more involved in his child's life and better himself.
Help a working mother, in dire circumstances, pay for quality childcare so she can continue to work and provide a brighter future for her child(ren).
Help provide literacy opportunities for an immigrant family.
Help a young mother obtain her GED while her child attends one of our quality preschool centers.
Hundreds of children and families in Guilford County are on the waiting list to receive this help.
Your generous contribution goes directly towards the greatest need among those we serve.
According to Harvard University's National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, "Chronic, unrelenting stress in early childhood, caused by extreme poverty, repeated abuse, or severe maternal depression, for example, can be toxic to the developing brain. This can lead to life-long problems in learning, behavior, and physical and mental health."
