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March 22, 2007
You're It Business Breakfast
Communicating the Importance of Early Childhood Development and Readiness
United Way's First Focus on Kids and the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce sponsored the 2007 You're It Business Breakfast on Thursday, March 22 at the Doubletree Hotel. The purpose of this event was to engage and activate Tucson's business leaders around the importance of early childhood development and readiness.
The keynote speaker was businessman David Lawrence, the former publisher of The Miami Herald and current president of The Early Childhood Initiative Foundation in Florida who delivered an inspirational message urging businesses to get involved in one of three ways: to adopt a childcare center, to contribute match funding to the Diamond Challenge Grant, and/or to launch a Born Learning campaign in their workplace.
Speaking about childcare center adoption were Jerry Cacciatore of St. Mary's Managed Pharmacy Programs and Lilliana Novak of Primavera Preschool. The Cacciatore family recently contributed $5,000 to the Diamond Challenge Grant and adopted Primavera Preschool as its selected center for whom the family would work hands-on to improve quality. This partnership will allow for construction of a licensed kitchen in which to prepare hot meals for the 40 children who attend the preschool.
Jill Morgan, the Early Education Manager for First Focus on Kids, presented about Born Learning and offered three specific ways businesses could easily and quickly launch a campaign: 1) Put a link to the Born Learning website (www.bornlearning.org) on the company's website; 2) Add a Born Learning parenting tip in each issue of the company newsletter that goes to its employees; 3) Hang a Born Learning poster (provided free to all event participants) in the company's employee break room.
Jill Morgan, the Early Education Manager for First Focus on Kids, presented about Born Learning and offered three specific ways businesses could easily and quickly launch a campaign: 1) Put a link to the Born Learning website (www.bornlearning.org) on the company's website; 2) Add a Born Learning parenting tip in each issue of the company newsletter that goes to its employees; 3) Hang a Born Learning poster (provided free to all event participants) in the company's employee breakroom.
Speaking for the Diamond family, Helaine Levy shared how her family came to be involved in the community-wide effort to improve the quality of early childhood education, as well as how important it is for others in Pima County to step forward and join them in this important cause. The Diamond family has pledged $1 million over five years. To date, $119,000 of $200,000 in match funding has been raised in the first year of the challenge grant.
The event was moderated by Jim Kiser of the Southern Arizona Leadership Council and was attended by 145 people, including 70 business and community leaders. The Arizona Daily Star reporter, Jane Erikson, is reporting on the event in this weekend's paper.
To read Jane Erikson's article click here or go to: http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/175248.php
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