Q3 ELCHC Newsletter
Did you know?
The ELCHC was established as a nonprofit in 2000, marking 25 years of supporting children, families, and educators in our community. This milestone wouldn’t be possible without YOU!
ELCHC Wins Gold
We are proud to announce that the ELCHC has been awarded a GOLD ADDY by the Tampa Bay chapter of the American Advertising Federation for our animated short, Mateo. The short powerfully highlights the tough choices many families face — like choosing between groceries or childcare — and emphasizes the critical need for early learning support. This recognition honors our mission to elevate awareness and advocate for accessible, high-quality early education for all families in our community.
Empowering Families Through Outreach
Community Connections in Action
We’re focused on growing strong partnerships, sharing the importance of literacy, and supporting families in these communities in accessing resources.
Here’s a brief look at a few of the events we hosted or joined in the past quarter:
Strawberry Festival Parade in Plant City
We were honored to participate in the Strawberry Festival Parade, where we distributed over 3,500 books to attendees. Each book had a sticker attached that provided information about the Early Learning Coalition, prompting families to discover the magic of early learning.
Be My Neighbor Day with WEDU PBS
Partnering with WEDU PBS, we attended Be My Neighbor Day, reaching thousands of individuals in the community. The Early Learning Coalition placed 570 books into the hands of eager young readers.
Spring Day of Play at Gardenville Recreation Center
The Early Learning Coalition hosted a Day of Play at the Gardenville Recreation Center, Gibsonton, bringing together over 250 individuals. Families and children (birth to age five) engaged in interactive developmentally age-appropriate activities, were connected to ELCHC programs, and provided resources from community partners while enjoying a fun day of play. Our organization was able to distribute over 450 books through this successful event. Our next Day of Play is June 7, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Victor Crist Community Center, 14013. N 22nd Street, Tampa, FL. Day of Play is at no cost to families.
Meet the Team
Relief, Recovery and Resilience
Helping Educators Rebuild
When Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck Tampa Bay in September and October of 2024, our community faced unimaginable hardship. The winds were fierce, the flooding relentless, and no one escaped the wrath of the storms.
Child care programs across the region were deeply impacted. Classrooms filled with laughter just days before were left damaged and dark. Extended power outages meant spoiled food, unexpected closures, and for many, a heartbreaking loss of income.
In our community’s time of need, Save the Children stepped forward with compassion and generosity. Thanks to a remarkable $300,000 grant, the ELCHC was able to provide lost wage stipends to over 500 early educators who were financially affected by the storms.
The call to help the child care industry get back on their feet was also heard by The Florida Chamber. The Chamber organized philanthropic relief from many of the State’s largest companies, which aided the Tampa Bay area with more than $170,000 of funding to restore the most severely damaged child care programs.
These funds did more than relieve economic stress—they served as a reminder to each educator that their work matters, and that they are not alone. In a time of uncertainty, Save the Children and the Florida Chamber helped restore stability for the very individuals who give so much of themselves to support children and families in our community.
To Save the Children and The Florida Chamber: Thank You!
Reimagining Professional Development for Early Childhood Educators
Elevating Educators, Building Futures
Over the past decade, the ELCHC has been recognized as a leader for early childhood professionals. In-person learning events and workshops focused on social-emotional best practices, curriculum & instructional support, and maintain a healthy and safe learning environment. In 2018, the ELCHC earned the distinguished IACET accreditation for continuing education—an honor held by only 3 coalitions across Florida at the time-solidifying its commitment to high-quality professional learning.
In response to the evolving needs of the early education community, ELCHC has shifted to a more flexible, inclusive model of professional development. Virtual events now outpace in-person sessions, and a broader range of topics are available in both English and Spanish. Annual feedback from educators helps shape offerings in collaboration with community partners, ensuring content remains relevant and accessible.
