CLC awarded grant by United Way of Western Connecticut

CLC classroom at the Palmers Hill location (contributed photo/CLC)

Children’s Learning Centers of Fairfield County (CLC), the second-largest center-based early childhood education nonprofit in CT, is the recipient of a $35,000 grant from United Way of Western Connecticut. The grant provides critical funding to CLC and helps make it possible for hard-working ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed) families to access high-quality early childhood education.

“At United Way of Western Connecticut, we realize how important child care is to helping people get back to work and supporting their families,” said Isabel Almeida, President of United Way of Western Connecticut. “Children’s Learning Centers is a valuable partner in the Stamford-area, providing quality care to the hard-working ALICE population. This funding enables parents to work and provides children with a good start in life. We are happy to help CLC support Stamford families through this grant.”

CLC serves families of all income levels and offers qualifying families sliding scale fees based on family size and income. CLC recently re-opened all 8 of its Stamford locations to serve 380 children, enabling nearly 500 parents to go back to work.

“We are extremely grateful for this grant from United Way of Western Connecticut. United Way’s support and partnership is vital to helping CLC fulfill its mission,” stated CLC Chief Executive Officer Marc Jaffe.

“Throughout the pandemic, CLC has been providing remote support to enrolled families, but for months we have strived to re-open to provide reliable and safe early childhood education and care that enables parents to return to work.” CLC is more than an early childhood education center; it is “an economic engine,” explains Jaffe. “We enable more parents of young children to work than any other nonprofit in Southwest Connecticut.” Under normal circumstances, CLC educates and cares for 950 children a day, 10 hours a day, 51 weeks a year in its 8 locations. In addition, CLC is the largest food provider to young children in Southwest Connecticut, serving nearly ½ million meals and snacks a year.

Even with physical centers open, CLC will continue to provide remote learning and support services to children who can’t join classrooms right away. This is especially unique because online learning is not typically delivered to preschool children. The pandemic has not changed CLC’s resolve and commitment to prepare the next generation for a promising future.

CLC is accepting enrollment inquiries at 203-967-6960. Families interested in enrolling in Early Head Start or Head Start may call 203-989-0228.

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