What do Durham's youngest kids need? Tell our local leaders!
Got ideas about how Durham County can give children a great start in life and help kids thrive? Durham County leaders want to hear from you!
Right now in Durham, there are approximately 36,000 children ages 0-8 living in our community. The opportunities they have in these early years (and the ones they don’t) have the potential to significantly impact their future. Research tells us that children who have high-quality early learning experiences are more likely to succeed in school, graduate from high school, gain stable employment, and are less likely to be arrested later in life. In fact, high-quality early learning has the potential to prevent the opportunity gap before it even starts.
This matters a great deal in Durham County where 26 percent of our community’s children live at or below poverty level and only 38 percent enter kindergarten ready to learn. All Durham’s children need opportunities that allow each and every child to thrive.
With so much at stake, Durham County, along with the Partnership for Children and Child Care Services Association, is convening an Early Childhood Community Forum next Saturday, March 10, from 9 am-12 pm for parents, caregivers and other interested citizens to share your thoughts and suggestions.
***Whether your children are still in those early years, you have older kids, or you are simply someone who cares deeply about Durham’s children, your voice and ideas are needed. MomsRising will be there, and we hope you will be, too. RSVP here to let us know to look for you.