My mother has worked for Connections for Children for years. She has done amazing work there along with all the staff. Everyone is incredibly friendly and dedicated to helping families find child care services. Early childhood education is essential and builds a foundation for life-long learning. If it had not been for my mom's dedication to my education starting at a young age, I would not have become the individual I am today
I participated in a work group helping Connections for Children consider opportunities for expanding their services into the community. I had no idea how many services this organization offers. I was very impressed with the professionalism of the staff and the extent to which the lived their mission -- providing quality care and services to children and their families.
Connections for Children is an important institution for the community. it serves those in need of child care referrals, child care assistance, provides education to childcare providers,and acts as a link between the the children and the government agencies that support them. CFC works hard for those (the little kids)who cannot represent themselves in front of government agencies. their team is dedicated to helping children and childcare providers. In this era of shrinking budgets, CFC somehow manages to do more with less. CFC's executives and staff reaches out to the community to improve the quality of childcare and assist those parents that need financial assistance for child care. they do a great job.
I helped found this organization many years ago, and have watched it grow in excellence of services provided to parents and their children in the challenging quest for child care. I am particularly impressed with the caring way in which staff members interact with clients; They have truly developed helpful, thoughtful connections for parents seeking care, and providers seeking to connect with parents.
Connections provides a critical service for the Santa Monica business community. Without Connections and meaningful support from local business, parents would be unable to adequately locate proper day care for their children while they are working. It is incumbent upon and a wise investment for all Santa Monica businesses to do their part by contributing to CFC so that CFC can enable the employees of Santa Monica businesses to keep those businesses as profitable as possible. Supporting CFC is a smart investment for all Santa area employers.
Santa Monica is a really difficult area in terms of finding quality, affordable child care. As a working parent, I was panicked trying to find childcare in Santa Monica I could afford and that would be safe and nurturing for my babies when I had to go back to work. Connections For Children provides an invaluable service for parents as well as children. This truly orgnanization deserves recognition for all they do to make children's lives better.
I work at a high quality childcare center and work together with Connections for Children in providing low-income families quality care for their children. Without this valuable resource in our community many children would not have the opportunity to grow to their fullest potential. I have been fortunate to have wittnessed many children who have reaped their benefits, going on to be successful in school as a result of the opportunities Connections for Children provides.
It is an amazing program that services low income families that are in need of child care services. Very professional and dedicated staff and upper management. It is a true pleasure to work with them
Connections for Children has been helpful in so many ways. They provide useful workshops for my staff to attend, the have provide critical support for parents in my program and they have supplied materials useful to creating a developmental curriculum for my program.
Connections provided me with the names of local child care providers that I could meet with when I was looking for full-time child care. Subsequently I participated in the Santa Monica Early Childhood Education Task Force and learned more about what this organization does. Not only do they act as a resource for parents but they help child care providers with education, training, resources, etc. so that smaller, in-home child care providers can offer the same type of high quality care that larger, center-based providers are able to offer. It truly is a win/win situation for parents and providers since Connections works both to increase the availablity of child care in Santa Monica and raise the quality of it at the same time.
Connections for Children - there in our time of need!
When I arrived in Los Angeles 17 years ago with my two-year-old toddler Eli, I was in dire financial straights, had no family, no husband and no support. To say that I was scared, lonely and overwhelmed would be a huge understatement.
I was in the quandary that so many single parents (and these days couples too) face. I did not want welfare, I needed to work, wanted to work, but how would I possibly be able to deal with the daunting cost of childcare? It was a nightmare, catch 22 situation.
I went from place to place, day care center to day care center asking for a scholarship, discount, anything!
But it was not until someone told me about Connections for Children that my life and my son’s changed in wonderful ways.
I applied for the program, got on the waiting list and crossed my fingers. A few months later I got the call that there was a spot for me in the program. I was going to be able to have almost all of my childcare costs taken care of!
To this struggling, frightened single mom, it was the best news that I could get. My son started his pre- school and I went to work.
My life has changed dramatically since that day so long ago.
My son is 19 and off on his own. Because of the help from Connections for Children, my son thrived, making friends and learning interesting new things every day and I could breathe again and sleep at night without the never ending worries that had plagued me before.
Quite literally Connections for Children saved my life. When I think of what would have happened to us if Connections didn’t exist, well, it is horrifying thought.
Connections was that ray of hope and help that bridged the gap between barely surviving and enjoying a thriving happy home!
I am now an author of both children’s and adult books. The founder of The Just Love Project 501c3 and a film and television producer.
I believe that none of this could have happened, if Connections for Children had not been there for us in our time of need.
In a world that is suffering so, and in a society that seems to spinning out of control, Connections for Children reminds us all once again, what is really important!
Children and those that love them, working together for solutions.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart Connections. May you continue to be that beacon of light for families struggling in the darkness.
For this grateful mom, words will never be able to thank you enough!
I have referred many families to Connections for Children to find out where they can get infant care and pre-school in our community. Connections can also help find financial assistance for low-income families, and will help people who want to start a family daycare business. They are an important resource for everyone who has children!
Connections for Children is a wonderful resource, provider, and community partner on behalf of young children. CFC works with center-based and home-based child care and early education providers to improve quality and build morale, professionalism, pride, knowledge, skills --- all good things! They also serve as a key resource for parents. I know them from my work as a community member (and elected official now). They are wonderful partners and collaborators. A few examples of great projects --- toy loan mobiles for home day care providers; working with mental health experts to provide center based and home based providers and parents with knowledge and skills for working with children who have special needs in an inclusion setting; Raising Readers community festival; staff attending and co-chairing City's Child Care and Early Education Task Force, .... I could go on and on. They are the glue that holds our early childhood community together and that keeps parents and families from falling apart!!