A Child Care Dream Come True
During the month of December, we highlight families whose lives have been impacted by Children’s Council of San Francisco. With your support, we can keep our city’s parents working to support their families and, through quality child care and early education, ensure that all our children are Ready for School, and Ready for Life.
Starr Gul was a working single mom who needed child care for her two-year-old daughter Melina. Starr says, “Melina’s day care situation wasn’t reliable and she wanted to learn more. She wasn’t getting the kind of attention she needed.”
Starr researched child care options in the Bayview where she lived, and set her sights on Big City Montessori School. She says, “I knew it was a wonderful environment where children learn through play. But I couldn’t afford it… I was frustrated and afraid I wasn’t going to be able to work full time.”
Fortunately, Children’s Council connected Starr to financial assistance that allowed her to keep working and for Melina to attend Big City Montessori. Melina thrived at Big City, and has continued to excel throughout school. Starr says, “It was a dream come true.”
Now 17, Melina is an honor roll student at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory High School and is on track to attend college. Starr says, “That early education experience gave Melina a solid foundation for school. She got motivated, it boosted her confidence and that is still with her today.”
Children who receive quality early care and education are 25% more likely to do well in school, graduate from high school, gain college admission and get higher-paying jobs. Unfortunately, child care can range from $15,000-20,000 per year, a cost too many parents in our city can’t afford.
At Children’s Council, we are committed to helping all San Francisco families find and pay for quality child care.
But we need your help. Won’t you consider a year-end gift to support our city’s children?
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