Planting Seeds

It is difficult to believe that I joined the Women's Caring Program (WCP) just nine weeks ago; so much has happened in that short time.  Because of your dedication to WCP, I wanted to touch base and let you know about the exciting activity unfolding in the coming months. First of all, the much-loved Twilight Gathering will have a new format this year. Rather than holding one traditional large event in Milford on July 8^th, Twilight Gatherings will occur simultaneously statewide at five locations - in Battle Creek, Lansing, Detroit, Traverse City and Jackson.  The WCP Board of Directors and I were thrilled with the level of interest in hosting Twilight Gatherings.  Each will occur on Thursday, July 8^th, sharing the message of investing in children from working disadvantaged families through ChildCare Commitment scholarships for early care and education.  Research has repeatedly demonstrated the value of that investment.  Please visit our website at www.WomensCaringProgram.org or call me at 517-962-2892 for more information.  We hope to see you at one of the parties - you'll be a pioneer!

Secondly, we hope you may have noticed Women's Caring Program in the press. Crain's Detroit Business wrote a very good piece on the mission of the WCP and the many changes that have taken place this year. And in May, WCP was chosen to receive the Diamond Award, which honors an individual or organization for improving conditions for women in the workplace, by the Association for Women in Communications-Detroit Chapter. Look forward to much more news from the WCP.  

We have embarked on a campaign to broaden the scope of our funding.  WCP has always been generously funded by private donors and corporations.  We plan to build upon that base, reaching out to donors nationwide, to be able to offer more Michigan children early care and education.  The reception thus far is very positive - we look forward to sharing even more good news in the coming months.

Serving as CEO of Women's Caring Program is an honor.  I look forward to reaching out to all of you.  We will soon establish a Volunteer Council to capture the time and talents of so many who have made WCP and the ChildCare Commitment the growing success that it is today.  

Thank you!

Best Regards,

Shelly

Women's Caring Program Hires Hendrick as CEO

Foundation Expands Campaign for Early Education, Child Care through Infrastructure, Partnerships

Shelly Hendrick has been named the first CEO of the Women's Caring Program (WCP), Carol Walters, founder and president of the organization, announced today.   

WCP, a public foundation, has raised more than $2 million for Michigan children since 1995. The group helps working families who are ineligible for state child care assistance, but don't make enough to afford quality, licensed child care and education programs through its signature program, ChildCare Commitment.

"Due to WCP's tremendous growth, hiring a CEO is a critical factor in expanding the ability of the WCP to continue to effectively grow with the needs of Michigan's low-income, working families," said Walters.   "The Board of Directors has renewed its commitment to early care and education and looks forward to the challenge of reaching even more disadvantaged children with quality early learning."

Hendrick is the former president and CEO of the Jackson Community Foundation.  She has held posts as director for the Jackson Nonprofit Support Center, and as a public health consultant with both county and state governments. She holds a masters degree in public health education from Central Michigan University and a bachelors in health administration from Eastern Michigan University.

"Becoming a part of the Women's Caring Program is a natural fit for me because of my commitment to education and attaining the resources needed to fulfill the needs of quality early learning," said Hendrick.   "The Women's Caring Program is truly an investment in Michigan's future."

WCP plans to partner with many statewide early learning organizations.    "The Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) applauds the good work that has been done by WCP through its ChildCare Commitment program.  We see WCP as integral to quality child care programs in Michigan," said Judy Samelson, CEO of the ECIC.   

Traditionally, WCP has only held one fundraising event each year, the July Twilight Gathering in Milford.   Now, the WCP will encourage the many hundreds of women who enjoyed that annual event to host local Twilight Gatherings in their cities and hometowns, promoting the WCP mission and raising funds for early childhood care and education. 

In addition, WCP plans to increase fund development with corporations and foundations to create more scholarships and broaden partnerships.   Research has repeatedly shown that quality early learning in both childcare and pre-kindergarten settings has a critical impact on the ability of children to succeed in the future.