Nurture 15 At-Risk Atlanta Preschoolers for a Year

This story is of a Sheltering Arms father and his dedication to his only son to find a better life for his family...

This father was living in a shelter with his three year old when he happened to pass the Sheltering Arms Educare facility while seeking employment. He came inside to inquire about childcare and to share that he had recently relocated from baltimore and had just been hired but was in need of childcare for his son. He enrolled his son that same day and was told about Sheltering Arms' fatherhood program. Even thought this father served prison time, Sheltering Arms was able to assist him with obtaining an apartment and rewferring him to the Center for Working Families where he was able to recieve additional resources. Now, he volunteers in the center when he is not workign and attends Sheltering Arms Parent group meetings as well as community meetings to encourage other parents about the importance of parents being active in their child's school and community. He has obtained three jobs since his son started school. One of his job titles is a group leader at a group home. His story has touched so many; he will soon be featured in Ebony Magazine due to Sheltering Arms' philanthropic partner, The Annie E. Casey Foundation.

With your help, Sheltering Arms is helping to make this family's dream and the dreams of thousands of other families a reality. Nearly 90% of our children are from low-income working families. Your support provides tuition scholarships so that parents can afford the quality care and education their little ones need and deserve. And you can be assured that your gift is invested in an efficient, effective program:

• 92¢ of every dollar donated to Sheltering Arms goes to children and families
• 96% is the average score of Sheltering Arms children on developmental assessments
• $1 invested in quality early education returns up to $17 to the community in savings on incarceration, remediation, and public assistance

We are so grateful for all of the friends like you who have helped our children and families accomplish great things. We look forward to positively impacting generations of families with quality child care and early learning for years to come. Thank you!

With appreciation,

Sheltering Arms Staff and Families

Dear Friend,

“Sheltering Arms is a part of my family, the teaching staff and the management staff at the International Village Center has helped create a strong educational beginning for my two boys.”

Growing up in Cuba surrounded by parents who believed in a strong educational upbringing was how Fredi  was raised.  “My parents believed that an education was the backbone of a strong start for all of us as we grew up.”  Fredi learned at an early age the importance of school from his parents and how they viewed education as an essential stepping stone for success.  Fredi also knew how his parents played a role in his day-to- day schooling by volunteering and being at the school as involved parents.  The foundation of education was instilled early and often in his childhood, and now he gets to carry the legacy his parents instilled in him.

Fredi grew up in Miami and eventually moved to Atlanta in 1988.  Education was still an integral component of his life as he worked hard and began to establish his family.  Out of all his major accomplishments, two stand out the most; Taylor and Jake!  Fredi knew the importance of education and how he wanted to build a foundation for his children to learn early and often.  He was at a loss of where to start.  Although his in-laws played an important role in helping with the care of Taylor and Jake at an early age, he also knew that the boys needed to be in a structured environment to help build social skills.

Fredi had a chance encounter with a friend to learn about the early childhood development facility called the International Village Center.  His friends raved about the care and educational setting that their children experienced on a daily basis.  Fredi and his wife Luzmita knew that they had to experience the center themselves and made a trip to the facility.

Fredi knew immediately that from the reception and warmness he and his family received upon the initial visit that this was the place for his children.  “The best asset of this facility is the staff and how they care for each and every person that walks through the doors on a daily basis.” Taylor and Jake have entrenched themselves in the daily regime of learning, asking questions, and being inquisitive children. “Our children have grown socially, emotionally and most importantly on an educational  level that we know will be a great start for them.”

Your support continues to provide tuition scholarships so that Fredi, Luzmita and parents in their position are providing the best education for children like Taylor and Jake. Your gift is invested in an efficient, effective program that assures that:

•92¢ of every dollar donated to Sheltering Arms goes to children and families.

•On average, every Sheltering Arms child met or exceeded 96% of the developmental milestones for his or her age and stage of development by the end of the school year.

•95% of four-year-olds met or exceeded kindergarten readiness requirements.

•$1 invested in quality early education returns up to $17 to the community in savings on remediation, public assistance and incarceration.

We are so grateful for all the friends like you who have helped our children and families get off to a great start this year. We are excited about the growth at Sheltering Arms, and we look forward to providing high-quality early childhood education and family support services for more children and families this year. Thank you!

With appreciation,