Vanessa, a single mother with two children, struggles to pay the bills and care for her children. She had a low-income job and couldn’t afford child care. And at times there was no one else available to help watch her children while she was at work. Vanessa quit the job because of the stress.
It’s a problem many families face. In Florida, single parents who live at the poverty line have to pay more than half of their income to enroll two children in a child center care. That’s as much as $15,000 a year — more than college tuition in Florida.
A neighbor recognized Vanessa’s problem and suggested Florida’s School Readiness Program offered through the Early Learning Coalition. It provides financial assistance for quality child care while the parent/parents work or go to school.
Vanessa applied for and received School Readiness assistance so she could afford child care. Now, Vanessa can go to work without the stress of worrying about who will care for her children.
The Early Learning Coalition of Orange County offers programs that improve and strengthen the lives of low-income families and children. For a donation of $300, you can place a child in quality care for a year. Your donation can make it possible to reach more children and help put them on the right path.
It’s an investment that will make a difference in Central Florida!
To donate to 4C, click here
(Pseudonyms are used in client narratives to comply with confidentiality agreements)
