"Why I Give..." by Carla Bryant

Foundation for Early Learning is delighted to feature a guest blog post from early learning supporter Carla Bryant. If you are interested in being featured in the Foundation's blog, please contact Joel Ballezza, Communications Manager at joel@earlylearning.org.

As a little girl I was always getting into trouble.  So much so, my first grade teacher tried to convince my parents that I needed special education services.  If it wasn’t for my parents and their commitment to my education, my school career could easily have gone in another direction.  Today, I am a PhD candidate in Special Education at the University of Washington.

My passion is education.  And that’s why I’m proud to say I’m a donor to Foundation for Early Learning. 

My reasons are simple.  Early learning is one place where you can see results.  Early learning is prevention.  Investing now in the education of young children will have payouts that we see now and down the road in years to come.
 
I am particularly invested in the Foundation because of their work with community coalitions.  The Foundation brings community members together to collectively help children prepare for school. When we work together we are able to help more kids, exponentially.  We can’t do it alone.

In order to survive this current economic environment, we need organizations that can leverage funds.  Washington State’s early learning community is made up of so many small entities operating in isolation.  The key to success is working together.  Once you put people together, the other pieces fall in place. 

I love what Foundation for Early Learning does—not just because their focus is early learning, but because their focus is early learning and community coalitions working together to make a difference.  The ability of community coalitions to leverage resources is what makes the Foundation unique.  Coalitions are the heart of early learning.  They give people a voice. 

No matter how many programs we come up with, nothing will ever be as efficient as investing in early learning.  That’s why I support Foundation for Early Learning.  I hope you will too.

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