Executive Board Members & Partners

 

Meet Our 2020-2021 Executive Board

The Elgin Partnership for Early Learning Executive Board of Directors are representatives from organizations in the community with children and families at the center of their work. The board meets monthly to jointly supervise and oversee agreements, operations, partnerships, committees and build a consensus on initiatives.

Advocate Sherman Hospital

Chamberlain Educational Associates

City of Elgin

Elgin Community College

Gail Borden Public Library

Kane County Health Department

Next Generation Pediatrics **

School District U-46 **

VNA Health Care

YWCA Elgin

Fran Teti-Teal

Patricia Chamberlain

Executive Board Co-Chair Karina Nava

Rodrigo Lopez

Jennifer Bueche

Michael Issacson

Dr. Jennifer Schening

Katie Cox

Irma Figueroa

Executive Board Co-Chair Kris Young

Meet Our Community Partners

Elgin Partnership is strengthened by cross-sector partners committed to helping support and prepare children five and under in our community to succeed in school and life. EPEL's community collaboration of community partners share services, provide funding, grants, and in-kind donations. Partners collaborate on early learning initiatives, volunteer time, and expertise. We appreciate our partners' time, expertise, and efforts to bring action to the early childhood movement in the 2,000 Days from Birth to Kindergarten.

If you are interested in partnering to work toward EPEL's Mission and Vision of Having All Children Ready for Kindergarten, please email info@elginpartnership.org

Denotes Funder **

What Our Partners Are Saying

Northern Illinois Food Bank, Hester Bury, Development Officer, Corporate and Foundation Giving

"Northern Illinois Food Bank is proud to partner with EPEL as we bring nutritious food to families in need in Elgin through Mobile Pantries and summer meals at local parks. With EPEL providing diapers, books, and important information about other resources at the same time and location as the food bank is providing food, we are helping our neighbors together. They may come for the food but will leave with information to help them make wise choices about learning opportunities for their children. The Food Bank looks forward to continuing our partnership as we serve the needs of our youngest residents and the parents that take care of them."

Cindy Anderson, Well Child Center, Director of Development

"Well Child Center is dedicated to improving the lives of children and families through education, counseling, and services in the areas of childhood nutrition and pediatric dental health. Prior to 2012, our education was geared to parents and focused on nutrition and best dental practices. Our partnership with EPEL broadened our education component to include literacy and school readiness. At every visit, our child patients receive a book to take home. Parents-to-be are given books and encouraged to read to their baby in utero. Although this was met with some skepticism at first, new parents now excitedly share that when their babies were read the same book after birth, they “recognized” the book!

Most children do not look forward to dental appointments, but the books help ease their fears. Bilingual book baskets are also in our waiting rooms to encourage parents to read to their children during wait times. With EPEL’s guidance, we are in the process of enhancing our waiting rooms with educational toys that focus on early literacy. Working together as a community toward a common goal has benefitted, not only local families but enhanced our city’s sense of collaboration and purpose in making Elgin a great place to be a child. All communities should be so lucky!"

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