Meet Kelly Raines, Provider Leader, Kansas City resident, and founder & owner of Birdsall House. Kelly started Birdsall House after 30 years in the ECE field with the goal of respecting families, children and caregivers. Birdsall House started as a family care center and has grown into a group home caring for 16 children. They are in the process of building a new
Niadu Allen is the legal guardian and champion of her four grandchildren. She serves as a leader in the healthcare field in St. Louis, and understands the importance of accessible, high quality child care. Read more below on her radiating story of resilience & advocacy! Why did you become an advocate for early childhood education? After the
Linda Rallo, Vice President and Director of Policy, Aligned Last week, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry convened its annual Workforce 2030 conference. Ted Abernathy, the managing partner of Economic Leadership, addressed the packed room with a rather sobering outlook for Missouri’s labor market. He remarked that too few workers and record-low unemployment make
We are ONE WEEK away from Election Day on Tuesday, November 8, and if you haven’t already, it is time to make a plan to vote. Follow the prompts below to prepare yourself for the big day!
Cortaiga Collins is the founder and CEO of Good Shepherd Early Learning Center in St. Louis’ West End neighborhood and a new facility, Good Shepherd Early Learning Center West in Warrenton, MO. Cortaiga was led to ECE work and advocacy by her children first, and now owns two facilities and is preparing to begin construction
Courtney Leader is a mother of four in Springfield, who has learned firsthand the importance of having safe and high quality child care for her children. Read more about her story below and why she’s a passionate advocate for early care and education! Why did you become an advocate for early childhood education? While waiting
Last month on September 13 and 14, our Family Leadership Circle and Provider Leader Fellows met in Jefferson City to network, learn, and meet with their legislators. The Family Leadership Circle convenes 19 parents and caregivers, including foster and adoptive parents and kinship caregivers. Our 20 provider leaders are owners, directors and educators in child
Meet Anissa Parra-Grooms, Kansas City resident and loving mother of two and a half year old Elvira! She is a powerful advocate for ECE and tries to find any way she can use her story to advocate for her daughter and our children’s future. Read our Q&A with Anissa below. Why did you become an
“Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly” Micah 6:8 (paraphrased) is one of my favorite passages that has been a shining light in my life’s journey. I am humbled and honored to begin serving as the Advocacy Coordinator for Kids Win Missouri. My journey in advocacy is rooted in social work, as well as personal experiences that have
“ ‘When you know your why, your what becomes more clear and impactful.’ What’s your why?” This is my opening line when sharing with people about the importance of advocacy. In 2016 when I first journeyed into legislative advocacy, my “why” was my boys Jacob, Nathan and Paul, but specifically my middle son Nathan. Now, six years later,
