Childcare Resources Annual Meeting Spotlights Growth, Innovation, and the Future of Early Education

(L to R) Ann and Allen Jones and Barbie Horton explore the Chrysanthemums classroom.

Students in Childcare Resources’ four-year-old classroom perform songs for Annual Meeting attendees.

Peter and Maureen Lee mingle in the hallway of the Childcare Resources School

Childcare Resources of Indian River hosted its Annual Meeting, bringing together supporters, educators, and community leaders to reflect on a year of growth and look ahead to an exciting new era in early childhood education. The evening showcased the organization’s far-reaching impact while highlighting the purchase of a new downtown Vero Beach property, which will be renovated and serve as the future location for its early childhood campus.

The event opened with a heartwarming performance from students in the four-year-old classroom, setting the stage for an inspiring overview of the year’s accomplishments.

“Tonight is a celebration of gratitude. For our incredible teachers, our devoted families, our volunteers, our partners, and, of course, our supporters,” said Jennifer Peshke, Immediate Past President of the Childcare Resources Board of Directors. “In looking at the academic year so far, it’s clear that the collective efforts of everyone involved have made a profound difference.”

This year, Childcare Resources made a significant impact through successful events and community support. Starfest, both the luncheon and evening event, united passionate donors to advance early childhood education. The Donor Advocacy Event with Florida TaxWatch highlighted the economic benefits of investing in early learning. Most importantly, over 3,500 children across Indian River County have been impacted through programming thus far this academic year.

Peshke introduced two new members of the Board of Directors: Gail Nourse, a dedicated early childhood advocate and policy leader with a career spanning multiple states and national initiatives, and Xavier Nolasco, a financial leader and Vice President of Business Banking at Bank of America.

Following the presentation, guests were invited to explore the school campus, enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks, and visit classrooms featuring sensory play projects created by students.

For the first time, this year’s event featured a Community of Practice Learning Showcase, where early educators presented their academic work from the year. This exciting new addition offered attendees the opportunity to engage directly with teachers, ask questions, and see firsthand the impact of professional development supported by Childcare Resources.

Educators participating in the showcase included Tatum August, Michaela Etter, Loretta Hall, Mavinee LaCroix, Skylar Schrock, Kimberly Knotts, Erika Rafuls, Elizabeth Guthrie, and Michelle Moore from Childcare Resources, along with early childhood professionals from several local schools and centers, including Ocean’s Academy, Maitland Farms Preschool, Bridges Early Learning Center, Migrant Head Start, First Baptist Preschool, Learning Nest, and Dodgertown Elementary.

Together, these educators exemplify the power of collaboration and continued learning, showing how Childcare Resources' mission reaches far beyond the walls of our school.

During remarks, President-Elect Helen Boehm Johnson expressed gratitude for the Indian River Community Foundation’s $1.5 million impact investment in Childcare Resources’ future downtown campus, highlighting how the momentum it created has propelled the project forward. She also celebrated the community’s incredible response to a match challenge, which successfully raised an additional $1.5 million, doubling the impact of this transformational investment.

“This relocation and expansion will allow us to serve even more families, educators, and children in need,” Boehm Johnson said. “It’s an investment in the future of our community.”

“The evening was a powerful reminder of our commitment to educational excellence and innovation,” said Shannon McGuire Bowman, Executive Director of Childcare Resources. "With a year of success behind us and a transformational future ahead, we remain dedicated to ensuring that all children, regardless of their circumstances, have access to the strong foundation they need to thrive."