It was a night of connections and reconnections as a mix of friends old and new gathered to toast the silver anniversary of Childcare Resources of Indian River and to celebrate twenty-five years of high-quality early education in Indian River County.
Childcare Resources, founded in 1994 by Sandy Kahle, Kathy Marshall, and Sherry Waddell, works to elevate and support early childhood education throughout Indian River County by providing children with affordable high-quality education, providing families with support resources, and providing early educators with training opportunities.
“Childcare Resources was there for emotional support, financial support,” said Tom Patrick, a single father who, in 1995, enrolled his son Dominic in the program. “I could try to parent to the best of my ability.”
The four-year-old class from the Childcare Resources School got the celebration underway with a performance of school songs. Following the students’ performance, County Commissioner Peter O’Bryan presented a proclamation celebrating the organization’s anniversary. In addition to discussing the organization’s accomplishments over the past year, Susan Donovan, newly-elected President of the Childcare Resources Board of Directors, recognized those in attendance that brought the organization to where it is presently: members of the organization’s original Board of Directors, additional Board members from throughout the organization’s history, long-term supporters, and directors of local childcare centers that have partnered with Childcare Resources.
“Twenty-five years later, we are proud to have maintained our ongoing partnership, which has allowed several hundred children the opportunity to attend our preschool,” said Stephanie Squires, Director of Community Preschool. “Many of those children are now grown adults in the community who are police officers, physicians, attorneys, and more.”
The Board of Directors also welcomed six new members: Carrie Adams, Brian Baker, Ginny Glazer, Jennifer Peshke, Tracy Sorzano, and Karla Spooner. They join the thirteen current Board members in guiding Childcare Resources in its mission to elevate and promote the highest quality early education in Indian River County, focusing on economically challenged children and families.
Following the program, the celebration continued with a cocktail party. Attendees explored the Childcare Resources School and discovered the values of courage, compassion, resilience, integrity, and relationships that guide the organization.
“One of the main missions of Childcare Resources was to have quality preschool,” said Mrs. Waddell. “The exciting thing in the present, twenty-five years later, is that these standards are still being met.”