Get Involved
Get Involved
Early Connections is committed to strong partnerships on behalf of young children and their families. Generous donations from foundations, corporations, and individuals form the foundation of support that is delivered in high quality manner. Government contracts help parents of low income to afford child care and for that we are grateful; at the same time the reimbursements do not cover the cost of high quality services to young children and their families. We RELY on your help. Your time, talents, and financial donations make the difference between a program that provides basic necessities for early care and education and a program that provides the best early care and education available. Get involved—help a child, a parent. For further information contact Nancy Anne Kalista at 874-0144 Ext 14 or nkalista@earlyconnectionserie.org
Celebrating Our 2nd Year in Pennsylvania’s Tax Credit Program
In 2004, Early Connections was proud to be one of 50 approved pre-kindergarten scholarship organizations participating in the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program. The program hasn’t just helped school children — it has attracted the business community to become more directly involved in early education. Through the EITC program, businesses can donate money directly to helping children in their communities while taking a tax credit of up to 90% of the contributions made to qualified pre-K scholarship organizations. Since it’s inception in 2001, over 2,200 businesses have taken advantage of the EITC program and donated more than $140 million to help educate children in Pennsylvania.
During our first year, Early Connections received $50,000 from local businesses. 100% of these contributions were distributed directly to Pre-Kindergarten Scholarships for children in Erie County, providing 20 children with partial scholarships and 6 children with FULL scholarships.
In 2005, as corporations around the state learned of this innovated program, Early Connections received a total of $80,833 from local businesses. Once again, Early Connections distributed 100% of these contributions directly to Pre-K Scholarships in Erie County; however this time we were able to provide 18 children with partial scholarships and 26 children with FULL scholarships. For more information on how YOU can take advantage of the PA Educational Tax Credit Program and help children in your community visit:
www.newpa.com
or call:
Nancy Kalista
Executive Director
for Early Connections
at 874-0144 ext. 14
Annual “Connect Fore Kids — Helping Families Out of the Rough”
Thanks to this years donors, sponsors, golfers and volunteers our 2006 golf outing was our most successful yet, raising over $7,800 that will directly benefit the children and families we serve!
Early Connections golf outings have continued to grow and the contributions raised have increased over 98% from our first event held in 1999.
Nationwide every $1 invested in quality early care & education returns nearly $12 in social savings through reduced special education costs, dropout rates, unemployment, and welfare dependency.
Locally, the money raised from this years golf outing will enable Early Connections to provide art supplies, curriculum materials, computer software, and Kindermusik materials and lessons.
With everyone’s help we are making a difference in children’s lives!
The 2007 Golf outing was held July 30, 2007 at Lake View Country Club. For more information contact Holly Platte at hplatte@earlyconnectionserie.org or (814) 874 - 0144 ext. 10.