Claire was a shy mother in her twenties working a job in retail during the day and studying to be a social worker at night. Single and without many resources, Claire couldn’t afford to pay for child care, so her daughter Nicole was cared for by her great-grandmother. All day and evening, Nicole was enclosed in a small apartment, with no children to play with or learn from, and no outdoor activity. Instead of going on walks or playing in the park, Nicole spent her days on the living room rug. Claire was worried, and she shared her concern with a coworker who referred her to Wesley Child Care Center.

With United Way funding, Nicole received a scholarship to attend the center’s childhood education program. As Nicole spent her days playing with other children and learning her shapes and colors, Claire finished her degree in social work and graduated from college. Today, she is able to provide for her child and afford to pay for school without the scholarship. And Nicole got the early childhood education she needed to be socially, emotionally and mentally prepared for school.