Join us for a discussion and Q&A about the strict public health precautions and safety measures Boulder County early child care centers are following to keep their children, families, and staff safe and healthy. All parents and caregivers are welcome to join this meeting to gain more information and a better understanding of how early child care safety is being handled in Colorado. Sharing 20+ years as a teacher and director in early child care, our Director of Persimmon Early Learning Kate Hise will share helpful information for parents exploring what to consider when enrolling infants, toddlers and pre-school aged students in child care.

Persimmon Early Learning (formerly Children's Alley) is Now Enrolling for Permanent Childcare Slots starting Fall 2020

Start the enrollment process today to secure spots for permanent care starting in September 2020!

Visit our website and fill out our Interest Form to sign up for an Info Session, be notified of Virtual Tours (coming soon!), and begin the enrollment process today. 

For additional questions, please email Kate Hise at: khise@ywcaboulder.org.

The Virtual YWCA Dash & Bash 2020 has officially begun! Celebrate the YWCA’s work to eliminate racism and empower women. This work is more critical than ever right now - and your support is even more critical than ever.

Take a stand against racism and sexism, and rally your friends, family, coworkers and civic groups together to take meaningful action by fundraising to fuel YWCA’s programs and services.

If your company would like to partner with YWCA Boulder County and become an event sponsor, please contact Robyn Hazlitt at rhazlitt@ywcaboulder.org.

This summer we hosted our first Youth Who Code STEM E3 Virtual Summer Camp.

In partnership with Casa de la Esperanza and the City of Longmont Youth Center, we offered a four-day, two-hours-per-day program that sent 21 young students of color on their journey to learn the fundamentals of coding.

According to our Director of Community Engagement and Equity, Shiquita Yarbrough, “We didn’t know how many students were going to participate, and even though it was summer time and the camp was virtual, they were engaged and excited for every session.”

These students and more have been invited to our next STEM E3 Jam Session which will be taking place in partnership with NIST October 19.

Thank you to our generous donors and corporate partners for helping us make these STEM programs a reality! If you’d like to get involved or learn how your company could host a Jam Session and open up STEM careers to young students of color, please contact us at: rhazlitt@ywcaboulder.org.

Did you know that you can donate your IRA distribution? If you are at least 70.5 years old and have a traditional IRA, you can donate directly from your traditional IRA to a qualified charity (like YWCA Boulder County) up to $100,000 without it being considered a taxable distribution. Consult your tax advisor to see if you can further your philanthropic goals and enjoy this tax benefit!

Our nation faces a pivotal moment in the battle against racial injustice. And in response, YWCA has launched our new racial justice awareness campaign, Until Justice…Just Is, a movement designed to share the scope of our powerful work and commitment to eliminate racism in the thousands of communities we serve nationwide.  

 

This campaign is a learning opportunity for individuals, communities, and corporations to learn about our racial justice work and identify strategies to support our commitment to eliminating racism. This effort will also promote our civic engagement opportunities to address the interconnections between racism and voter suppression. 

The YWCA is also focusing on our work to Get Out the Vote this year! National Voter Registration Day is September 22 and it's critical to register to vote, confirm your voter registration, develop your voting plan, and help your friends and family with their voting plans.

You can also get involved with YWCA USA's partnership with Michelle Obama’s When We All Vote initiative to activate voters across the country.

We thank the following donors for their financial support of Persimmon Early Learning’s Expansion Project: Boulder County (Worthy Cause Funds), Buell Foundation, Anonymous Donor, Gates Family Foundation, Mile High United Way, Twisted Foundation, El Pomar Foundation and ECHO/National Wildlife Federation.

Preschool Room Lead Teacher

December 2018

Many things! I help run the preschool program for kids age 3 and up, with my wonderful co-teachers. These duties include creating and implementing the daily schedule and daily curriculum; organizing field trips and activities; cleaning, disinfecting and taking care of the classroom space after each day; and ensuring that each child in our care has a good, safe, successful day as we learn essential skills. Outside of the classroom I have taken on the role of managing the redesign and renovation of the outdoor learning spaces (playgrounds).

I have a degree in architecture and have designed natural playscapes in that setting. In the past I have operated on the design-end of the project, interviewing the school’s owners and teachers, and helping to design their vision for the outdoor space, creating complete design drawings and documents for construction. In the instance of the outdoor learning spaces at the YWCA, I came onto the project to oversee the daily operations of construction, designing some of the play components and areas, meeting with each classroom’s teachers to decide on effective elements to include in each space, and working as a liaison between our organization and the construction company.

The children we serve, and our hard-working teachers that are the lifeblood of this place. We do what we do because we care deeply for these children and their families. Their safety, development, and happiness are our priorities. And the support and passion of my fellow teachers makes it possible to meet the challenges of each new day. These women are incredible!

I was homeschooled on my family’s farm of 600 woodland acres in rural Kentucky until I was 12. They were incredible years that I am so grateful for, and I learned the value of having a unique early childhood education.

Thank you, Elevations Credit Union, for being a wonderful Event Sponsor and supporter! Your event sponsorship is truly a transformational gift that is multiplied many times and helps us meet our fundraising event goals to fuel the YWCA's programs and services.

"How Debbie Pope of YWCA Boulder County Tackles The Extreme Work Life Balance Of Being a Woman Business Leader During COVID-19." Authority Magazine.

YWCA USA's Weekly Podcast - Organize Your Butterflies