The Importance of Early Childhood Education
Children’s early childhood experiences shape their futures—especially when it comes to their education. Most of children’s brains develop by the time they’re three years old, and the years that follow are crucial to their ability to develop social, emotional, and intellectual skills that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.
Founded by Bernice Bush, Building Blocks Outreach focuses on helping children develop these lifelong skills, specifically amongst low-income children ages 3 ½ – 5 years. Its mission is to instill a love for learning in children and bring lasting hope to families through education, equipping, and service.
“Our organization is located in a low-income, government-subsidized housing community, with mostly single, female head of households,” explained Bernice. “Our preschool and community programs are intentionally focused on equipping children and families with education, resources, and tools to guide them toward a life without poverty.”
Building Block Outreach provides early childhood education, but it also offers several other programs to uplift community members. Bernice continued, “It is important to provide quality preschool education to underprivileged children. We are helping families who might not be able to afford school supplies, while connecting them to other essential needs such as food, clothing, and encouragement.”
Building Blocks Outreach Programs
Quality early childhood education
Free backpacks and school supplies for school-aged children
Partnering with local organizations to secure resources for families in need, such as food, personal items, cleaning supplies, and clothing
Partnering with groups and families to adopt families in need at Christmastime
An important part of Building Blocks Outreach’s programming includes serving families of young children, too. “Parents and guardians are children’s first teachers,” said Bernice. “We prioritize developing positive relationships with them because it encourages their involvement in their children’s education. It also instills confidence that we care about their children. When children see the connection between school and home, it equips them to do better in school, academically and socially.”
“My passion for serving young children, single mothers, and others in need stems from shared experiences,” said Bernice. “I know what it is like to be in these kinds of circumstances, and those who walked beside me and offered me resources and opportunities changed my life. But this work is not about me, it is about what I can do for others.”
“I am grateful to be in this position. I hope every student and family we serve finds success in life and uses the tangible education and resources provided to break the cycle of poverty. I hope we instill an attitude of our entire community embracing their neighbors… to know your neighbor, to love your neighbor, to help your neighbor, to protect your neighbor. We are all in this together.”
Thank you, Building Blocks Outreach, for your passion for and commitment to uplifting our community members with the greatest economic need and least opportunity!