55 Years of Impact
Educational Opportunities for Children and Families (EOCF) is a leading provider of Early Childhood Education and Family Resources throughout Southwest Washington, striving to connect, empower, and transform the communities they serve. In celebration of the organization’s 55th Anniversary, Give More 24! presents the incredible opportunity to reach new supporters in hopes to meet the attainable goal of $5,500 in support of the agency’s continued growth and generational impact. EOCF’s focus is to reach nearly 55,000 new community members to communicate the mission, vision, and values across the communities and areas they serve.
Why Fundraise?
In the form of grants and ultra-specific donations, “restricted” funding is just that – restricted to one specific use. EOCF annually applies for the ability to provide federal- or state-funded programs like Head Start, Early Head Start, or ECEAP. With permission to provide these programs, comes a restricted amount of funding pertaining to each application (or each enrolled child). On a larger scale, this can often limit the ability to reach the actual number of children and families in-need of EOCF’s services.
Where EOCF requires the most support is through “unrestricted” funding – donations like these (Give More 24!) that can be applied to a variety of uses. These types of donations provide EOCF the ability to fund the greatest needs of the agency, like:
- Enrollment: To fill the gaps in enrollment numbers where restricted funding stops.
- Classrooms & Safety: To expand and grow service areas to provide for more communities, and to prioritize the security of children and staff in the classrooms.
- Wage & Benefits: To create competitive wages within the Early Learning sector while adding value to the talented and growing education workforce.
Commitment to Growth
EOCF partners with families to nurture strong foundations for children and is also a major employer in Southwest Washington. The organization is known for its supportive culture and uplifting workplace environment. With focus on the future, EOCF staff is encouraged to grow, both personally and professionally throughout their time with the organization.
As the future leaders take their first steps within the classrooms, the current agency leaders provide a platform for emerging professionals to expand their experience with national training programs, agency-specific training, and even extra-curricular classes from local community programs. Within this, EOCF even offers Parent University for program guardians to continue their education in the Early Learning sector to one day apply to work at the agency – a streamlined effort to educate and engage the most vulnerable.
Benefitting The Programs & Services
EOCF strives to provide an environment for children and families to stay educated, healthy, and growing. This is done by providing at-home services, transportation to programs, comprehensive healthcare, prenatal education, family engagement activities, and nutritional resources. Through the employment of programs like Head Start, Early Head Start, Early Childhood Education & Assistance Program (ECEAP), EOCF can approach each child and family with the information necessary for their unique progress.
By working directly with families and community partners, EOCF’s Health, Family, and Nutrition Services teams work together to ensure all program children have access to meals, continuous health care, and necessary treatment or preventative care. By meeting these needs, children in the program can bring their best selves to the classroom, creating a stable environment to learn. Program children receive 1/3 to 2/3 of their daily nutritional needs through the organization. With backed research and a nationally award-winning Nutritional Services team in the kitchen, classrooms are provided with a variety of snacks and meals that cater to unique needs or allergies.
Catalyst For Success
EOCF serves as a catalyst for success—empowering young learners as they begin their educational journeys and supporting the broader community that uplifts these scholars and their families. By opening new doors, EOCF offers a unique opportunity to champion a whole-family approach that values individual strengths and supports growth at every stage.
Rooted in a region rich with potential and momentum, EOCF has seen firsthand how investing in early childhood education strengthens communities. These programs lay a lasting foundation for future leaders, narrowing learning gaps and contributing to a thriving, more connected future for all.