Childhood only happens once.  Whether our own early days were grounded in love and support, challenges and difficulties, or the gray area in between, we all know the importance of early learning.  We all know - and the research supports - that there are no meaningless moments as young brains are being built and emotions are evolving.  Each day, week, month and year counts.

At Pathways for Children, our tag line says we are Caring for Today, Teaching for Tomorrow.  We give our all to educating and supporting the 375 children who spend their days in our care now, helping each to grow into strong and confident individuals for the future.

We were all children once.  We all know, firsthand, that a multitude of people have a role in influencing us as we grow up.

You can play an important role in helping our community's children today by sponsoring a child at Pathways.

Each week day, Pathways for Children offers the highest quality early childhood education programs and support services for children from birth to 13 years of age from all walks of life.  Every parent wants the very best for his or her child.  But not every parent can afford to pay for the superior services we provide.  We believe early childhood education should not be a privilege but rather, a common experience for all.  It is a crucial investment in each child's future.  Education costs money.  Pathways' parents pay their share of the cost of our services, based on a sliding fee scale adjusted for income.  The government provides substantial support too.  However, significant state budget cuts and ever-increasing barriers to access to care have resulted in a waiting list of over 60 children needing our services but unable to pay their way.  With your help, we will be able to enroll some of these children who have been hurt by the Commonwealth's shrinking support.  You can help by fully or partially sponsoring a child for a day, week, month or year.

Here's how it works.  Below is what it costs to provide a child with the education, nutrition, recreation, transportation and social services we offer at Pathways: per day $60.00; per week $300; per month $1300; and per year $15,600.

If you are considering joining our efforts, but are still not sure, please read Eden's story on the next page.  We hope you'll recognize that helping children like Eden, at whatever level you can afford, represents an investment in a child's future.  We were all children once.  Join us as we help today's. Sponsor a child.

Eden (right) came to Pathways when she was just three months old.  Her dad, Bill, is a single father of five (ages 3 to 14).  Bill feels confident leaving Eden and her three siblings in our care.  He credits the support and encouragement he receives from staff with helping him successfully balance the demands of single parenting with his job at a local plumbing business.

Bill brims with enthusiasm when he talks about "the atmosphere of helping that exists at Pathways."  He talks openly about how the teachers, social workers, management staff, and other Pathways parents came forward to lend a hand when he first became a single parent.  Their outpouring of emotional support not only helped his family survive an incredibly tough time, but their presence made it possible for the family to move forward.  When Eden developed some severe health issues in her first months of life, "Pathways staff responded swiftly, resulting in Eden receiving necessary services, further promoting her health and well-being," recalls Bill.

Eden is now three years old.  At Pathways, she is learning new things every single day, soaking up all the experiences she can.  She is making friends, going on field trips to the apple orchard, the Cape Ann Museum, the beach and many other exciting places.  She is healthy, inquisitive and happy.  The educational and social support Eden receives here give her dad peace of mind.

Bill plans to attend school next fall, with the goal of obtaining his plumber's license.  These additional professional skills will enable him to continue to support his growing, active family.  Bill smiles with gratitude when he speaks about Pathways' role in making all of this possible.

If you walked into Eden's preschool classroom today and saw how she is thriving, you'd smile too!

Please help children like Eden.  You may complete the form below and return it to Pathways; visit our website, www.pw4c.org and click on our DONATE button; or contact Beth Graham at 978-281-2400, ext. 150.

I'd like to join you in helping a child today by sponsoring a child at Pathways for Children.