We know that children who attend high quality, prekindergarten programs are more likely to graduate high school. National research indicates that for every dollar we invest on high quality childcare programs it saves $17 in crime prevention in later years.

These are statistics that we can't ignore and at Phoenix Day we are giving Valley children of the working poor a wonderful and valuable start to their future.

When families come to Phoenix Day, we pick up where their government assistance ends. For example, 68 percent of our families are on some form of government assistance, but this still doesn't cover all of their expenses. Phoenix Day gives scholarships that pay for the difference in tuition vs. government assistance that can't be met by the family. We are investing in the future of our children and making it possible for parents to work knowing that their children are in a safe and enriching environment. This also helps families become productive members of their communities.

Phoenix Day is a nationally accredited education facility that provides safe, quality child care. Running a facility like Phoenix Day is an expensive venture. Ninety-five percent of our budget goes to teacher salaries, food, education programs and the roof over our student's heads.

Without the help of Phoenix Day, hundreds of families and children would not have access to quality child care that provides the core skills they need for a successful future.

Living without health insurance is a risk, but for a full- time working mother of a family of four, Lisa earns less than $2,000 a month – hardly enough to cover her monthly expenses. When Lisa took her first child to the pediatrician’s office for a routine visit, her out- of-pocket cost was $300, almost a quarter of her family’s entire monthly salary. Lisa realized she was not able to go without health insurance any longer, so she started asking her friends for advice. One friend told her about “KidsCare,” Arizona's state health insurance for children age 18 and younger.

Lisa immediately called Phoenix Day’s "Health Links" program. The staff explained that "KidsCare" was a low cost or free medical, dental and vision care plan available to low income families. This program provides children with much needed medical coverage, while also helping their families avoid devastating debt. Phoenix Day's staff members translated for Lisa, and then helped her complete the necessary application for coverage. Since enrolling, Lisa’s children have received annual immunizations at little cost to their family. With a newborn on the way, Lisa has one less worry as she continues to provide for her family.

Meet one of our teachers...

As a single parent with three girls (Cynthia 11, Alicia 10, and Samantha 7), Tina came to Phoenix Day in 1999 as a part-time receptionist. At the time, she had her daughters enrolled in the Phoenix Day early childhood education program and she volunteered each evening in the infant room.

Tina’s dream of becoming a teacher began when she was offered a position in Phoenix Day’s infant classroom. She took advantage of the center’s tuition reimbursement program, attended night school and in 2005 received her Child Development Associates degree (CDA) along with a promotion. Tina is a teacher now and attends Phoenix College where she is studying to obtain a degree in early childhood education.

“It’s tough being a single parent, but when you have the support of your coworkers and helpful resources like Phoenix Day it just makes things easier. Phoenix Day has given me and my family so much that I don’t see myself anywhere else but here," says Tina.

Today, Tina's girls are all honor roll students in elementary school. She has no doubt that their academic success is due to the caring, nurturing and valuable start they received at Phoenix Day.