VERO BEACH — The cost of childcare continues to increase, making childcare a difficult financial burden on working families. To improve early childhood education in the community, the PNC Foundation has awarded Childcare Resources a $9,000 grant.
Nearly 100 hard-working families of Indian River County will benefit as these funds are utilized to subsidize the cost of childcare.
“The families enrolled in our program pay 15 to 30 percent of the cost of tuition, which is $30 to $60 each week,” said Shannon McGuire Bowman, executive director of Childcare Resources. “This award from PNC strengthens our program by providing a unique opportunity for children, their families and the community. It ensures no one falls through the cracks.”
“Without financial assistance from Childcare Resources, the families who we support will pay approximately 23 percent of their income toward childcare each year,” said Sonja Phillips, Family & Center Resource coordinator
A tremendous impact was made in 2004 when PNC adopted a corporate-wide program, focusing their resources on early childhood education. Since then, “PNC Grow Up Great” has distributed more than $73 million in grants to nonprofit organizations that are helping to equip young children for school.
“Our support of Childcare Resources is a strategic investment in the future of our Vero Beach preschoolers,” said Cressman Bronson, PNC regional president for Florida East, speaking on behalf of the PNC Foundation. “Studies have shown the measureable impact school readiness has on the success of at-risk children in school and life. By easing the burden for parents, we’re supporting a solid foundation for the growth and success of local children, their families and ultimately, our economy.”
Childcare Resources provides childcare tuition assistance for low income, working families. Since its founding in 1994, thousands of children have befitted from their program. They are a partner agency of United Way of Indian River County and Indian River County Children’s Services Advisory Committee. For more information about enrolling your child or providing support for Childcare Resources, please call (772) 567-3202 or visit ChildcareResourcesIR.org.
