News
New Preschool Fills Void in Roosevelt Park Neighborhood
June 2013- The Early Learning Center, which held a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday, Sept. 24, is the latest in a string of preschools to open in the inner-city to increase access to early learning opportunities so children in low-income neighborhoods are prepared for kindergarten.
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Kindergarten Readiness: Vulnerable Grand Rapids Neighborhoods Targeted for Free Preschools
June 2013- Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC) announced plans to open its sixth preschool in the former Grand Rapids schools Roosevelt Childhood Development Center, 641 Vries St. SW.
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ELNC's First 'Little School' Opens to get Vulnerable Grand Rapids' Kids Kindergarten-Ready
January 2013- The Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative opened the first in an expected series of free "Little Schools or La Escuelitas" focused on getting preschoolers from vulnerable neighborhoods kindergarten-ready.
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Aquinas Professor Awarded for Service to Underprivileged Children
January 2013- Ezeh was presented with the 2012 Service to Children Award by the Family Future organization for her founding of the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative. | Click here to read article!
ELNC Prepares Children for Kindergarten and Life
November 2012- Rapid Growth does a feature on ELNC! | Click here to read article!
Grand Rapids Board Unanimously Approves Leasing Roosevelt School to Nonprofit for a Preschool
September 2012- The Grand Rapids school board unanimously approved a lease agreement with the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC) to operate a preschool. | Click here to read article!
ELNC Prepares Children for Kindergarten and Life
November 2012- Rapid Growth does a feature on ELNC! | Click here to read article!
ELNC Receives Donation from Otterbase
July 2012- Otterbase Inc. names Amway for "Philanthropic Spirit" Award; Nominates Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative for $10,000 Donation. | Click here to read more!
Keller Foundation Supports ELNC Fatherhood Program
June 2012- Keller Foundation awarded ELNC a grant in the amount $10,000 to support its Fatherhood Programs in the Central Neighborhood. The primary focus of the Keller Foundation is to encourage innovative programs for core city youth of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
ELNC Partners with AVANCE Inc.
June 2012- A blossoming partnership between The Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC) and AVANCE (ah-vahn-ceh) will give high-need Grand Rapids families access to parent-child education services. The partnership is a result of AVANCE’s Unlocking America’s Potential Project (UAPP), a grant funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to expand AVANCE’s Parent-Child Education Program (PCEP) nationwide.
Christine Nelson Professional Award
May 8, 2012 - Our own Dr. Nkechy Ezeh received the Christine Nelson Professional Award at the 2012 Service to Children Awards ceremony. Family Futures gives this award annually to an individual who is committed to efforts that support children and families. Congratulations Dr. Ezeh!
W.K. Kellogg Foundation Awards $5 Million for Early Education in Grand Rapids
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation in Battle Creek, Michigan awarded a four-year, $5 million grant to the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative in support of the organization's efforts to improve early childhood education in some of Grand Rapids' poorest neighborhoods. | Click here to read article