Collaborative for Children distributes nearly $100,000 in classroom resources
to Galveston child care programs devastated by Hurricane Ike

Houston - Hurricane Ike robbed thousands of Houston/Galveston-area families and children of their homes, schools and communities. The Gulf Coast child care community suffered such extreme devastation that many centers were forced to close their doors permanently, others until they could afford to make repairs. As a result, our communities have been hit by a severe and prolonged shortage of dependable child care resources for families.

In response to this emergency, Collaborative for Children stepped in as the lead agency for the Texas Gulf Coast Region Hurricane Ike Child Care Recovery Project, a collaborative community effort to help child care programs recover and restore essential services to families. Continuing its recovery activities, Collaborative for Children recently delivered nearly $100,000 in classroom equipment and supplies to two child care centers in Galveston, East End Preschool and the newly formed Children’s Coalition, both of which suffered extensive damage. The cribs, strollers, books and toys were donated by exhibitors at the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s annual conference. The largest contribution of child care furniture was made by Community Playthings. Lakeshore Early Learning graciously transported the donated equipment from the conference site in Dallas to a Houston Independent School District warehouse until the Galveston programs were able to accept the donations. The United Way of Greater Houston was also instrumental in contributing resources to transport the equipment from Houston to Galveston Island.

“We were delighted to provide these deserving programs the cribs, strollers and toys they needed to reopen their facilities and restore services to children and early-childhood educators,” said Carol Shattuck, Collaborative for Children President and CEO. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to helping families return to work knowing that their loved ones are being cared for in safe, reliable environments,” she added.

The Texas Gulf Coast Region Hurricane Ike Child Care Recovery project has helped more than 330 child care programs restore services to 16,254 children and their families. To date, $1,847,900 has been awarded in the community. Funds have been used to replace outdoor equipment, classroom materials, fencing, spoiled food and appliances and also to cover portions of high insurance deductibles.

In addition, working in partnership with the YMCA, the project has been able to establish a temporary Galveston child care facility hat is serving 104 infants, toddlers and preschool-age children and 250 children in after-school programs.