Join Us for a
Community-Wide Event
Investing in Our Community’s Economic Future: Early Childhood Education is Everything
March 17, 2025
Glass City Center
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Join Chicks for Charity and Rotary of Toledo on March 17 for a special event benefiting HOPE Toledo! You're invited to be part of this important conversation about investing in our community’s future through early childhood education.
Northwest Ohio’s future depends on a well-educated workforce. Access to affordable early education and childcare is crucial in this equation. Lucas County lags behind other Ohio metropolitan areas leaving our children, parents, employers, and community behind as well. Now is the time to fix that! Please join us to learn how we can collectively ensure a better economic future for our community and our children.
Please Note:
Lunch begins at 11:00 a.m. and the program will start promptly at 11:30 a.m.
Tickets are available for purchase through March 9.
Meet Our Keynote Speaker
Marica Cox Mitchell
Vice President, Early Childhood at Bainum Family Foundation
“American families need affordable, accessible child care options. Nonprofit organizations must work with community partners, families and stakeholders to reimagine a child care system that is accessible, equitable and publicly funded to ensure every child can thrive from the start.”
Meet Our Panelists
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Susan Brown
Owner/Director, Dorise Brown Fitness and Learning Center
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Viengvilay Weis
HOPE Toledo Pre-K Parent
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Robyn Lightcap
Executive Director, Preschool Promise
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Vince DiPofi
CEO, SSOE
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Mary Ann Rody
Executive Director, OACCP
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Dr. Mary Kay Irwin
Senior Director, School-Based - Nationwide Children's Hospital
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Allison Schlagheck
Preschool Teacher Mentor, Early Childhood Department, Toledo Public Schools
Learn More About Early Childhood Education
As we lead up to March 17, explore these resources to understand the critical role of early childhood education in shaping our community’s future:
Groundwork Ohio - Home | Groundwork Ohio | Public Policy | Columbus, Ohio
NAEYC - NAEYC
NIEER - 2023 Yearbook | National Institute for Early Education Research
First Five Years Fund - Home - First Five Years Fund
Stay informed and inspired as we work together to ensure every child in Lucas County has access to the opportunities they deserve.
