Community Commitment to Investment in Toledo’s Young People

Toledo, Ohio, September 30, 2021 — Today, John C. Jones, President of HOPE Toledo, provided an update on the organization’s work and progress – primarily in the Pre-K space – at a media conference at Quality Time Child Care Center. Also in attendance were several other community leaders who spoke about their shared commitment to serving Toledo’s children.

“This marks my one-year anniversary with HOPE Toledo in the role of President and I’m excited to be here today, along with others who share HOPE’s commitment to quality cradle-to-career education for Toledo’s children, to provide an update on our progress thus far,” said John C. Jones, President, HOPE Toledo. “But this is just the beginning…”

HOPE Toledo Pre-K serves to provide high-quality education for 4-year-olds and HOPE Toledo Promise creates opportunities for more Toledo high school graduates to pursue higher education. The goal is to develop a well-educated, homegrown workforce and create greater economic stability for our families and our community. Toledo’s future depends on a well-educated workforce, yet currently four out of five children—80% of our kids—start kindergarten not ready to learn.

There are approximately 4,000 4-year-olds in the community. HOPE Toledo has partnered with 10 community-based preschool providers to serve up to 200 students of which 130 are currently enrolled in their Pre-K Demonstration Project. HOPE Toledo’s goal is to expand the Pre-K Demonstration Project to serve more 4-year olds – 500 children in the next school year and growing to approximately 1,000 children over a three-year period.

Today, through a combined and collective effort, these initial partners have committed to ensuring in excess of $20M dollars over the next three years to support early childhood education and care. These funds, pending appropriate approvals, will come from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), expansion of slots with the public school district and other private funding sources. This funding is in addition to effective utilization of various public funding sources that, while existing, have not been adequate to meet the overwhelming need in the community. As HOPE Toledo works toward long-term, sustainable preschool funding, these dollars will serve as an important bridge until public investment can be secured.

Speakers at the media conference included:

• Rev. John C. Jones, President, HOPE Toledo

• City of Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz

• Lucas County Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak

• Randy Oostra, President & CEO, ProMedica

• Dr. Romules Durant, Superintendent, Toledo Public Schools

• Alethea Easterly, Owner/Administrator, Quality Time Child Care Center

Also in attendance were many of the 10 approved HOPE Toledo Pre-K Providers. These preschool providers are aligned with HOPE Toledo’s high standards for sound curricula, small classes, family engagement, competitive compensation and professional development for teachers, as well as guaranteed accountability with program evaluations and financial audits.

“My hope is not just about the commitments of needed funds, but also about the attention and energy focused on something so critically important—and so dear to my heart,” said Alethea Easterly, owner of Quality Time Child Care Center. “As a local, neighborhood, preschool provider—serving young children and families here in Toledo for 21 years—today’s announcements, and the gathering here of so many prominent and diverse community leaders, gives me hope!”

For more information, contact John C. Jones at: john@hope-toledo.org or 419-509-4057.

About HOPE Toledo

HOPE Toledo is a 501(c) 3 organization and encompasses HOPE Toledo Pre-K and HOPE Toledo Promise. The mission of HOPE Toledo is to work with the Toledo community to support and ensure high-quality educational experiences for all of our youth, from preschool to post-secondary and trade school, with the goal of helping to create generational economic change for the betterment of our families and our community. Currently, 36% of the people in the TPS district are living below the poverty line and more than 80% of kids in Toledo enter kindergarten without the skills needed to learn.

This cradle to career to community approach will better serve our children and, in the long run, help our city progress towards a stronger, more educated workforce. To that end, HOPE Toledo is working with the Toledo community, through public/private partnerships and in tandem with Toledo Public Schools and Washington Local Schools, to develop a plan to deliver high-quality educational experiences for all of our youth. For more information or to donate, visit hope-toledo.org.