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Current Issue Dear Friends: Each
year organizations appeal to their friends and supporters to contribute
gifts for a variety of purposes. Rainbow has been no exception.
Your donations over the years have provided funds to build a playground,
make necessary renovations, purchase equipment and provide expanded
programming and services to children. This
year Rainbow asks you to consider supporting a new program at the
Center: The Rainbow CDC Scholarship Program. One of the most vital
programs at Rainbow is the after-school program held at Belmont
Community School and now at an additional site at Greendale People's
Church. Rainbow children are picked up from their respective grade
schools by bus and delivered to the after-school site where they
do their homework, play with other children, and learn computer
skills. One of our working parents, a single mother states "
it is so wonderful not to worry about my son being alone after school
and when I pick him up we can spend the evening together and I don't
have to pester him to do his homework, as he has already completed
it at his program. I am so grateful to Rainbow and I know I am a
better employee knowing my son is safe." The Scholarship
Program will assist working mothers like the one quoted here to
offset the cost of her child's tuition. Scholarships are given on
a financial need basis. Unfortunately, the amount of subsidized
childcare does not meet the demand. The other Rainbow programs will
also benefit from this scholarship program, children whose parents
are working but making minimum wage, leaving very little for child-care
can benefit greatly from this "special" hand-up not a
handout. We ask
you to consider your Rainbow donation this year as a way of ensuring
our children have a safe environment in which to do their homework,
develop socially and emotionally, expand their literacy skills,
be mentored by our senior citizens and college volunteers or learn
arts and crafts from different countries. The establishment of the
Scholarship Fund will give our Rainbow families peace of mind at
a time when monies are limited. For example, $110 will subsidize
a school-age child at an after-school program, $150 will pay for
one week of care in the preschool program, $110 pays for one week
of summer camp. Your support will make a difference in a child's
life. This
holiday season as you trim your tree, play with your grandchildren's
dradel, sing carols, celebrate with friends, and be thankful for
your many blessings, you can also be proud of assisting those less
fortunate with a gift that will make a difference in many lives.
Thank you for your generosity and have a happy holiday season.
To say
that everyone connected with Rainbow Child Development Center isn't
a little excited about the Center's recent purchase of the 10 Edward
Street property is clearly a tremendous understatement. It clearly
"feels" that the purchase was the right decision for many
reasons - the neighborhood, the size of the building and the fact
that we will be carrying on the tradition for which the building
was originally built ¨C providing care and services to children
and women in need. The building not only will allow the Center to
expand its preschool programs but also will give us the opportunity
to expand our services to parents and others in the community. Truly,
an exciting time. However, before we can move into the building,
considerable work needs to be done on the infrastructure and cosmetically
to restore the building to its natural beauty and use. The building,
which was built in 1910, is structurally very sound. I am certain
that with the proper care and maintenance this edifice will be standing
strong and proud for at least another 100 years. To assist the Center
in making the necessary renovations, we are planning to launch a
capital campaign in early 2004. It is our hope that the community
will support Rainbow's efforts to restore the building so that it
may provide education and care to children and families for years
to come. Rainbow
is also very pleased to be able to partner with the Greendale People's
Church in providing after school services to children in the Greendale
section of Worcester. After school programs continue to be in demand.
The Church has a wonderful facility to offer and Rainbow has the
expertise to offer quality after school education and care. We think
it is a win, win combination. We are looking forward to having Church
members volunteer to assist Rainbow staff in offering some unique
opportunities for the children enrolled in the program. This
year, our annual donor appeal is included with the fall issue of
our newsletter. Our fundraising efforts this year will support a
scholarship fund for children whose working families cannot afford
the full cost of childcare but have a need for care. While most
of the children attending Rainbow receive subsidized care from the
State, the existing number of childcare slots does not meet the
need. Statistics indicate there are over 20,000 children in the
State on a wait list for care. Judging from our experiences, those
numbers are probably understated. Currently our subsidized slots
are continuously full, but we have a growing number of children
who need the care but whose families cannot pay the full cost. Our
hope is to be able to help families, help themselves to meet their
needs so they may remain self sufficient. Thank you for assisting
us in this endeavor. I look
forward to having all our Rainbow friends join our Board and staff
at an open house at our new "home" after this holiday
season. Best wishes for a happy, safe and healthy 2004. Back Issue of the Rainbow Child Development Center Newsletters
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