Senator Martinez to Host Early Childhood Network Event Kick-Off

Chicago - Senator Iris Martinez will host the kick-off meeting of a new effort to improve services for babies, young children and families in Albany Park . This meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 5, at 3:00 p.m. , at the Albany Park Community Center , 5101 N.Kimball Avenue , Chicago . Early childhood providers, social and health service organizations serving young children, public and private schools with preschool programs, public officials, libraries, park district, local universities and hospitals, Albany Park community groups and coalitions concerned with 0-5 year olds are invited to attend. Admission is free.

The Chicago Foundation for Women awarded the Albany Park Community Center (APCC) $7500 as the fiscal agent for this new community project. Office space, professional services and a Spanish translator will also be provided by APCC. The Early Childhood Network (ECN) of Albany Park is modeled after similar projects in Edgewater and Roger Park. Its mission is to improve the quality of services for 0-5 year olds and their families through working with service providers. It offers career development and peer support to women in the early care and education field. The ECN of Albany Park will operate in English and Spanish.

Albany Park Community Center

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State Senator Iris Martinez is the legislative sponsor for the group. Participants will learn more about the legislative process hear a legislative update and have opportunities to inform public officials about the needs of early childhood providers and families with young children in the neighborhood.

Lenore Johnson, a longtime child care homeowner in the area, is the ECN Coordinator for Albany Park . Johnson is a recent graduate of North Park University and was the founder and President of the North Side Association of Family Child Care Professionals for nine years. She also is the Co-Chair of the Family Child Care Commission for the Chicago Metro Association for the Education of Young Children (CAEYC).

Full details and information concerning this event and the ECN are available by contacting Lenore Johnson at (773) 539-5907 or (773) 463-5728 or email LenoreECN@comcast.net . For Spanish language information, contact Sonia Sanchez in the office of Senator Martinez at (773) 283-7006.

For more information on ECN, visit www.earlychildhoodnetwork.org