The ALSC Liaison with National Organization Committee works to build liaison relationships with national organizations who serve children and youth and who share similar goals to ALSC. Committee members work with these organizations to make them aware of ALSC’s activities and goals, and to involve themselves in the activities of these organizations.
One of the organizations that I work with is the National Association for the Education of Young Children. I have asked them to provide a brief description of the work they do for young children. Below is a description provided by Stephanie Morris from the NAECY organization.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) – the world’s leading membership association working to ensure that all young children, birth through age 8, experience excellence in early childhood education. NAEYC’s vision for excellence and equity in early childhood education is built on the framework of developmentally appropriate practice. NAEYC brings together early childhood teachers, administrators, professional development specialists, adult educators, researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to share cutting-edge information regarding early childhood related research, policy, and practice and to work to advance each of these areas. To learn more, visit NAEYC online or NAEYC’s For Families website.
I am also presenting an initiative that I feel very strongly about. Each year the Volunteers of America – Greater New York try to place backpack filled with school supplies into the hands of children living in homeless shelters. Below is a description from Colleen Magri.
“More than 22,000 children live in NYC’s homeless and domestic violence shelters, according to the NYC Department of Homeless Services. One of the most devastating consequences of homelessness is the impact is has on a child’s education. Each year since 2001, Volunteers of America-Greater New York has been collaborating with companies, community groups and individuals to distribute new backpacks filled with grade-specific school supplies to homeless children throughout New York City. A filled backpack relieves parents of a financial burden and provides a sense of normalcy to the otherwise chaotic lives of these children, helping them to look and feel more like their classmates. More importantly, a filled backpack allows these children to start the school year feeling prepared and confident, with the knowledge that their education is important and that someone believes in them.”
This program is run in other states as well, even though the needs and requests might vary. Here is a list of active states that provide a backpack or school program through the Volunteers of America:”
VOA – Northern California & Northern Nevada
by Danielle Shapiro – Brooklyn Public Library