Letter to the Editor

I came across this letter to the editor in the Indianapolis Star. It speaks volumes to the amazing mentors working with ministries at Child Care Answers. Its always good to know that what we do touches so many people.


United Way makes good thing even better
Michael W. Bowling
Posted: April 21, 2010

Every day I see the hope-filled sight of bright-eyed young children skipping through the doors of our building anticipating another day of playing with friends and exploring the many intriguing aspects of the world in which we are blessed to live.

A caring staff receives them with an excitement characteristic of a separation of weeks instead of the few short hours since the previous day. They are followed by parents who expect at the very least their children will be safe and sound for the next few hours.

Many of these families face daunting challenges. They are worn down by the constant threat of unemployment or the unexpected illness that could so easily become a domino effect with one crisis after another.

However, most of these families share a common hope: the success of their children. Our child-care ministry pushes beyond the essential minimum of "safe and sound" to provide the kind of care that, in partnership with the family, moves each child toward school readiness and the possibility of a better future. We see our work as an essential expression of encouragement to our community's families.

To do our work well requires a dedicated staff, a supportive church and a safe and welcoming facility. Sometimes, we get tired and discouraged. But always there comes some form of encouragement that bolsters our efforts.

This encouragement may be as simple as a note of thanks from a grateful parent or as significant as a major breakthrough with a child. Recently, it came with surprising magnitude from an unexpected source: United Way of Central Indiana.

We are not a member agency, but we received a first-hand experience of the encouragement a member agency gets from the competent and committed folks at United Way. Our inclusion in their Success By Six program resulted in a significant upgrade to our Daystar Childcare space, mentors for our staff and benefits too numerous to name.

The results were immediately recognized by the families we serve, and our staff began to pursue continuing education like a runner getting a second wind. United Way of Central Indiana and the Success By Six program demonstrate the visionary thinking critically needed in our day.

They recognize the best investment for a better tomorrow is the children of today. They know what most well-informed educators have been saying for years: The most dynamic benefits come from investing in early-childhood development.
They made the astute observation that one of the most overlooked providers of care for preschool children is registered child-care ministries. Success By Six has come alongside participating child-care ministries with the resources and expertise that are already producing dramatic results.

United Way funds a myriad essential services throughout the nation, but Success By Six demonstrates the compassion and the wisdom found in the old adage, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Thanks to United Way of Central Indiana for the encouragement, and thanks to the thousands of donors who fund such priorities. A better future is on its way.


Bowling is pastor of Englewood Christian Church in Indianapolis.