In SVCF's Philanthropy Now podcast series, we explore trends in the world of philanthropy, social impact initiatives in Silicon Valley and beyond, and look at how SVCF promotes innovative philanthropic solutions to challenging problems.

Avo Makdessian Vice President and Director Center for Early Learning, SVCF	Pete Weldy External Relations Officer Center for Early Learning, SVCF

This episode features Avo Makdessian, vice president and director of SVCF's Center for Early Learning at SVCF, and Pete Weldy, external relations officer for the Center. They discuss "Choose Children 2018," a new and exciting initiative to make early childhood a key issue of the 2018 race for governor of California. 

Avo shares some sobering statistics about the lack of invesment in early childhood education and support here in California. Despite being one of the largest economies in the world, 2 million of our children live in poverty. With much room for improvement, Pete explains how the Choose Children 2018 campaign aims to make  early childhood investment into a central issue for candidates running for California governor. Investing in our children does and will have incredible results -- and Choose Children intends to turn them into reality. 

What you will learn

• Statistics about the rate of child poverty, lack of investment in childhood education, and failure to support parents with young children in California
• Why investing in early childhood education will better prepare our children for school, work, and being great citizens
• All about the Choose Children 2018 initiative to educate candidates about the importance of investing in our children and hold them accountable if elected
• The various strategies Choose Children is adopting to make sure candidates and voters alike are aware of the issues facing young children and their families
• What we're doing to engage politicians, citizens, journalists and more around these issues
• How you can get involved with the Choose Children campaign 

Resources from this episode

• The Center for Early Learning

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