Cellar Angels believes giving back to the community is just as important as discovering and tasting new, delicious wines. We are thrilled to tell you about our newest charity, Ounce of Prevention Fund, which you can support through your purchase with Cellar Angels.
Most of us know of the widening gap in academic achievement that puts low-income students at significant risk for poor outcomes. Experts say that you can actually measure this gap in children as early as 18 months of age. And here are more frightening statistics: at-risk children who don’t receive quality early learning experiences are 25% more likely to drop out of school, 40% more likely to become a teen parent, 50% more likely to be placed into special education programs, 60% more likely to never attend college and 70% more likely to be arrested for violent crimes.
The Ounce of Prevention Fund, founded in 1982 by the late Chicago businessman and philanthropist Irving Harris, works to give all American children – particularly those born into poverty – access to quality early childhood experiences starting at birth so that they enter kindergarten safe, healthy, and ready to succeed in school and in life.
The Ounce uses research-based programs and best practices proven to help at-risk young children develop early reading, math, problem-solving and social skills. One of its flagship programs, Educare, is a full-day, full-year school that first opened on Chicago’s South Side in 2000. Independent studies are confirming that the model is effective: Educare “graduates” arrive at kindergarten ready to learn and they continue to find success in the classroom even as they progress through elementary school.
In partnership with the Buffett Early Childhood Fund and local philanthropies, The Ounce is helping communities across the country open Educare schools. Today, more than 15 schools are open or in development in states stretching from Maine to Michigan and from Colorado to California. The Ounce also focuses on improving teacher effectiveness and preparing parents to support their children’s learning and development. And the Ounce partners with advocate and community groups in 15 states to improve state and federal policies and increase funding for early education.
The Ounce of Prevention Fund knows investing in children means investing in our society’s future, and they are helping make sure that hundreds of thousands of children benefit from high-quality, public early learning programs in Chicago, Illinois and across the country. And now you can help support the Ounce’s amazing efforts through your wine purchase with Cellar Angels.
If you would like to learn more about The Ounce, please visit their website at ounceofprevention.org.
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