Media Advisory / Photo Opportunity
For Friday, Jan 11, 2008

Cold Weather March to Raise Awareness about Early Childhood Education
YWCA children, teachers and advocates march down Nicollet to make voices heard

WHAT:
Clad in bright orange and braving the January cold, more than 100 preschool-aged children, teachers and advocates will march down Nicollet Mall at 10 a.m. on January 11 to ask that Minnesota legislators make early childhood education a priority.

Four out of every five Minnesota families need early childhood education, but few can afford it. The public is encouraged to join the march to help ensure all Minnesota children receive the quality and affordable early childhood education they deserve.

January is Early Childhood Awareness Month at the YWCA of Minneapolis. Media are also invited to a parent dinner with Minnesota legislators from 6 - 8 p.m. on January 16 at the Downtown YWCA.

WHEN:
Friday, Jan. 11, 2008

WHERE:
YWCA of Minneapolis and Nicollet Mall
1130 Nicollet Mall (between 12th St. and 9th St.)
Minneapolis, MN 55403

Simultaneous marches will be held at the YWCA Midtown, Phillips and Abbott Northwestern Children's Center locations.

Please note: Marches will be held indoors if the temperature drops below 10 degrees.

PHOTO / INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:
Becky Roloff, CEO of the YWCA of Minneapolis, is available to speak about early childhood education issues in Minnesota.

Children and teachers are available to speak about the importance of early childhood education for their families.

More than 100 people marching down Nicollet wearing orange and carrying signs.

WHY:
Children who can access quality early education before starting school are more likely to do well in school, attend college and have successful careers. Because of changes to Minnesota's budget beginning in 2003, the State narrowed the eligibility for childcare subsidies, increased co-payments for families eligible for support and froze the reimbursement level to agencies. These changes in state financing denied assistance to many low-income families unable to afford early education for their children, and forced many childcare Centers to close. The YWCA believes all children should have access to early education, and increased its scholarships awards by 75 percent over the past three years, to a level where they remain today.

WH0:
The YWCA of Minneapolis is a nonprofit organization striving to achieve the empowerment of women and girls and to eliminate racism. The YWCA Early Childhood Education Programs serve more than 530 infants, toddlers, pre-school and school-age children annually. In 2006, 77 percent were from low-income households and 86 percent were children of color. The YWCA strives to nurture young children in partnership with their parents and prepare them for success in school. For more information, please visit www.ywcampls.org.

CONTACTS:

Media Contact:
Ellen Cleary
YWCA of Minneapolis
ecleary@ywcampls.org