I want to send my thanks and appreciation to everyone who made today possible for me and all the other mothers in our community. It is people like you who help make the world a better place. I am very thankful for all the vendors who provided helpful information and all the gifts. It was a great day and I can’t thank you all enough.

BACKGROUND

In Barnstable County, the challenges of poverty and achievement are at the forefront.

• 13% of Cape Cod's children live in poverty. Many more children are suffering from emotional poverty.

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• Children from low income families are exposed to 30 million fewer words than their higher income peers by age 3.

• 30% of the Cape’s children are not reading proficiently by grade 3.

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• The first 3 years of life are the period of most rapid brain growth.

In the fall of 2016, the Cape and Islands United Way formed a multidisciplinary team of local experts to brainstorm how we could “get upstream” of the challenges we face as a community – including substance abuse, mental health, food insecurity, financial instability, and an adequate work force -- by addressing the needs of our youngest children. The factors contributing to our community challenges are complex and interconnected. But we know that:

• Investing in young children is an investment in future productivity and public safety that can return as much as $8 for every $1 invested.

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• Family environments are critical in determining education, skill, motivation, persistence, and self-control. Growing numbers of children face adverse environments that restrict their development.