Today, we're kicking off a new blog post series that will highlight each of the wonderful organizations we help support through sales of Wellington Toffee. The idea here is to help you, our amazing customers, understand where your money is going when you buy toffee. You aren't just getting a delicious, homemade treat delivered to your door - you're making a positive impact on people in need living in communities near and far.
When I think about the various organizations we partner with, perhaps the one that I hold nearest and dearest is the Family Enrichment Center of Davenport, Iowa.
There are several reasons why - first, I actually helped found and build this non-profit organization from the ground-up. FEC began with the understanding that children living in under-served communities often have difficulty accessing quality educational, social and recreational programs. So we decided to build a facility within a high-needs neighborhood that would make these programs accessible. In 2013, we began construction on the new facility, and our first early education programs kicked off in October 2014 upon completion of the facility. These programs are going strong today thanks to a wonderful partnership with Head Start, Early Head Start through Community Action of Eastern Iowa (CAEI).
The second reason that FEC is so near and dear to me is that I am consistently inspired on a daily basis by the work being done to help people in the surrounding community. Our mission statement does a great job of summing it up:
The mission of the Family Enrichment Center of Davenport, Inc. is to transform the lives of individuals and families living in the Goose Creek Heights neighborhood by providing intensive educational, social and recreational programs so that each person can become a successful, positive and productive member of the Quad Cities Community.
In 2017, I’m proud to say that we added five more toddlers to our Early Head Start classes, and provided back to school supplies for more than 100 neighborhood children who range from grade school to middle school ages. We also served food to 150 residents in Goose Creek in collaboration with the Neighborhood Association and River Bend Food Bank. Finally, we rounded out the year with an amazing neighborhood Christmas party.
And we're just getting started!
I'm excited about several new initiatives kicking off this year, including opening a baby pantry which will provide diapers, formula, and resources for new or expecting mothers, as well as donating personal hygiene packs in partnership with DCSD. We will also be assisting CAEI with the construction of a natural playground area at our facility site, hosting our regular food and supply giveaways, and much more.
I am immensely proud of the work we’ve done to support the wonderful people who make up this community, and I can’t stress enough that we couldn't do any of this without you. As always, thank you for your continued support!
-Kevin