Greater East St. Louis Early Learning Partnership

06/09/2026

🌱 As summer begins, it's the perfect time to plant seeds for learning, growth, and connection!

Join CBHC/St. Clair County Coordinator Intake for their Building Little Learners Family Playgroup, a fun and welcoming event for children ages 0–5 and their families. Families will have the opportunity to learn, play, explore, and build meaningful connections with others in the community.

✨ Enjoy hands-on activities designed to support early learning and strengthen family engagement.
✨ Connect with other families and caregivers.
✨ Help your little learner grow through play!

📅 Date: June 24, 2026
⏰ Time: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
📍 Location: Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center-Parenting for Success
505 S. 8th St.
East St. Louis, IL 62201

All families are welcome!

Please RSVP by June 17, 2026 by calling Taylor Shy at 618-482-7654

06/04/2026

Know a young person ready to lead and make an impact? L.O.V.E. (Leaving Our Voices Everywhere) is now recruiting youth ages 13–24 in the Greater East St. Louis area for paid leadership opportunities, trainings, and community engagement. Register here: https://forms.gle/jdFs25Ww3ZmJpsXv5

🌟 L.O.V.E. Recruitment is NOW OPEN! 🌟

L.O.V.E. (Leaving Our Voices Everywhere) is currently recruiting youth ages 13–24 in the Greater East St. Louis area for paid leadership opportunities this summer and beyond!

We are specifically looking for:
📚 8th grade students at middle schools
🎓 9th–11th grade students at high schools

As a L.O.V.E. member, youth will have opportunities to:
✨ Develop leadership skills
✨ Participate in trainings
✨ Engage in community work
✨ Build connections with other young leaders
✨ Receive stipends and additional opportunities

If you are ready to grow, lead, and make your voice heard, apply today!

📝 Application:
https://forms.gle/jdFs25Ww3ZmJpsXv5

YouthVoice YoungLeaders

06/02/2026

Early learning resource for families with preschool-aged children❗️

📚✨ Calling All Parents & Guardians of Early Learners! ✨📚

Give your child the best start with Vivian Adams Early Childhood Center! Enrollment is now open for both our Main Campus and Dr. Katie Harper-Wright Elementary School.

🌟 Our full-day program includes:
✅ In-person learning
✅ FREE bus transportation
✅ Top-rated lessons and curriculum
✅ FREE family events
✅ FREE breakfast and lunch
✅ Speech therapy services
✅ Physical therapy services
✅ Health and dental care
✅ And so much more!

Your child deserves a strong foundation for lifelong success. Don't miss this opportunity to join a caring, supportive learning community where young minds thrive every day.

🎒 Seats are filling fast—enroll your early learner today!

05/29/2026

✨ Partner Spotlight! ✨

Aimee H., Executive Director of UPK, an East St. Louis early learning center, and past Co-Chair of ELP’s Executive Committee, was honored at the Metro Area Professional Organization’s (MAPO) 16th Annual Honors Dinner held May 23 at SIUE.

Alongside other outstanding professionals, Aimee was recognized for her strong commitment to strengthening services and uplifting our community. She was named a 2026 Community Service Honoree.

Congratulations, Aimee, and thank you for all you do to support children, families, and the East St. Louis community!

05/23/2026

Excited for this incredible event! Join the East St. Louis Youth Development Alliance for a day of learning and meaningful conversations focused on helping young people thrive. Register here: tinyurl.com/YDSummit2026

Level up your impact with young people this year! 🌟 Join the East St. Louis Youth Development Alliance for the 10th Annual Youth Development Summit – “Together We Thrive: A Decade of Investing in YOUth.”

📅 Date: Thursday, May 28, 2026
⏰ Time: 8:00 am – Doors Open | 9:00 am – Summit Kickoff

🔥 Special Fireside Chat (before the opening speaker):
Join Leaving Our Voices Everywhere for a powerful morning conversation on the importance of shifting from “youth development” to “youth thriving.” This dialogue will ignite the day as we reimagine how we support young people to not just grow, but truly thrive.

🎤 Opening Speaker: Marcy Peake, MA, LPC, NCC, CFLE
“Trauma-informed care” is more than a buzzword—it requires skill, self-awareness, and cultural agility so that good intentions do not cause more harm. In this opening session, you’ll learn how to see behavior through a trauma-aware, culturally responsive lens and explore proactive strategies that truly meet young people where they are.

✨ At this milestone summit, you’ll:

👉Gain tools and insights to create meaningful change in young people’s lives 💡

👉 Dive into expert-led sessions on program excellence, executive leadership, youth engagement strategies, and creating positive learning environments 📚

👉Connect and collaborate with fellow youth development professionals and build lasting partnerships that strengthen our community 🤝

🔗 Register today: https://tinyurl.com/YDSummit2026 ✅

We’re excited to celebrate a decade of impact with you — whether you’ve been championing youth for years or are just getting started! 🎉

05/22/2026

✨We love highlighting the incredible work our early childhood education professionals do for children and families in our community! Today, Kaitlyn, a teacher at Uni-Pres Kindercottage, received a special visit from PNC Grow Up Great in recognition of her commitment and dedication to early learning. Congratulations, Kaitlyn! ✨

05/15/2026

This week, we were proud to join partners, advocates, and families at and speak with legislators about why investing in early childhood care and services matters. Every young child in Illinois deserves the support and opportunities they need to thrive.

05/13/2026

Just made it to Springfield for Early Childhood Advocacy Day! Excited to join other advocates from throughout the state to champion our youngest children, their families, and the amazing adults who serve them.