A child can always teach an adult three things: to be happy for no reason, to be always busy with something, and know-how to demand with all his might what you want. – Paulo Coelho

As we open our doors to a new year, our children, families, and staff are grateful for the many people and organizations who helped us continue to serve our community last year.  The is no doubt that 2020 offered an array of new challenges, but those challenges have made us a stronger, more vital, and significantly more agile organization.

We are pleased that we continue to serve over 120 children daily and because of that, there are mothers and fathers who remain in the workforce, keeping our economy strong.  Our children are developing strong social and cognitive skills that will carry them into formal education with a strong foundation for success.  The energy and joy found within our walls are inspiring and provides us each a promise of positive hope for our community’s future.

 

With a Grateful Heart

Thanks to the generosity of our Lowcountry family, The Children’s Center ended our years with a balanced budget. In April, with COVID keeping schools closed and events canceled, The Children’s Center Board revised our annual operating budget and projected a significant deficit for the fiscal year. Thanks to the support of so many organizations and individuals, we finished 2020 with a small carryover. We can not name everyone who made this possible, but we’d like to recognize some major donors who made a positive impact in 2020.

 

Eleanor A & Bernard H Breedlove Foundation
The Bargain Box
Community Foundation of the Lowcountry – Town of Hilton Head
United Way of the Lowcountry
Wexford Plantation Charitable Foundation
Albert & Carol Prillaman
Palmetto Electric Trust – Project Round-Up
Berkeley Hall Charitable Fund
Beaufort County Human Service Alliance
Coastal Community Foundation and Beaufort Fund
Ward Family Foundation
Long Cove Club Community Charitable Fund
The Church Mouse
Rotary Club of Hilton Head – Sunset
Ray & Doris Stickel
Brian & Darlene Marlowe
Robert & Katherine Eberly, Jr
Michael Aronstein
Ronald & Sharon Farsetti

Watch for our 2020 Annual Report, to be published in March 2021, for a complete list of community donors and partners. Thank you to everyone.

 

It’s About Quality Time

Investing in regular quality time with your child, especially your child gets to lead the activities, can result in them generally feeling so much more settled, less stressed, more secure, confident and more cooperative.  Creating quality time with each child also tends to greatly minimize sibling rivalry.  Children crave quality time with their parents because they have such a deep innate and healthy drive for that attention.

There are dozens of simple ways to provide quality experiences for your child.  Here are several ideas:  Indoor Activities for Kids.

 

It does not take much to build a strong relationship with children.  Children who are spending more quality time with their families are less likely to participate in risky behaviors such as drug and alcohol usage . Showing your children that you love and care for them help to keep them mentally and emotionally strong.