By United Way —
MUNCIE, IN – Heart of Indiana United Way announced that it is one of 68 communities and organizations joining the Early Years Initiative. The organization received a $300,000 grant to help meet the developmental needs of infants and toddlers and surround their families with the resources to maximize the crucial years of learning from birth to age 3.
Through its grant, Heart of Indiana United Way will expand its “Talking is Teaching” public awareness early literacy campaign. Funding will help give parents and caregivers valuable resources to increase meaningful interactions that are critical to healthy brain development. The “Talking is Teaching: Talk, Read, Sing” campaign is part of Too Small to Fail, a national initiative of the Clinton Foundation.
“With the Early Years Initiative Grant, Heart of Indiana United Way will address the significant barriers families face in accessing early childhood education, particularly in rural areas, and ensure that all children have the opportunity to thrive from birth to pre-K,” said Ashley Breedlove, director of learning supports for Heart of Indiana United Way.
This is the second round of grants in the Early Years Initiative, which began in 2023 and is made possible by $60million in grants from Lilly Endowment Inc. The goal of the initiative is to ensure Indiana’s infants and toddlers develop the foundational knowledge and skills needed to support their future learning and development. In total, the initiative has awarded 154 grants to 133 organizations.
“Research is clear that a child’s brain develops most between birth and age 3, and that the neural pathways formed in these earliest years of life form the basis for all future learning and development,” said Maureen Weber, president & CEO of Early Learning Indiana. “That’s why the work of the Early Years Initiative is so critical. We must ensure supportive environments and responsive interactions between infants and toddlers and their caregivers to set the trajectory for their overall development and lifelong learning.”
All Early Years Initiative work is designed to strengthen foundational learning and development, but programs and projects are as varied as the needs of the young children they serve. The Early Years Initiative places special emphasis on serving families in low-income households, within communities of color, and where very young children are multi-language learners. Like Early Learning Indiana, Heart of Indiana United Way is committed to making a meaningful impact on the lives of these families across Delaware, Madison, Henry, Randolph and Fayette Counties.
For more information about Heart of Indiana United Way and to stay up to date on its Talking is Teaching initiative, visit HeartofIndianaUnitedWay.org. Learn more about the Early Learning Indiana and its success at EarlyYearsInitiative.org.
About Heart of Indiana United Way
Heart of Indiana United Way mobilizes communities to close gaps and open opportunities so all can thrive. With deep local roots, across Delaware, Madison, Henry, Randolph, and Fayette Counties, they see how challenges like preparing children for success in school and life, achieving financial stability, and helping build people’s and communities’ resilience are all interconnected. Every day, they unite people and resources to tackle core challenges and create a future where everyone everywhere can reach their full potential. Learn more at HeartOfIndianaUnitedWay.org.
About Early Learning Indiana
Early Learning Indiana is an expert and trusted voice on early childhood education that works statewide to provide leadership, advocacy and early childhood education services that continually improve the early learning landscape in Indiana. Early Learning Indiana operates 12 nationally accredited, high-quality Day Early Learning centers, a network of premier community- based centers used to advance the science of early learning, train the next generation of teachers and leaders, and instill knowledge and skills in the children we serve. Through regional and statewide programs, the organization works to ensure young children are empowered with essential skills to thrive in kindergarten and beyond. Learn more at EarlyLearningIN.org.
About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J. K. Lilly and his sons, Eli and J.K. Jr., through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with its founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. Although the Endowment funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, it maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.
