HISTORY
The Roaring Fork Valley Early Learning Fund, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, was created to deliver its signature early childhood literacy intervention program, Raising A Reader. It was founded in 2004 by Jayne Poss with the lead financial support of the Bezos Family Foundation and encouragement from highly respected and dedicated early childhood educators. The organization has grown from 372 children in 26 preschool classrooms in 2004, to 98 classrooms now reaching 1,600 preschool children in 10 rural communities spanning three counties - Pitkin, Eagle and Garfield.
Early childhood educators told us there was critical need for a powerful, methodology-tested, results-based early childhood literacy program particularly focused on high-risk children ages birth to five years.
So began the creative and visionary collaboration of funding partners, educators, childcare providers and libraries to build early literacy skills during crucial preschool years, positively impact the long-term academic success of our children, and enhance the social, educational and economic vitality of our valley.
970-379-0950; rblauvelt@earlylearningfund.org