Short Summary

Since 1972, the Red Balloon Day Care Center has been a strong philanthropic institute in the Harlem/Washington Heights community.  For almost two decades we have been able to distribute $85,000/year in scholarships to working families and full-time parent students.  About one-third of our working families receive assistance.  In 2012, our city government funding (ACS) was  completely eliminated as a consequence of nationwide budget cuts.  Moreover, our two largest fundraising events, previously hosted at rent-free venues were terminated due to changes in those venues’ policies. 

 What makes these cuts particularly devastating is that they came very late in the enrollment/admissions process after we had already committed to giving scholarships. We decided to honor the scholarships offered to those families. For many of our families the loss of their scholarship would mean losing their jobs and other sources of income to stay home with their children.  This has left us with a deficit of $60,000. We are seeking a short- term infusion of money to make up for this loss and get back to a balanced budget in the next year.  We are even facing the possibility of having to close down our school if we do not get this much needed help.  We are optimistic that this eventuality can be avoided with your outside contributions.

We are exploring every avenue possible.  We are already beginning to formulate new marketing ideas and financial strategies for the future to allow us to continue assisting needy families and supporting the fabric of our neighborhood and local community. 

What We Need & What You Get

The money raised during this campaign will help us subsidize $60,000 towards the cost of our scholarship benefits for the 15 students currently receiving financial aid. 

We are a 501c3 so all donations are tax deductible.  Visit our site at www.redballoonlearningcenter.org and learn more about us.

Donors who give $100 or more get a 2013 Red Balloon calendar filled with wonderful pictures created by our amazingly talented children!!!

 The Impact

While there are many “childcare” facilities in New York City, very few have the unique personal and physical resources that Red Balloon has and which your contribution could help preserve.  Some of these include:

• Commitment to Food Justice: The Red Balloon is aware of issues of food inequality in urban areas and the lack of food quality that permeates some neighborhoods we serve.  Because of that the Red Balloon provides the children with a nutritious breakfast, a fresh homemade lunch, and healthy snacks.  Furthermore the children learn early on to tend to their community garden and understand the value of urban sustainability.

• Valuing Social Diversity: While New York City is noted for its social diversity, when it comes to educational settings this global metropolis experiences significant levels of segregation, particularly across class and racial lines.  By drawing families and caregivers from a range of socio-economic backgrounds we reaffirm our commitment to respecting and valuing diversity in terms of class, race, sexual orientation, nationality, language, and household composition.  This commitment to diversity is sustained in part by our scholarship program.

• Preparation For Kindergarten Entrance:  Over the last twenty years we have helped more than 300 children to gain entrance to the top public and private schools in NYC and to Gifted &Talented programs and, eventually, to top colleges and universities.  For many of these children, this would not have happened without the Red Balloon. 

• Superb Space and Facilities:  The Red Balloon is housed in an expansive  facility with bright spacious classrooms, a large indoor gym, an outdoor playdeck, a built-in wading pool, a large lending library, and an outdoor planter garden.  Growing up in an urban area places  constraints on children's ability to have safe play areas to develop their motor skills.  We take optimal advantage of our great facility by daily engaging the children in developmentally appropriate physical challenges, instilling in them the value of physical activity and healthy living habits.

Why do we merit the financial support we are requesting?

The heart and soul of the Red Balloon is our commitment to financially helping low income families by providing them a high quality educational head start as we strive to be a model of exemplary early childhood practices.  We partner with our families to create a safe and nurturing environment where children are guided to reach their full potential, while planting the seeds for a love of learning and a lifetime of social commitment.  These goals serve as an impetus for our fundraising endeavors.

Most importantly, we believe that the current economic situation has tipped the balance toward the haves and abandoned the have-nots.  For 40 years our school has fought to maintain a parity of families from all backgrounds but the resources that we depended upon have all but disappeared.  We need the help of your private donations to stem the tide. 

 Testimonials

"We think of the Red Balloon often and with great fondness.  You told us you would keep our kids safe and help them learn.  You did that and so much more.  You helped pave the road for our children's love of learning, their ability to form relationships outside our family, and helped build their self confidence.  We are grateful for our time at the Red Balloon."  -Katherine K. alumni parent.  Both children currently attend Bank Street with a substantial scholarship.

 "The Red Balloon is a diamond in the rough.  It's a place where parents know their children will be loved, educated, nutritously  fed, and well cared for in a safe, nurturing, and diverse environment.  It represents a community of parents, teachers, and administrators who collectively work for the good of the children.  That's why parents return when they have a new addition to their family.  We have had two sons there and plan on sending our new daughter in two more years.  We love it here and love what the school represents." -Diana & Vaughn H.