Grant spins center’s training program into motion
Posted on Thursday, August 28, 2008
Daily Record photograph by Charles Fowler During a news conference at the Helen R. Walton Children’s Enrichment Center in Bentonville on Wednesday, a $ 12, 000 check was presented to the center from Wal-Mart / Sam’s Club. Shown, from left, are the center’s board president, Carla Kallesen; Sondra Oliphant with Sam’s Club; Becky Anderson; Patti Bennett with Wal-Mart; Tori Burch and Londin Reese, from the Bears class at the center; and Michelle Stevens, director of the center.
BENTONVILLE — Thanks to grants from six departments of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the Helen R. Walton Children’s Enrichment Center is holding a $ 12, 000 check.
According to center officials, the grant not only opens the door to improving the quality of care at its own facility at 1701 N. E. Wildcat Way, but childcare operations across northwest Arkansas.
“ Children are our first priority, not just the children served at HWCEC, ” executive director Michelle Stephens said. “ We are proud to announce the new early-childhood-initiative training program. Thanks to Wal-Mart and other community support, we are able to provide training to support Arkansas’ Quality Accreditation program. We will provide at least 15 free training sessions to childcare programs throughout northwest Arkansas.
According to the center, many of these training sessions will feature a homework component. Participating centers will be challenged to implement training goals and, in turn, will receive resources for their programs. HWCEC will offer free first aid and CPR classes to 96 early-childhood professionals from more than 20 centers across the region, ensuring that young children have access to critical response in the case of an emergency.
The center will also offer also offer post-secondary scholarships to five childcare directors to pursue childdevelopment degrees.
“ Childcare is a critical infrastructure need, as it supports the work force in our region, ” said Teresa Mills, HWCEC development manager. “ We greatly appreciate Wal-Mart’s continued support to enhance the quality of life in northwest Arkansas. ”
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