FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EPEL Awarded $75,000 Subcontract from Birth to Five Illinois to Strengthen Early Childhood System

Elgin, IL – 10.19.2025 – Enriching Partnerships for Early Learning (EPEL) is proud to announce that the early childhood community collaboration has been awarded a subcontract from Birth to Five Illinois. The $75,000 subcontract will support EPEL’s ongoing work to build an accessible, equitable, and sustainable early childhood system in the Greater Elgin area.

Through this funding, EPEL will advance strategies that connect families with vital resources and strengthen partnerships across sectors, including:

•    Coordinating and hosting neighborhood-based family engagement events

•    Strengthening partnerships with healthcare and housing providers

•    Leveraging cross-sector collaborations to reach and support more families

•    Hosting collaborative meetings with early childhood partners

•    Engaging local business owners as champions for early learning

"EPEL’s vision is that young children and their families in the Greater Elgin area have equitable opportunities to thrive," said Amber Peters, EPEL Executive Director. "Our mission is to engage families, organizations, the early childhood workforce, and healthcare providers in creating a collaborative, community-wide system of support, so that every young child can succeed in school and life. This funding allows us to continue bringing that vision and mission to life in meaningful ways for families across our communities."

For more information about EPEL and resources, visit: www.enrichingpartnerships.org

Contact:

Amber Peters, EPEL Executive Director

amberpeters@enrichingpartnership.org

847.452-2457