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March 11, 2026                                                                                                             Phone: 847-888-5000, ext. 5300

U-46 Names Enriching Partnerships for Early Learning as its Business Partner of the Year 

Organization focuses on helping every young child succeed in school & life 

ELGIN - School District U-46 celebrated its enduring relationship with Enriching Partnerships for Early Learning (EPEL) by naming the organization its 2026 Business Partner of the Year.

Founded in 2012 as a collaborative community partnership, EPEL focuses its efforts towards children ages five and under. The non-profit brings together families, community organizations, early childhood professionals, and healthcare providers to build a coordinated system of support — aiming to ensure that every young child has the foundation needed to succeed in school and in life.

U-46 Chief of Staff Brian Lindholm presented the award to Amber Peters, EPEL’s executive director, during the Elgin Area Chamber’s annual meeting, on March 4.

“EPEL has been a vital partner to School District U-46 in our shared commitment to making sure that kindergarten readiness begins long before a child walks into a kindergarten classroom,” Lindholm said. “EPEL meets families where they are, listens to their needs, and elevates their voices.”

Peters said the honor acknowledges the power of organizations working together to support children and families.

“While the award says ‘business partner,’ it feels much more like a family working together to create awareness and access for others,” she said. “When communities invest in early childhood and meet families where they are, we help build the strong foundation children need to succeed in school and in life.”

Lindholm noted that EPEL’s impact only continues to grow with its launch last year of The Basics of Greater Elgin, in partnership with U-46. Rooted in five science-based parenting and caregiving principles, The Basics offers powerful everyday tools for families to support their children’s development. EPEL has trained education and child care professionals in the Basics Principles, installed engagement stations in more than two dozen locations across the community, and reached hundreds of families.

“I am excited to see the continued growth of The Basics of Greater Elgin under EPEL’s leadership,” Lindholm said. “This broad, collective approach is creating a community-wide culture that helps all young children thrive.”

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School District U-46 serves families in 11 communities: Bartlett, Elgin, Hanover Park, South Elgin, Streamwood and Wayne, as well as portions of Carol Stream, Hoffman Estates, St. Charles, Schaumburg, and West Chicago. In total, the District encompasses 90 square miles within the Fox River Valley, approximately 45 minutes northwest of downtown Chicago, and includes communities within Cook, DuPage and Kane counties. Thirty-three thousand preschoolers through twelfth graders attend the 56 District schools and programs. To learn more, visit the U-46 website, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn.