Dear Groundwork Team, Thank you for making Advocacy Day 2017 an absolute success. With over 200 early childhood stakeholders and the robust participation of key legislative decision-makers in our State, we have elevated both our budget advocacy and our organization to a new level. As I reflect on yesterday's event, I am grateful that Groundwork can call on you, our advocates, from different professional backgrounds all across the state to unify around one common purpose--improving access to quality early childhood education for our most at risk kids. I am humbled by your support and we could not have done this without each and everyone of you. I again want to honor and celebrate our legislative champions that received awards from Groundwork yesterday for their long-standing commitment to Ohio kids and their support of our mission. Certainly their thoughtful remarks and wise suggestions prepared our advocates to deliver a strong and consistent message to the Statehouse about the critical importance of increased investments in Ohio's early childhood education system.
Senate President Larry Obhof (R-Medina) received the "Lay the Groundwork Award" and is joined above by Groundwork's Executive Committee members.
From left: Eric Karolak (CEO, Action for Children), Robyn Lightcap (Executive Director, Learn to Earn Dayton), President Larry Obhoff and Stephanie Byrd (Executive Director, Cincinnati Preschool Promise)
Representative Ryan Smith (R-Bidwell) received the "Lay the Groundwork Award" and is also joined above by Groundwork's Executive Committee members. From left: Eric Karolak (CEO, Action for Children), Robyn Lightcap (Executive Director, Learn to Earn Dayton), Representative Ryan Smith and Stephanie Byrd (Executive Director, Cincinnati Preschool Promise)
Senator Peggy Lehner (R-Kettering), Senator Charleta Tavares (D-Columbus), Assistant Minority Leader, and Representative Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewhood), Minority Whip, received the "A Step Above Award" and is joined by Groundwork Steering Committee Members. From left: Stephanie Byrd, Robyn Lightcap, Karen Lampe, Kimberly Tice, Eric Karolak, Senator Charleta Tavares, Margaret Hulbert, Senator Peggy Lehner, Representative Nickie Antonio, Shannon Jones, Katie Kelley, Rebekah Dorman, and Laura DiCola.
Advocacy Day 2017 has passed but our advocacy does not. Now, more than ever, we have to continue to advocate for a new investment of $22 million dollars into the system to correct the accounting injustice impacting 38 counties and almost 40,000 kids across the state in the state budget. To educate your networks and legislators, please continue to rely on us and our resources. We will update resources on our website (http://www.groundworkohio.org) and inform you of important developments in our weekly e-newsletter. Thank you again for all your hard work and dedication to Ohio kids. Shannon Jones Executive Director