Every year, more than 12,000 children in Polk County benefit from the Early Learning Coalition’s mission to assure that all children enter school healthy, ready, and eager for lifelong learning. The nonprofit organization, which has been active in Polk County since 1999, provides access to high quality education for children who are at-risk or economically disadvantaged through a variety of programs. The Coalition’s Voluntary PreK Program helps ensure a strong foundation for children before they enter the K-12 system, and its Nurse Family Partnership Program take a holistic approach by working with first-time, at-risk pregnant mothers and providing education and guidance on maternal and child health, child development, and economic self-sufficiency.
Early Learning Coalition understands that none of us can go it alone, so it partners with other organizations and agencies in Polk County and beyond to help identify resources and opportunities to maximize our ability to deliver the highest quality services. It is that collaborative spirit and dedication to helping ensure the success of our community’s children that caught the attention of the Dyer Difference Award Committee, which chose to honor the Early Learning Coalition of Polk County with the August Dyer Difference Award.
Each month, members of the Dyer family and Dyer Kia and Dyer Chevrolet team meet to review the applications which have been submitted and select one non-profit organization to receive that month’s recognition and $3,000 award. For the members of the Dyer team, it’s all about helping to make a positive difference in the community. For the recipients, it’s an acknowledgement of their tireless efforts to do the same and a much-needed financial boost to help further their missions. If you’d like to nominate a non-profit organization from Polk County for the Dyer Difference Award, please visit www.dyerdifference.org.