In the District, some 2700 children under the age of six grow up in poverty and experience homelessness, and they often begin school with disadvantages that create a life-long "achievement gap." Bright Beginnings gives them a more secure, positive start, offering a rigorous infant, toddler, and pre-k curriculum along with access to counseling, speech therapy, and early literacy tools. Serving some 350 children annually, its Early Head Start and Head Start programs establish a solid foundation for reading and writing, and ensure early intervention for learning disabilities and health problems (free therapeutic services, and dental, vision, and hearing screenings, are available on site). A strong family services program sees that parents develop the skills to monitor their children's development, meet their basic needs, and tap resources to find employment and move toward self-sufficiency. Your support can be the start of something extraordinary.
Headquarters: DC-Ward 6
Where They Operate: DC-Citywide; Bright Beginnings, Inc. serves homeless families from every ward in the city from our office in the Perry School in the Sursam Corda neighborhood near North Capitol Street, New York Avenue and New Jersey Avenue in northwest.
Age Groups Served: Infants (0-2); Pre-K (3-4)
Ethnic Groups Served: African American; Other
Awards & Recognition
--5-year accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (received 2009). Only 8% of early childhood education centers nationally receive this accreditation.
--an approved Head Start and Early Head Start program that has been recognized by the Department of Human Services, Office of Early Childhood Development as operating a “gold standard of excellence” early childhood development program.
--designated as the District of Columbia’s 2010 representative in the Head Start Centers of Excellence in Early Childhood program, which recognizes high-performing Head Start and Early Head Start programs that exceed program performance standards, implement innovative approaches in early childhood education and deliver positive, measurable outcomes in serving children. (2009)
Press
- Bright Beginnings Inc. gives hope to underprivileged families.
Thu Feb 20 2014, WJLA
For more than 20 years, Bright Beginnings has helped roughly 1,700 homeless children with free meals, transportation and education.
- Purpose Prize Fellows 2011
Thu Nov 3 2011, Encore Careers
Executive Director Dr. Betty Jo Gaines was named a Purpose Prize Fellow for her work with homeless children and families in Washington, DC.
- Bright Beginnings: helping homeless families in Washington, D.C.
Sun May 1 2011, Let's Talk Live, News Channel 8
Director of Development and Communications and Bright Beginnings board member talk about Bright Beginnings' work.
- Friday's Heroes
Tue Mar 1 2011, Channel 9
- Holly Morris-Tossed and Found
Tue Mar 1 2011, Fox 5 News
The Junior League of Washington hosts their annual Tossed and Found sale, which benefitted Bright Beginnings.
Budget (FY2014)
- The current budget for Bright Beginnings is: $3 million or higher
- $1 million to $3 million
- $500k to $1 million
- Less than $500k
Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to
About the Catalogue for Philanthropy
Each year 120 expert reviewers evaluate applicants for distinction, merit, and impact. Each featured charity has been successfully site visited and its financials given the thumbs up. The Catalogue for Philanthropy charges no fees and raises funds separately to support its work. Since 2003, it has raised over $40 million for charities across the Greater Washington region.
The Catalogue for Philanthropy looks to friends like you to keep our services independent and entirely free of charge. Consider a small contribution to the Catalogue to cap off your gift and help the causes you care about get the full support they deserve!