OUR VISION FOR CREATING A CULTURE OF OPPORTUNITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING

Kids are at the heart of what we do. We believe that every child has the right to grow up in a world that honors their whole selves and offers every opportunity for health and wellbeing. Opportunity is fundamental to the community we want to build together. ReadyKids’ strives to become an organization where every person belongs. This is our vision for that work.

OUR JOURNEY

As a 100-year-old organization, our history is interwoven with historic discrimination in our community. Our past continues to shape our organization and the individual experiences of the people we serve. We aim to do our part to increase access to resources and programs that were previously limited so that we can ensure the best outcomes for all our community’s kids, families, and early childhood educators.

To meet our mission of getting kids ready for the future, ReadyKids invests in and commits to this work because:.

• Systemic lack of opportunity has impacts that lasts for generations, pushes children and families further toward the margins, and creates barriers to success.
• As part of this community, it is our responsibility, individually and collectively, to consistently speak up and stand up for every child and family who is also part of our community.

ReadyKids aspires to:

• Foster an environment for all staff and board that celebrates difference and values each member’s unique contributions to meeting our mission, while preparing them to effectively meet the needs of a diverse group of participants and partners.
• Partner with our participants with humility and cultural responsiveness so they are actively included in shaping our programs and activities, particularly those activities in which they are taking part.
• Seek, invite, and elevate voices and experiences of all individuals and communities, especially those who have previously been unheard.

We understand that this work is ongoing, and we will not stop here. ReadyKids is invested in listening, learning, evolving, and taking actionable steps to ensure a community where every child is afforded the same opportunities, now and in the future.