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History and Enduring Values
A Brighter Community, Inc. was founded in 1925 when the United Way, then known as the Community Chest, was pulling together 16 agencies in its first fund drive. At that time the school was known as the Women's Christian Temperance Union Day Nursery. The buyers for the school's location on Marion Street just North of downtown Tampa are well known in Tampa's history, J.A. Epps and J.G. Bedingfield. The trustees at the time were James W. Morris, Jr., James Hadley, E.H. Robinson, W. Raleigh Petteway, and Howard P. Macfarlane. The Women's Christian Temperance Union Day Nursery later became known as the Tampa Day Nursery and still remains at the same location on Marion Street.
A Brighter Community, Inc. is the oldest non-profit preschool in Hillsborough County. The school is United Way supported and is a nationally accredited preschool and family support program. Through community collaborations, A Brighter Community offers access to speech, occupational and physical therapy, and mental health counseling. The school serves economically and environmentally at risk children, ages 3 - 5 years. A Brighter Community is also a certified voluntary pre-kindergarten provider.
Our purpose is to create a brighter future for at risk children by building a foundation of support through education and quality programming.
Changing Lives and Futures
In 1925 the Women's Christian Temperance Union Day Nursery founder, Mama Houston, saw a need for a daycare and school for hard working, lower income families. The school's values remain the same today, helping those who are willing to help themselves. Over the years, A Brighter Community has prepared over 2,000 children for Kindergarten.
The addition of a family support program enables the staff at A Brighter Community to provide services to not only the preschool children but to their families as well. Our family support system provides resources, referral information, and assistance in housing, employment, education, transportation, and holiday assistance.
Early Childhood Facts
According to Child Trends research, children who experience child abuse, neglect or family violence are at a higher risk for poor development not only during their childhood, but also throughout their lives.
Current research in brain development clearly indicates that the emotional, physical and intellectual environment that a child is exposed to in early years has a profound impact on how the brain is organized. The experiences of a child with respect to parents and caregivers significantly influences the child long term. Family researchers have discovered that poor communication can lead to excessive conflict, ineffective problem solving, lack of intimacy, weak emotional bonding and behavioural problems in children.
Furthermore, early childhood programs benefit the community as a whole. For every dollar invested in preschools, an average of $7.10 is returned to the community. Studies from the High/Scope Perry Preschool Project indicate that children who attend preschool have:
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Higher IQ scores when the enter school
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Better grades from kindergarten through high school
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Higher scores on achievement tests through middle school
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Fewer placements in special education classes
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Higher graduation rates from high school
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Higher employment rates at the age of 19
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Fewer welfare recipients through the age of 27
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Higher monthly earnings at the age of 27
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Fewer criminal arrests
A Brighter Community is proud to be accredited by:
Quality Counts for Kids
and
NAEYC
A Brighter Community
1613 North Marion St.
Tampa , FL 33602
813-223-6830
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