Helen R. Walton Children's Enrichment Center Community Partners

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over the past two year, the Helen R. Walton Children's Enrichment Center has seen a growing need for scholarship assistance.  Since January 2010, HWCEC has provided scholarships to 35 families, which ensures 42 children are receiving high quality care and education.  Through the Community Development Block Grant, The City of Bentonville awarded HWCEC $16,200 to provide scholarships to families in greatest need.  Six (6) of the recipients were deemed to be "very low" income families (less than 50% of the median income).  An example would be a single parent raising a child in Bentonville and surviving on less than $22,000 a year.  When the average tuition for a preschool child in Bentonville is $7,020, that is 32% of the single parent's gross income.

 

What type of investment can be seen with a $16,200 investment in early childhood scholarships?  How about a $9.21 for very $1.00 invested (according to a study conducted by Entergy).  You might ask, how is this possible?  Long-range studies have shown that children who attend a high quality early childhood program for at least one year are:

  • better prepared for school success

  • are less likely to need school remediation

  • more likely to graduate from high school 

  • are less likely to need social services

  • will earn $260,000 in lifetime earnings, creating more tax revenue for the community

Interesting fact:  Seven (7) of the parents utilizing the HWCEC scholarship program, attend college while working full-time.  This will result in greater earnings for the household.

 

Thank you City of Bentonville for providing scholarships to children in need.

 

 

 

Want to Help Young Children Across Northwest Arkansas?

As the holidays approach many companies and families want to give back to their community.  Did you know that financially supporting HWCEC impacts young children across Northwest Arkansas? 

 

Contact Michelle Stephens at 479.273.3552 or mstephens@hwccenter.com for more information on how your gift can ensure more Northwest Arkansas children enter kindergarten prepared for success.

 

 

 

HWCEC would like to extend our sincere thanks to the following companies 

and individuals for their recent support:

 

Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education

Blue and You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas 

Care Foundation

City of Bentonville, Community Development Block Grant

Marketing Drive Worldwide

Carl and Alleen McKinney Charitable Trust

Crown Crafts

Parent Teacher Organization

Pinecrest Private School

Show Room Services

Sterns-Coleman

Unilever

United Way of Northwest Arkansas

Wal-Mart Foundation

Wal-Mart PMDC 

Walton Family Foundation, Inc.  

Windgate Foundation

 

Jennifer and Rhett Bedwell

Bob and Marilyn Bogle Charitable Trust

Wesley and Jackie Grube

Raymond and Erin Jordan

Sondra Oliphant

Shane and Leanna Paine

Martine Pollard

Randy and Kelly Roebuck

Shannon Shoptaw

 

 

1701 NE Wildcat Way

 Bentonville, Arkansas

479-273-3552