Early Childhood Education

History

In 2018, Toledo's community leaders had a vision: to create a universal accessible Pre-K system that would serve all of the city's young children. To turn this dream into reality, they brought in a consulting firm called Evolve Potential to work with key partners including the Greater Toledo Community Foundation, local school districts, ProMedica, and United Way.

By July 2019, the path forward became clearer. Evolve Potential's research showed that Toledo could indeed build a city-wide pre-K system by combining public and private funding. Their recommendation included a proven strategy: shared services. This approach, successful in other cities across America, would help preschools and daycares share resources, reduce costs, and ultimately provide better education for Toledo's children.

The community took action in early 2020, backed by a Strategic Alliance Partnership grant. Experts began meeting with local organizations like the YWCA, YMCA, and the Toledo Early Learning Coalition (TELC) to explore how shared services could work in Toledo. The momentum was building - until COVID-19 hit.

The pandemic could have derailed the entire initiative, as many childcare centers were forced to close their doors. But instead, it demonstrated exactly why shared services were so valuable. TELC, which already operated a small shared services hub, sprung into action. They helped their six member providers navigate the crisis, securing an impressive $750,000 in emergency funding within just a few months.

Even during the darkest days of the pandemic, Toledo's funding community didn't give up. Organizations like PNC, ProMedica, Andersons, and others continued meeting to keep the dream alive. The Community Foundation invested $600,000 in this initiative.

Today, this vision has evolved into the Shared Services Alliance, hosted by HOPE Toledo Services and operated through TELC and YWCA Child Care Resource and Referral. As HOPE Toledo's President Rev. John Jones explains, the goal remains ambitious but clear: to build an "inclusive cradle-to-career education initiative" that will serve Toledo's youth for generations to come.

This collaborative effort continues to work toward making childcare centers stronger and more sustainable, ensuring that Toledo's youngest residents have access to the high-quality early education they deserve.

How It Works

HOPE helps families get connected with early childhood education and childcare services. Since its creation in 2021, pooling together a shared services model with TECL and YWCA, HOPE has finished 3 school years, served 1,800 families, partnered with over 30 different educational centers, and provides everything from professional development for providers to classroom observations to ensure best practices. They also ensure teachers receive classroom support and bonuses, organize family engagement projects, and have started implementing a mental health component to both teachers and students. YWCA primarily focuses on workforce development, while TELC primarily focuses on parent and community engagement. 

Suzanne Gall, Director of CCR&R at the YWCA adds, "This network of shared services providers has become increasingly sustainable, successful, and proactive, strengthening the child care programs as successful businesses. This gives peace of mind to the families they serve.” 

Additionally, HOPE focuses on supporting families 'in the gaps.' If they don’t meet the minimum qualifications to receive state and federal help, HOPE steps in and provides funds to unlock affordable childcare. 

Partnerships

SSOE kicked off 2025 with a multi-year financial commitment to HOPE Toledo through the SSOE Foundation which will result in a minimum of $100,000 donated to the nonprofit.  

"Our support to HOPE Toledo, Toledo Public Schools, the University of Toledo, and other local partners demonstrates SSOE’s dedication to the full cycle of education in the area," said Vince DiPofi, PE, CEO of SSOE.

Rotary Club of Toledo and Chicks for Charity are hosting HOPE Toledo at an event in March 2025 entitled: "Investing in Our Community’s Economic Future: Early Childhood Education is Everything."

“Rotary Club of Toledo has a century-long history and commitment to supporting youth in our community. As nonprofit and business leaders, we have an obligation to come together to invest our time, talent, treasure and influence in programs and services that enable children to reach their potential and become contributing members of our community,” said Kevin Mullan, president of Rotary Club of Toledo.

For more information on the event, visit https://www.hope-toledo.org/educationsummit.