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RA INBOW CHI LD DEVELOPMENT CENTER ’S OUTDOOR PLAY SPACE

AND NATURAL CLASSROOM

PROGRAM

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 8 , 2017

GRAND OPENING

Rainbow Child Development Center (RCDC) services 250 highly at-risk children

daily from 6 weeks up to 13 years old and offers high returns on investment to

the City of Worcester. The Center’s three programs, namely, Family Child Care,

Preschool and Extended Learning School Age Program, supported by our community

partners, provide proactive, innovative programs that ultimately transform the lives

of children and their families. Each day RCDC’s team of teachers and administrators

work toward closing the achievement gap and eliminating the cycle of poverty. This

is accomplished through leading edge programming, best practices in assessment,

collaborating with community partners, and establishing a partnership with parents

that facilitates their children’s success and their retention of their full-time

employment to become self-sufficient.

The Center serves children from very low income families. Many are subject to daily

adverse experiences that include being victims of abuse or neglect. The center

of RCDC’s attention is to enhance students’ academic success and self-esteem

through enriched academic, cultural and healthy lifestyle programs.

The Center’s healthy lifestyle and nutrition programs continue to grow and develop.

Last summer children enjoyed planting, caring for and eating fresh tomatoes,

peppers, basil, squash and broccoli from Preschool children. Children in the after

school program participated in a nutritional food series facilitated by Nutritional

Educators from UMass Food Extension Program.

Throughout the year, Rainbow hosts family-friendly events at no cost such as:

A Parent Healthy Cooking On a Budget Series, “Veggie Parties,” African Dance and

Drumming Presentation, Family Bingo, and Art Exhibits. Needless to say, the Center

is vibrant. We encourage you to visit Rainbow Child Development Center to see

how your support has transformed children’s lives!

Rainbow Child Development Center transforms the lives of at-risk children and

their families by providing quality educational and therapeutic programs and services.

MISSION

ABOUT RAINBOW

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WelcomeJoyce Rowell, Executive Director & Rosemarie Boyd, Board President

Key Note Address Tom Weber, Commissioner, Massachusetts

Department Of Early Education & Care

Citation Award PresentationDavid Tuttle, Superintendent,

Worcester County House Of Corrections

Importance and Impact of Early Education on Children, Schools, Community and Workforce Development

William EddyExecutive Director of The MA Association of

Early Education & Care

Ed AugustusWorcester City Manager

Representative Mary Keefe

EEOST GrantBree Horowitz

Senior Project Manager, Children’s Investment Fund, Community Economic Development

Assistance Corporation (CEDAC)

Ribbon Cutting, Group Photos and Tour of the RCDC’s Play Space

Student Exhibits and Refreshments

RA INBOW CHI LD DEVELOPMENT CENTER ’S OUTDOOR PLAY SPACE

AND NATURAL CLASSROOM

GRAND OPENING

Please welcome our State Senators, Legislatures, and City Officials in attendance:

Maureen Binienda - Superintendent of Worcester Public Schools, Senator Harriette Chandler, Senator Michael Moore

and Representative Hanna Kane.

10am

10:10am - 10:45am

10:50am

11am

As a high-quality early education and care center, Rainbow was in critical need

for a rehabilitated Outdoor Play Space! Here’s why:

The existing outdoor climbing structures were deemed unsafe by the MA

Department of Early Education and Care.

Repairs needed included removal of protruding and rusted bolts, replacement

of climbing structures, and potentially dangerous platform and slide gaps.

It serves as the primary play space for hundreds of children enrolled in

Rainbow year-round.

Physical movement is a priority for children of all ages and levels of ability.

Physical activity promotes confidence, physical competence, social skills,

and assists in reducing childhood obesity.

The Center’s ADA Outdoor Play Space and Natural Classroom was

completed in July 2017. It now features:

Numerous climbers, balance and overhead components that will

increase children’s strength and endurance

A tricycle path

An age appropriate obstacle course

Enhanced outdoor garden area

Safe rubber and turf areas to play on and shade structures

Equipment designed and certified by a Certified Playground Safety Inspector

OUTDOOR PLAY SPACE RESTORATION INITIATIVE

Playis the highest form of

research.– Albert Einstein

Studies confirm that when children lack unstructured play, it often increases their level of

anxiety, depression, disengaged behavior and negatively affects self-esteem. The majority

of children enrolled in Rainbow’s programs have very little home access to outdoor play

areas due to limited availability and safety concerns with playgrounds in their impoverished

neighborhoods. Incorporating structured as well as free play outdoor activities in a safe

setting is a critical part of Rainbow’s curriculum for our children. However, the Center’s

previously existing outdoor equipment did not meet the MA Department of Early

Education and Care (EEC) standards and therefore required replacement.

Massachusetts is a national leader in education and community development. The

Commonwealth made history with the creation of the EEOST Capital Fund, by becoming

the second state in the nation to make state bond financing available to improve the quality

of early education and out of school time facilities. EEOST funds major capital facilities

projects, through a competitive grant to tax exempt, non-profit, community based, child

care programs serving at-risk children and families. The EEOST Capital Fund has provided

up to $45 million in general obligation bond funding over five years, for grants to Group

and School Age Child Care facilities licensed by EEC. EEC partners with the Community

Economic Assistance Development Corporation (CEDAC) and its affiliate, The Children’s

Investment Fund (CIF), to development the pre-application, application materials and

Program Guidelines. Rainbow met the EEOST grant criteria and applied to the EEOST

Capital Fund for financial support to fund the restoration of its outdoor play space. The

Center was one of six sites to receive funding in the second EEOST grant round in 2016

which totaled $3.6 million. Rainbow was awarded its full request of $200,000, which

served as the corner stone to the Center’s Capital Campaign for the project.

The partnership between Rainbow and EEOST’s management team has allowed this

new play space to become a reality. Each day children are running, climbing, jumping,

smiling, laughing and solidifying relationships. Rainbow’s play space has been

designed and built with our children in mind to facilitate developing their strength,

social development and confidence.

The Center is grateful to all involved with the EEOST Capital fund for their financial

support and commitment to children’s physical space which will have a positive and

lifetime impact on each of our children.

RAINBOW CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER’S EARLY EDUCATION OUT OF SCHOOL TIME CAPITAL FUND (EEOST) AWARD

SPECIAL NOTE OF GRATITUDE

Dr. Marianne Felice, MD

Professor of Pediatrics & Ob/Gyn, Former Chair, Dept. of Pediatrics, UMass

Medical School/UMass Memorial Health Care, Co-Chair of RCDC’s Outdoor

Play Space Restoration Capital Campaign

Robert Longden

Partner, Bowditch & Dewey, Co-Chair of RCDC’s Outdoor Play Space

Restoration Capital Campaign

Warner S. Fletcher

Officer/Director, FletcherTilton Attorneys at Law Mr. Fletcher’s financial commitment to Rainbow’s restoration project through private and charitable trusts and foundations was vital to the project’s funding.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Rosemarie A. Boyd, CFP - President Eric Roldan - First Vice PresidentLinda Hyde - Second Vice PresidentErin Delaney - TreasurerNadine A. Premo - Immediate Past PresidentDeborah A. Almstrom Jared FiorePatrick Harvey

Sharon Hogan Anna Mary Kraemer Karen Longo Dianne Trachimowicz Lizandra Velez Shirley Williams Joyce Rowell, EX OFFICIO

AAF Alexander Aronson Finning, CPA’sAberman AssociatesAlbert Gifford Charitable TrustAlden TrustAll Brand New EnglandAmelia Peabody Charitable FundBank of Canton Mortgage CenterBeagary Charitable TrustBowditch & Dewey LLPBoyd Financial Strategies, Inc.Charter/SpectrumCutler Associates, Inc.Cutler Capital ManagementEEC - Out of School Time Children’s Trust FoundationFletcher FoundationGeorge F. & Sybil H. Fuller FoundationGifford Charitable TrustHarvard Pilgrim Health FoundationHoche Scofield FoundationMA Department of Early Education and CareMA Department of Elementary and Secondary EducationMarsh and McLennan AgencyMelvin S. Cutler Charitable Foundation

Morgan-Worcester, Inc.National GridPalley AdvertisingPeak Financial ServicesRE/Maxx VisionRuth and Warren Ellsworth FoundationShepherd and Goldstein LLPSouthbridge Savings BankSpectrumSpencer BankStoddard Charitable TrustSweet Sara JewelryThe Worcester RailersUniquely Your DécorUnited BankVerizonWebster Five Cents Savings BankWebster Five FoundationWyman-Gordon Foundation

RCDC’S OUTDOOR PLAY SPACE RESTORATION INITIATIVE WAS GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY THE FOLLOWING FOUNDATIONS, BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS...

THANK YOU!

RCDC’S OUTDOOR PLAY SPACE RESTORATION INITIATIVE WAS GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS...

THANK YOU!

Paul Almstrom Debbie Almstrom Paige Almstrom Barbara Jean Arnold JoAnn Audette Francis Audette Joseph Bafaro Florence Berqquist Kurt Binder Karen Binder Norman Bitsoli Sue-Ann Bock Warren Bock Rosemarie Boyd John Boyd Peter Boyd Kelly Boyd Kate Branter Pat Breault Joanne Bromage Charlie Bromage Jeff Burke Megan Burke Patricia Carignan Frances Cartagena Tracy Cartagena Mary Casey Mary Charman Laurie Chew Martha Chiarchiaro Barbara Crosbie Aileen Daley Mike Daley Christian Dame David Degon Steve Degon Peg Degon Diane Degon Erin Delaney Laurie Derrico Joyce DeWallace Jose Diaz Jackeline Diaz Barbara Dolan Don Doyle Connie Doyle Glenn Dugger Mary Duncan Andy Duncan Marianne Felice Mary Jane Ferguson Kevin Ferguson Justin Filo Beth Fiore

Jared Fiore Joseph Fischgrund Ann Flynn Marilynn Foley Joyce Giacomarra Steve Giza Gloria Goden Lou Golato Matt Goldstein Paula Green Susan Grillo Peter Grillo Rosemary Hallen Robert Hallock Michael Harrington Rory Harrity Patrick Harvey Maria Harvey Sharon Hogan Patrick Hogan Donna Holloway Priscilla Holmes Richard Hummel Linda Hyde Lee Joseph Steve Joseph Dianna Kach Joan Kaplan Rebecca Kardon Addie Keane David Kelleher Pat Kieley Diane Kieley Martha Kinback Mark Kinback Kris Koliss Anna Mary Kraemer David Krom Joan LaBelle Dawn LaBelle Allison Lane Josh LaPan Kristin LaPan Pam Lazerick Marisol Ledoux John Ledoux Nicole Legere Suzann Legere Barbara Legere Bernie Lempicki Joyce Leoleis Joyce Leous Dale LePageRobert Longden

Karen LongoJohn Longo John Lund Debbie Macomber Bob Macomber Margaret Mangaudis Mike Mangaudis Linda Mangini Warren Manigault Julie Manigault Kristine Martineau Leslie Masiello Ron Masiello Emily Matson Greg Maynard Linda Mayuski Paul Mayuski Ann McFarlane Maureen McGinty Shauna McManus Peggy Menegakis Alvaro Millet Alvaro Millet-Roldan John Monfredo Ann Marie Monfredo Gail Morgan Barbara Noponen Charlene O’Connor Brian O’Connor Clare O’Connor Sheryl O’Connor Bill O’Connor Winnie Octave Marilyn O’Neil Mike O’Shea Colleen Pappas Callie Pendergast Bryan Plouffe Nadine PremoGary Premo Paul Proko Candace Race Richard Race Satya Rameshwar Donna Raymond Donna Reidy Marianna Riemer John RiemerAnne Rivers Mikey Rodriguez Glenda Rodriguez Eric Roldan Matt Rosenlund Joyce Rowell

David Rowell Libbie Rowell Phil Rowell Dan Rowell Kristen Rowell-Kirk David Russell Mrs. Russell Angela Sarna Joe Saster Jane Scheffel Hannes Scheffel Anne Marie Sciammacco Frank Sciammacco Cynthia Segal Bernard Segal Albert Shahnarian Sandra Shahnarian Bekki Somsy Kathleen Spangler Peter Stanton Rameshwar Sundaresan Rosanna Swillo John Tainor Eric Thanas Jen Thanas Nancy Thibault Paul Thibault Robert Totaro Melissa Totaro Dianne Trachimowicz Rick Trachimowicz Kathy Trainor Joe Vadja Mary Vadja Lizi Velez Evelyn Velez Davide Villani Christine Whipple Sandy White Rubin Williams Shirley Williams

Cutler Associates portfolio of work with Rainbow Child Development Center includes

renovating the Center’s classrooms and offices at 10 Edward Street when Rainbow

purchased the building in 2004. Cutler has since worked with Rainbow throughout the

years on various phases of the building’s renovations. Cutler was also selected to design

and build Rainbow’s Outdoor Play Space. Cutler’s Design and Construction Team

collaborated with Rainbow’s Team to restore, level and install a ramp in the Center’s urban

play space in order to be ADA accessible, expand the natural classroom area and rebuild

the retaining wall that supports the play space. This was not an easy project! Rainbow’s

Project Team was impressed with Cutler’s exceptional customer service, engineering,

construction, attention to detail and commitment to serving Rainbow and Worcester’s

Belmont Hill neighborhood. Cutler Associates execution of this project was outstanding!

UltiPlay Parks & Playgrounds, a preferred recreation vendor of high quality equipment for

schools, child care centers throughout New England was selected to design and install

Rainbow’s play space equipment. Ultiplay is recognized for their proficiency and

cutting-edge innovation to assure the very best in multi-generational playground equipment.

Mike Parody, President of Ultiplay provided guidance and expertise to Rainbow’s Project

Team throughout the project to ensure that the play space’s four accessible areas had safe,

eco-friendly surface material with multiple entry points and numerous activities. Everyday

children enjoy climbing on bright and colorful structures, challenge themselves on overhead

rings, climbers, and rock walls, and work on their “signature shot” on the basketball court.

Rainbow’s restored play space offers children the benefits of unstructured play while

increasing their physical fitness, coordination, agility, problem solving and social skills.

Rainbow Child Development Center’s Board, Administration, and staff are sincerely grateful

to Cutler Associates and Ultiplay Parks & Playgrounds for their support and enthusiasm to

build a “recreational oasis” for hundreds of children to enjoy for years to come.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

THANK YOU!

Making a difference academically, socially and emotionally