The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to increased violence against women, resulting in a higher number of women and children fleeing their homes to live in transitional shelters. 

Women typically stay in second-stage transitional housing for one to two years. It is an uncertain and trying time for both mothers and their children. Mothers may lack the time, resources, or confidence to effectively engage their pre-school children in early learning, posing a grave concern when these are the most formative learning years for children. 

Due to the gap in structured early learning opportunities for children living with their mothers in transitional housing, some children are slipping through the cracks. SELF seeks to close this gap and pilot a high-quality early learning program to serve mothers and their children living in second stage shelters.

Our partners will engage mothers using an inclusive and flexible early-learning model. Mothers will spend 15 minutes a day, five days a week, with their children working on high-quality structured early learning activities. This will prepare children to do well at school and in life. It will also strengthen the mother-child bond which is vital to the child’s development and wellbeing in the early years. Mothers and children will also be able to build community by connecting with other families living in similar circumstances.

Families enrolled in the program will receive: