In October, Strategies for Children hosted the Early Childhood Summit at Mechanics Hall in Worcester. Over 150 early childhood advocates, educators, and leaders from across the state united to share their experiences, knowledge, and best practices with one another.
Early Childhood Summit hosted by Strategies for Children at Mechanics Hall, Worcester, MA October 16, 2025 - Photo Credit Troy B. Thompson Photography
Additionally, the Summit featured organizational updates from Strategies for Children and The Early Childhood Agenda, panel discussions, and much more.
'The Energy at the Early Childhood Summit Was Truly Electric.'
Summit attendees celebrated the progress that they've made in unifying and enhancing early childhood improvement efforts in Massachusetts. The Summit took place in-person, which helped everyone deepen their connections with colleagues.
Attendees also explored ways to advance the Early Childhood Agenda and move closer to achieving their shared vision of a better future for all Massachusetts children and families.
Early Childhood Summit hosted by Strategies for Children at Mechanics Hall, Worcester, MA October 16, 2025 - Photo Credit Troy B. Thompson Photography
"The energy at the Early Childhood Summit was truly electric—a reminder that the challenges we are facing as a nation are not destroying our individual sense of purpose and care for each other,” said Diagneris “Nery” Garcia, Director of Communications at Strategies for Children. "Hope and collaboration and innovation are ingrained in who we are and all that we do."
'Worcester Really Stood Out as a Community.'
The Summit's Together in Worcester panel highlighted the cross-system change work happening in the community through the lens of the Early Childhood Agenda's five focus areas:
- Financially secure families
- High quality experiences
- Thriving early childhood workforce
- Robust system infrastructure and local partnerships
- Healthy beginnings
The panelists were:
- Leslie Baker, Program Director, Center for Childcare Careers, Family Services of Central MA, an Affiliate of Seven Hills Foundation
- Maydee Morales, Director, Resiliency Center, Worcester Community Action Council
- Jo Elle Ward, Nurse, Birth Center Developer, Worcester Community Midwifery
- Beth Vietze, Coordinator, Worcester Family Partnership
- Kim Davenport, Chief Executive Officer, Edward Street
- Marisa Fear (panel moderator), Director of Policy, Strategies for Children
The panel discussion emphasized "equity from the start," according to Dodi Swope, a Summit attendee and consultant for Together for Kids Coalition (TFKC). This was reflected in how panelists highlighted how equity begins with pregnancy while also accounting for the social determinants of health and economic empowerment as keys to a child's well-being.
Early Childhood Summit hosted by Strategies for Children at Mechanics Hall, Worcester, MA October 16, 2025 - Photo Credit Troy B. Thompson Photography
"I was simply so proud of our community. Worcester really stood out as a community with an integrated thoughtful team of early childhood champions," Dodi said. "For me, the addition of Jo Elle, from Worcester Community Midwifery and the soon to come Birthing Center, and Maydee Morales from the Resiliency Center and their economic empowerment work really showed the breadth of our vision for young children and their families."
Panelists also provided a glimpse into the future of Worcester's early childhood system.
"Kim Davenport’s grounding in all the ways we’ve been working in alignment with the Early Childhood Agenda was fabulous, as was the highlighting of Worcester Family Partnership’s family and community engagement work shared by Beth Vietze," Dodi pointed out. "Leslie Baker is a star across the state with her work to develop family childcare providers and think creatively about how to address both the needs of the families and the workforce."
Miss the Early Childhood Summit?
To learn more about the Early Childhood Summit and see the Together in Worcester panel in action, check out the agenda, recording, and photo recap of the Summit and watch reels featuring Summit highlights and reflections on Instagram and Facebook.
Early Childhood Summit hosted by Strategies for Children at Mechanics Hall, Worcester, MA October 16, 2025 - Photo Credit Troy B. Thompson Photography
Edward Street proudly supports the Early Childhood Summit and other Strategies for Children initiatives that help improve early childhood policy development and make a difference in the lives of young children.
Read our blog and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn for updates about early childhood initiatives in Massachusetts.