From Surviving to Thriving: A Story of Community and Support
Debra Rice understands the importance of a strong support system more than most. Years ago, as a young mother far from her family and facing a domestic violence situation, she found herself in a profoundly vulnerable position. “I had no one,” Debra recalls.
Determined to forge a path to safety for herself and her daughter, Debra bravely sought work, securing a job waitressing at a bar while pregnant with her second child. With no other options, she entrusted her daughter’s care to a compassionate neighbor, who quickly became a valued Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregiver. Soon after her son was born, Debra made the courageous decision to leave, navigating across the country to secure a safe haven for herself and her children.
The journey as a single mother was challenging, and high quality child care remained a constant need. Debra relied heavily on her local community of early learning programs, which provided the crucial support and resources that helped her family thrive.
Today, with her children grown, Debra remains a dedicated advocate for the power of community coming together to support young families. She demonstrates this unwavering commitment through her generous donations to Denver’s Early Childhood Council. Debra provides contributions throughout the year, helping to ensure classrooms have the materials they need and educators have ongoing training and support to nurture young minds.
Debra’s story stands as a testament to the life-changing impact of community support, proving that with a helping hand, families can not only survive but truly flourish.
We don’t do this work alone. We get help from champions like Debra, who understand how critical the need is for parents – no matter their circumstances – to know that their children have access to safe, stable, and nurturing learning environments in their most formative years. We invite you to join Debra this giving season, and invest in children and families with a gift to Denver’s Early Childhood Council.
Visit our Colorado Gives Day profile to make your donation and learn more about how our programs support educators, children, families, and our community as a whole.
With gratitude,
All of us at Denver’s Early Childhood Council