Please find Liftoff’s February Network News. This month we are celebrating the release of our new report, created in collaboration with The Children’s Agenda on child care in rural Western New York. Additionally, we share our advocacy day wins and information on this years Week of the Young Child events.

Child care has received increased attention across New York State, yet the realities facing rural communities remain largely overlooked. Persistent challenges in access, workforce stability, and funding equity continue to affect workforce participation, family stability, and long-term economic health. Please find our report created in partnership with The Children’s Agenda below.

January 2025: Liftoff kicked off the year strong with the launch of our volunteer advocacy program, Onboard. Onboard is a flexible, inclusive pathway to early childhood advocacy that invites multi-sector partners to use their voice on behalf of young children. Learn more here. February 2025:  On February 11th, Liftoff WNY along with a bus full of […]

Please find Liftoff’s October Network News. This month we are celebrating some events we had in September including our “Strong Foundations” event, which discussed the connection between safe, stable housing and healthy child development. Additionally, we shared key takeaways from our “Building the Future” convening in which we gathered 60 early childhood professionals to discuss […]

Please find Liftoff’s August Network News. This edition has multiple opportunities to attend Liftoff for in-person learning events, join Onboard for other advocacy initiatives as well as, includes information about Interfaith Weekend this October.

Please find Liftoff’s April Network News. This month we celebrated some wins including a feature in The Buffalo News, as well as a member of the Liftoff team giving remarks at the kickoff press conference for the Week of the Young Child. We shared an aligned action update, as well as an Onboard member highlight.

“It’s devastating to children, it’s devastating to their families, and it’s devastating to the community, because the early years are filled with so much promise and so much potential, and that’s the best time to have these interventions happen, because we know brain development happens 90% before you get to kindergarten,” Liftoff WNY Director, Rachel […]

On Monday, April 7th Liftoff WNY joined with some of our partners at the Audubon Branch Amherst Public Library for the kickoff for the 2025 Week of the Young Child. The press conference featured Mark Poloncarz (Erie County Executive), Lisa Chimera (Deputy County Executive), Chelsea Lonberger (Youth Outreach Service Manager, Buffalo & Erie County Public […]