17 Nov 2014

Holiday Food Drive

By Liz Strader

We Need Your Help!

No one in the Quad Cities should go without food. This holiday season, Skip-a-Long Family and Community Services is looking for donations of food items to support our families and individuals in need.

We are asking for your help by donating these items from Monday, November 24th through Friday, December 19th at any of these locations:

Davenport Campus
3520 Crow Creek Road
Davenport, IA 52807

Moline Campus
4800 60th Street
Moline, IL 61265

Rock Island Campus
1609 4th Street
Rock Island, IL 61201

Open Door
1609 4th Street
Building II
Rock Island, IL 61201

Top Needed Items
1. Canned Meals (Chili, Stew, Ravioli, Soups)
2. Canned Meats (Chicken, Corn Beef, Spam, Tuna)
3. Pasta (Macaroni, Spaghetti, Hamburger Helpers)

Thank you for your help!

For more information, contact our Open Door Director, Loredia Dixon, at (309) 793-8201

24 Jul 2014

MOLINE SKIP-A-LONG IS EXPANDING!

By Liz Strader

Recognizing a growing need in our community, Skip-a-Long Child Development Services has made an investment in our children and will be expanding our Moline child care center to include two additional classrooms!

Why is the center adding more classrooms?

These two classrooms will serve 31 children, ages 18 months to 35 months (two + years) old. The Moline Skip-a-Long child care center has noticed a significant increase in the need for care of this age group, and has made this investment as part of the program's mission to make sure ALL children in the Quad Cities area are well-cared for early on and prepared for school. Skip-a-Long will be breaking ground on this project next week and plans to open the additional classrooms to families currently on our waiting list as early as October of 2014!

What does this expansion mean for our community?

Due to the importance and urgency of this need, Skip-a-Long is investing funds to support the center's expansion. This expansion will create additional jobs, allowing more of our community members to work full-time in the field of early care and education. This expansion also means that more families in our community will have access to a high-quality child care center. More children will have stability and consistency of care, and will learn and grow in an early education environment that will prepare them for success in school and in life!

Please join us for a ground-breaking ceremony where we will celebrate this expansion and discuss more details of the center's plans over the next year. Opportunities for photos of our center's children helping to start the construction will be available. Our Chief Executive Officer - Marcy Mendenhall, our Communications Manager - Liz Strader, and management staff will be available for comments.

WHAT: Ground-breaking ceremony for Moline Skip-a-Long expansion!

WHERE: Skip-a-Long Child Development Services - 4800 60th St., Moline, IL

WHEN: Monday, July 28th, 10:00am

31 Mar 2014

Hygiene Drive to Benefit Open Door Crisis Assistance Program

By Liz Strader

Open Door, a nonprofit program managed by Skip-a-Long Family and Community Services, focuses on helping individuals and families in Rock Island, Henry, and Mercer County who are in immediate need due to crisis.  The program offers an on-site food pantry and clothing, but also works directly with local social service agencies to connect those in crisis with the services that can help give them a "hand up," not a handout.  Whether it be a young mother who has recently left an abusive relationship, a man who is homeless after losing his job, or a family who is in need of transportation to school and work after a car accident, Open Door strives to be a one-stop program to get what is needed or to contact an agency that can meet the need of those in crisis.

Oftentimes, we forget that a family may have to choose between a loaf of bread and infant bath soap, or between a monthly medication and shampoo and toothpaste.  Hygiene products can be expensive, but are important not only to the cleanliness of an individual but also to his or her self-esteem and self-worth.  Imagine a middle-schooler walking into his classroom, not having had a shower in several days.  The reactions by his classmates alone are a blow to the young child's confidence, and, experienced frequently, could lead the child to avoid and even dread going to school.  Simply having the products necessary to be clean can make a world of difference to a person, and that is where we are calling on the community to help!

Open Door will be hosting a hygiene drive at two locations in Rock Island, and we invite everyone to take a few minutes to purchase one or two items so we may give them directly to individuals and families who would otherwise go without.  Visit us at one of the locations listed below and make a positive impact on someone's life!  For more details on the Open Door program, please visit www.salfcs.org/riopendoor

Hygiene Drives:

WHEN:  Saturday, Apr. 12th, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm

WHERE: Walgreens - 3100 - 11th St., Rock Island, IL and Walgreens - 2955 - 18th Ave, Rock Island, IL

WHAT IS NEEDED:  Shampoo, body soap, washcloths or puffs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, men's and/or women's razors, shaving cream, baby shampoo, infant and toddler toothpaste and toothbrushes, etc.
05 Aug 2013

Skip-a-Long Child Development Services to Celebrate 10 Years of Quality Care!

By Liz Strader

Skip-a-Long Child Development Services, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable care to all children in the Quad Cities, will celebrate a milestone this week.

Our Trinity School of Nursing location will celebrate ten years of providing Nationally Accredited, Quality Rated child care to the children of the community. It will be a bittersweet celebration, however, since the hospital will be expanding its Health Education program and announced in March of 2013 that it would close the center by August 31.

We invite all members of the community, especially past and current families of the Trinity Skip-a-Long location, to join us for food, fun, and games - it will be a farewell to remember!

WHAT: Skip-a-Long Trinity Campus' Tenth Birthday/Farewell Party

WHERE: Skip-a-Long Child Development Services, 2122 25th Ave., Rock Island, IL

WHEN: Friday, August 9, from 3:00pm to 6:00pm

08 May 2012

Illinois Association for the Education of Young Children recognized nine outstanding community leaders as 2012 Children's Champions!

By Liz Strader
On May 1st, Illinois AEYC recognized twelve outstanding early childhood leaders from around the state
through a special proclamation in the Illinois General Assembly and a dessert reception in their honor.

The mission of Illinois AEYC is to facilitate the optimal development of young children by advocating for the
rights, needs, and well-being of young children; and educating, supporting, and collaborating with
individuals and organizations working in direct or indirect service to young children. To accomplish this
mission, the organization depends on the hard work of its members. Among them are dedicated leaders
whose hard work has made their local affiliate stronger and the lives of children in their communities better.

Illinois AEYC values the impact these exemplary volunteers have made as early childhood professionals.
Each stands out for their contribution to their communities, to the early childhood field, their local AEYC
affiliates, and to Illinois AEYC. The twelve represent a wide range of professional positions; many have
worked in the field for more than 25 years; some continue to volunteer after retiring. Illinois AEYC gratefully
acknowledges these contributions.

The twelve 2012 Children's Champions and the affiliate chapter they represent are:

LORI LONGUEVILLE - Illinois AEYC
JENNIFER BROSNAHAN - Joliet Area AEYC
ANGIE COX - Southern Illinois AEYC
ANNETTE HERBERT - South Suburban AEYC
LEON DENTON - Chicago Metropolitan AEYC
PEGGY PATTEN - East Central AEYC
LAURIE WALKER - Quad Cities AEYC
TAMMY HALTER - McLean County AEYC
BRENDA SMITH- Heart of Illinois AEYC
PAM GIERMANN- DuPage AEYC
CATHY ARMSTRONG- Capitol Area AEYC
CATHERINE (CASS) WOLFE - Golden Corridor AEYC (GOAEYC)

An Award Ceremony and Reception was held in their honor on May 1, 2012, at the Governor's Mansion,
401 E. Jackson St., Springfield, Illinois, 62701. The twelve 2012 Children's Champions and their guests,
AEYC members from across the state, and Illinois Legislators were invited to the dessert reception where
each 2012 Children's Champion was recognized for their achievements.

Everyone gathered at the Capitol for a special proclamation in both chambers and then proceeded to the
Governor's Mansion. The 2012 Children's Champions represent shining examples of those in our
communities doing good things for children, which led them to be nominated by their state/local affiliate

chapters and designated by the Illinois Association for the Education of Young Children as Illinois 2012
Children's Champions.

Quad Cities AEYC Nominee - LAURIE WALKER

Laurie Walker has always been a Children's Champion! If she has not found a way to speak out for
children, we are sure she is in the process of discovering it! Laurie has no problem being the voice for
Children, Families, and Early Childhood Providers. She sits on various boards and meets with individuals
all across the State of Illinois in order to make sure that the voice of young children do not go unheard.
Laurie is a member of the IL Action for Children Board of Directors and past Board Chair, the IL Governor's
Early Learning Council Oversight and Coordination Committee, the IL State Board of Education
Kindergarten Readiness Assessment Stakeholder Committee, the IL Department of Human Services
(IDHS) Child Care and Development Advisory Council and co-chairs the Quality Committee, the Bi State
Leadership Committee, and the United Way Women's Leadership Council Steering Committee. She was
formerly Chair of the United Way Agency Director Association, Chair of the IL Department of Human
Services Statewide Advisory Council, and co-Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, and a member of
the IDHS Tiered Reimbursements Committee, the IDHS contract Deliverables Committee, and the IDHS
Great Start Committee. Laurie, truly, has a passion and commitment to children and excellence and her
dedication to this field is what Early Childhood is all about.
03 Oct 2011

Skip-a-Long to Hold Bass Street Fundraiser!

By Liz Strader
Skip-a-Long Child Development Services to Hold "Chop House Challenge!" Fundraiser

Skip-a-Long Child Development Services, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing high-quality, accessible care to all children regardless of financial means (since 1970) will be hosting a fundraising event on October 17, 2011.

The Chop House Challenge will take place at Bass Street Chop House in downtown Moline from 6pm - 10pm, and supporting your local non-profit has never been so delicious! Anyone can participate; all you need to do is bring your appetite.

The public is invited to simply make a reservation at the restaurant for the evening of Oct. 17th, and let the restaurant know you are coming to support Skip-a-Long Child Development Services. Then come to the restaurant that evening and eat out as you would for any other night on the town, and Bass Street Chop House will automatically donate 10% of the ENTIRE evening's profits to Skip-a-Long!

Enjoy one of Bass Street's signature Delmonico steaks, sip a glass of wine, and support quality child care in the Quad Cities all in one night!

A little Extra Incentive:

Bass Street Chop House has generously agreed to donate a $50 gift card to the restaurant as well, and one lucky winner will be chosen from those names that make a reservation for our event by Friday, October 14th! You must be present the night of the event to win, but $50 of your meal could be on the house so be sure to make your reservations today!

WHAT: Chop House Challenge fundraiser to benefit Skip-a-Long's parent scholarships, shared campus Nurse, and Virgie Wells alumni scholarship

WHERE: The Bass Street Chop House, downtown Moline, IL

TIME: The restaurant will be open from 6pm - 10pm, Monday, October 17th, 2011

QUESTIONS: Please contact our Communications Coordinator, Liz Strader, at

lstrader@salfcs.org or (309)764-8110 for more information!

27 Jun 2011

Skip-a-Long Child Development Services Moline Campus to Host Tree Dedication

By Liz Strader

Skip-a-Long Child Development Services, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing high-quality, accessible care to all children, regardless of financial means, will be hosting a tree dedication ceremony Wednesday, June 29, 2011.


A tree will be planted in memory of Aina Swanson, A Skip-a-Long parent and volunteer board member.  Both of her children attended Skip-a-Long for a number of years and her son, Chris, returned to Skip-a-Long as a teacher for school-age children after receiving his B.A.  Chris unexpectedly passed away at the age of 32 just four years ago, and Aina passed away this last year.


One of Skip-a-Long's most involved friends and a former employee, Ms. Sandy Perry, has also purchased a tree to be planted for her appreciation for all the child care centers have done in the past 41 years to educate, inspire, and enhance the lives of the young children of the Quad Cities.


130 school-age children will help us celebrate on this day, and there will be a t-shirt tye-dying activity, games, and a cookout lunch for the children to enjoy, so it will be an excellent photo opportunity to showcase both the community support Skip-a-Long has as well as the fun summertime activities our children participate in while attending our nationally accredited center!


WHAT:  Tree planting and dedication for long-time supporters of Skip-a-Long's mission


WHERE:  Skip-a-Long's Moline Campus, 4800 60th St., Moline, IL  (309)764-8110


TIME:  Activities in the morning for the kids, tree dedication begins at 12:30pm


QUESTIONS:  Please contact Liz Strader at lizs@skip-a-long.com or (309)764-8110 for more information!

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