Our Causes

National Even Start Association

Even Start Family Literacy Programs are school-community partnerships that help break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy by integrating early childhood education, adult literacy or adult basic education, and parenting education into a unified family literacy program.

As CEO Sue Henry explains: "If we are to ever close the gap between children who live in poverty, whose parents have low literacy, we must implement an education model that begins at birth and that supports parents to assist their children in their language and literacy development." Even Start provides such a model.

In fiscal year 2006, President Bush cut funding for Even Start by over 50 percent. In his budget proposal for 2007, Bush has eliminated funding altogether -- a decision with terrible consequences for the at-risk families whose lives are immeasurably improved by Even Start programs. This is a critical time for concerned citizens to take a stand and sustain this outstanding organization.

Visit the National Even Start Association website »

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