Quality child care is critical in the development of local economic development. Investments in quality child care programs that support parents, promote the health and safety of children and improve access to high-quality child care help everyone, including businesses.

Staff from homeless shelters and advocates for the homeless spent much of yesterday canvassing the metropolitan area for a “point in time” study to get a count on the region’s homeless population, and to learn more details about their needs and challenges.

We are seeking presenters for the 2008 Stepping Stones Research Briefing to be held the morning of Friday, May 16, 2008 at The Urban Institute in Washington, D.C.

We’ve talked in the past about the sometimes daunting feeling, particularly in our own individual giving, of feeling powerless to really affect much change in light of so many huge problems. 

Without Oprah’s millions, we think, who are we to really think we could make an impact? 

Last week, Washington Area Women’s Foundation and several of our Grantee Partners testified at an incredible DC City Council Roundtable Hearing called “Poverty Issues: Developing a Public/Private Strategy Aimed at Eliminating Poverty Among District Residents.”

Bummed that the writer’s strike meant no Golden Globes this year?  Miss the glitz and glamor of the red carpet?

Well, we may not have glitz and glamor, but we do have an awards process for you!  And this time, you’re invited to be part of the academy…the academy of social change!

The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports today in its article, "Giving where it counts: survey studies women philanthropists," that The Falconer Group has just released the results of a national survey on women’s philanthropy. 

The findings? 

As part of our ongoing commitment–in partnership with The Urban Institute–to providing information and resources related to the goals of Stepping Stones, please find below summary of recent research on issues of economic security and financial independence for women and their families.

How great it is to ring in 2008 at The Women’s Foundation!  I am thrilled to be here, and very much appreciate the warm, positive welcome I’ve received from everyone!  I can already tell that we’re in for a great year—and beyond!

Today, the Urban Institute posted more of the answer in their report, The Balance Sheets of Low-Income Households: What We Know About Their Assets and Liabilities.

The report explores the balance sheets of low-income households, and evaluates their assets and debts–a critical piece in building true economic security.  Often, people consider income as a sign of economic security, but income is just money that flows into a household and then right back out.