FOCUS on Education

Early Childhood Education

Within the scope of Higher Ground's work in early childhood education initiatives, Higher Ground works primarily with the Crispus Attuck's Children Center (CACC). Higher Ground continues to collaborate with CACC to assist with fundraising and organizational development and substantially increase enrollment closer to capacity as the largest single-site provider of infant-toddler care in the city of Boston.

Over the past ten years, Higher Ground engaged in the following areas of work with CACC:

Supported CACC in a major recapitalization plan including an application for a $1 million grant from the Mass. Early Education and Out of School Time (EEOST) Fund that will enable the Center to implement a substantial physical improvement of CACC’s facilities during 2018-2019 with work on the HVAC upgrade in progress.
Re-launched Parenting Circles in collaboration with Families First Parenting Programs and CACC.
Connected the Boston Architectural Center (BAC) Gateway Team to CACC that then completed an assessment of the Center’s facilities and recommended improvements to make the facilities more welcoming and supportive of a learning environment.
Secured $3.67 million to renovate CACC physical plant and increase the safety and comfort of the campus. Governor Baker visited the Center in August 2018 to announce a grant of $1 million for CACC.
Assisted CACC in becoming an official Boston Universal Pre-Kindergarten Site serving up to 45 children beginning with the 2019-2020 School Year.