Early Learning Efforts in White Center and East Yakima Show Progress in Preparing Children for Kindergarten

Added Helen Marieskind, executive director for Ready by Five in East Yakima: “Our community is excited to be a part of an early learning initiative that creates opportunities for the children of East Yakima to achieve school readiness and life success. We also know that our work has the potential to shape early learning efforts across the state and nation. We’re looking forward to continuing our services for the second year and our Board and Staff greatly appreciate the support from both the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Thrive by Five Washington.”

In 2006, White Center, located south of Seattle, and East Yakima were chosen to be the two Thrive Demonstration Communities because of their strong local leadership, diverse populations, size and community commitment to improving early learning.

Thrive by Five Washington
Thrive by Five Washington, created in 2006 as the state’s public-private partnership for early learning, brings together public and private partners to advance the development and learning of children ages birth to five, so that all children in Washington state are ready to succeed in school and thrive in life.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Jeff Raikes and Co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.