Northern Nevada businesses are making a daily impact on education in their community. Many Washoe County students have new computers and books, business and parent volunteers in their classrooms, and improved literacy and math curriculums. Their teachers are recycling binders and old letterhead, re-purposing office furniture and sparking children’s imaginations with leftover craft supplies. These accomplishments are quietly directed by the efforts of the Education Collaborative of Washoe County (EC).
The Education Collaborative is a non-profit organization with kindergarten-through-college programs that focus on academic achievement, community partnerships and workforce development, providing a link between the community and the schools.
“Our organization serves as a mechanism to engage support for education from the business community as well as from service and community organizations,” said Denise Hedrick, executive director of EC. “Academic achievement and excellence for all students is a difficult task, especially in today’s environment of high-stakes testing, reduced budgets and economic uncertainty. EC provides a way for the community to take ownership in education and create real results in policy, resources and academic achievement.”
EC-supported programs provide businesses a variety of opportunities to connect with the educational community, including: volunteering time, partnering with a school, addressing workforce development issues, donating to the “teachers warehouse,” creating tools and opportunities for parent involvement, advocating for better education, and much more.
“There is a place for everyone to be involved,” added Denny Martindale, past-president of the EC board. “All the EC programs are designed for businesses and the community to work side-by-side with the educational community, at all levels.”
The Education Collaborative returns approximately $6 in financial and material resources for every dollar invested in the organization. In 2004, the EC was responsible for more than $1.7 million in allocated resources, including $626,000 through the Crayons to Computers Warehouse, $568,000 in funds and donations made through the Partners in Education program, and $319,000 raised by grant proposals and other donations. The economic impact on the education community is enormous and often goes unseen.
“It is our goal to provide all students in Washoe County with access to a seamless education system, preparing them for life-long learning, civic responsibility and success in their chosen careers,” said Ginny Jackson, president of the EC board. “While the goal is lofty, we depend heavily and must give credit to our business and community partners, who always come through.”
That credit will be bestowed this year through the EC’s first annual “EC Awards” on February 24, playing off an Academy Awards theme. The organization will honor businesses and citizens for “Best Advocate in a Leading Role,” “Best Business Partner in a Leading Role,” “Best Warehouse Effects” and “Best K-16 Direction,” to name a few. The EC has raised separate sponsorship dollars for this event.
Running lean, maximizing volunteer time and energy and most importantly, knowing the critical needs of the education community keep the full-time EC staff of six very busy. “We are constantly talking with our business community, delegating new resources and working with education teams to make sure these precious dollars are well-spent,” said Hedrick. “It’s critical that we continue to raise the bar and make a difference in our schools and the future of our community.”
Education Collaborative of Washoe County
380 Edison Way, Reno NV 89502
775-353-5533
www.e-collaborative.org