THE CLAYTON AUTUMN UPDATE

I believe Clayton is in the hopes and dreams business. Through an exceptional start, we build the foundation for a child’s long-term potential while empowering families to achieve their own individual hopes and dreams.

I was recently reminded how empowering families really makes a difference. I received an email from a former parent who was applying for her doctorate and asked for a reference. As a leader in our policy council and as a parent Ambassador, she is a role model in Clayton’s ability to help develop parents as leaders for our community. Most impressive to me is that she is applying to a doctorate program not to earn more money, but to advocate for improving our criminal justice and behavioral support systems. That’s a dream worth supporting, and Clayton is proud to have helped to amplify her voice.

Yet, too often that start is overlooked. Recently, I attended a pro-business summit where the keynote panelist argued that the K-12 system is vital to the economy and that everything starts with kindergarten. I was disappointed, as this antiquated line of thinking must change. Everything starts at birth – not at age 5. Nearly 90% of brain development is completed by age five. Children who attend preschool have better high school graduation rates, higher percentages of college admission, and are five times less likely to be part of the public safety system. The hopes and dreams our families have for their children start at birth, and we must change the narrative that learning begins in kindergarten. The first five years are the most valuable years for a child's brain and social development. High-quality early childhood education should be considered a fundamental element in protecting our longer- term economic competitiveness as a country.

Clayton has our own hopes and dreams for our community through the transformation of our campus. We are delighted to now have both Girls Inc. and ColoREADo operating out of Clayton buildings. We are building a platform for economic mobility, and it’s exciting to see our dreams come true with such great partners. Within the month, we will complete the first stage of installing an elevator in our community center to better serve families and partners by making this historic building fully accessible for the first time in its 115-year history.

You can help us continue to make dreams come true. Please join us for Clayton After Dark on October 30^th! It’s going to be a blast – ghost tours, seasonal beverages, light snacks –all to support a great cause. Tickets are going fast and are on sale: here

Finally, as always, thank you all for continuing to support Clayton. You provide the fuel that transforms hopes and dreams into reality, and we are so very grateful for your continued support.

Ever forward -

William Browning 

President and CEO