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Community,
Thanks to the generous support of Elgin Township, Hanover Township, School District U-46, the Seigle Foundation, United Way Metro Chicago, the Kane County Health Department, and other community supporters, EPEL is proud to launch the eleventh year of Learning On the Go, bringing free early learning opportunities directly into neighborhoods across the Greater Elgin Area.
Learning On the Go is designed to engage, inform, equip, and support families by increasing awareness of and access to resources, services, and opportunities that help young children and families thrive. This summer, families can connect with us at four neighborhood sites—three in Elgin and one in Streamwood—as well as through community pop-up events. We are one week in and we served 175 children and 99 parent/caregivers. YOWZA!!
Through partnerships with organizations including Gail Borden Public Library, Poplar Creek Public Library, The Salvation Army, Birth to Five Illinois, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, the Elgin and Streamwood Police Departments, School District U-46, YWCA Elgin, Elgin Parks & Recreation, Northern Illinois Food Bank, and many others, families can access valuable programs, services, and community resources.
Learning On the Go sessions features songs, interactive activities, early learning tips, parent education, and practical ways families can use The Basics Principles to support healthy brain development through everyday moments. Families can sign up for library cards, check out books from the bookmobiles, connect with community resources, learn about ESL services, and enroll young children in birth-to-five programs.
With support from our funders and donors, families receive children's activity bags, parent learning toolkits (see the sneak peek below), new children's books each week, diapers, and other resources that encourage learning and positive parent-child interactions at home. Families are also enrolled in Basics Insights text messages for ongoing encouragement, tips, and learning opportunities.
Learning On the Go recognizes that healthy development depends on both learning opportunities and access to nutritious food. Through partnerships with Northern Illinois Food Bank, Elgin Parks & Recreation, and Poplar Creek Public Library, children can access free summer lunches and families can connect to food resources. EPEL also helps host five mobile food pantries at neighborhood sites throughout the summer, helping families "Feed Their Minds and Feed Their Bodies"—both essential for healthy growth and brain development.
Each session concludes with a parent-child learning activity that allows families to practice what they have learned together and continue the learning at home.
As we begin our eleventh summer, we remain committed to strengthening families, building connections, and ensuring every child has opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed. We invite you—and the families you serve—to join us in the park to sing, play, learn, connect with neighbors, and experience the JOY of supporting children's growth through everyday moments.
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