August 21, 2008 – The Muttart Foundation of Edmonton this morning presented a cheque in the amount of $225,000 to the Regina ELC's Small Hands ~ Big Dreams capital campaign.  

The Centre launched its capital campaign in April to purchase, renovate and enhance the building that houses its programs at 2115 Athol St. in Regina.

Since the early nineties the Muttart Foundation has supported the ELC in its capital and program needs. For example, the Foundation funded a review of the ELC preschool in the early nineties. The ensuing report revealed a well kept secret: that here in Regina a high quality preschool is making a huge difference in the lives of inner-city children and their families.  

The Foundation also helped the ELC develop and implement a parenting program "Play and Learn" which focuses on developing a positive relationship between parent and child through shared activities. It also provided interim funding for the Centre's Parents as Teachers (PAT) program which aims to support parents in their critical role of first teacher of their children. This program is now funded by the United Way.

In 1997, the Foundation awarded Executive Director Anne Luke a sabbatical year to take time to reflect and rejuvenate. During the sabbatical, Ms Luke studied early childhood programs in Finland and England.

Today's donation of $225,000 means that the Foundation has invested over $600,000 in the Early Learning Centre since the early nineties.