A dedicated single mom comes to Clayton every day with her beautiful 2-year-old daughter. She’s looking hard for her next job, trying to find the means to get her GED, and makes the hour bus ride over and back to get her daughter to school on time. She feels like she is doing her best, but it’s still not enough. She struggles, and we are trying to understand how to better meet her educational and job support needs. 

Another child just turned three and was preparing to make the significant transition to preschool from our infant toddler program. It was a milestone worthy of celebration, but her mother was shot and killed on the same day. This child was already reeling from the loss of her father who was also the victim of a homicide just a few months ago. I worry in the middle of the night about her chances in life with such a hard start, but I know our staff are rallying around her with love and compassion.  

Another caregiver — a grandfather, travels 90 minutes to Clayton each way by bus to get his two granddaughters to school every day. They are now in his full-time custody, and he sold his house and moved further away to take care of them. He never complains and is very proud to be there for his granddaughters. He’s become my daily advisor as he has great ideas and insights into the school. His story illustrates the importance of access to affordable housing, which we are now considering for our campus. Imagine if he just had to walk a block for his children? 

The families of nearly 500 children served by Clayton each year have their own unique and personal stories demonstrating hardships and resilience.  They paint a complex story about our community and the work Clayton strives to do every day and the work we must do better. 

For me personally, there is nothing better than seeing the love and support our staff demonstrate for children and families. That’s why we have spent the past six months listening to our families, assessing data, and challenging ourselves with how we do this work to better meet the needs of the community.  

We are proud of our work this year and have summarized the past year in our annual Community Report. The road ahead is based upon two integrated strategies focused on improving how we deliver an exceptional educational experience while doubling down on a place-based approach that brings in high-quality partnerships to deliver game-changing services for our families. 

While we are doing the work and dreaming of a better future, instability and significant reductions in public sector funding are already negatively impacting our services.  We have adaptive strategies to manage through these challenges, but community support to help us continue to deliver for our children and families is more essential than ever before.  

As part of that support, please save the date for our Annual Clayton Gala, which will be held on the evening of October 23rd.   

During these times of instability and uncertainty, I look toward our children, who show up every morning and embrace the day with curiosity, joy, and wonder.  I am grateful for them as they are the calming waters in a disruptive world.  

I invite you to experience this first-hand by visiting our campus through one of our monthly tours to immerse yourself in our work and learn about our exciting vision.  I hope to see you here soon.   

Ever Forward, 

William Browning 

President and CEO