Just for grown-ups, this event brings our community together to reflect on five decades of serving Oklahoma’s youngest learners.
Vibrant and colorful: Early childhood education brings to mind joyful classrooms with happy toddlers eager to discover the world around them. At Rainbow Fleet Resource & Referral, we are proud of the many ways child care providers, parents and other adults find the help they need through our services. It is a rich history of service in our community that dates back to March 1972.
As we look to our 50th anniversary at Rainbow Fleet this month, we reflect on the many ways our work has weathered storms, from helping those struggling with child care needs to growing our staff and working in partnership to face the pandemic together. Rainbows have a way of shining a light on progress, with better days ahead. The wonder we often see in young children’s eyes finds a home at our building and beyond, a sparkle of hope for the future reflected back through caring early childhood experiences.
An enduring rainbow — impacting generations of Oklahomans
When Montessori teacher Dr. Margaret Loeffler took the lead in making strides towards equitable access to early childhood resources in Oklahoma City, she made an impact on generations to come. Rainbow Fleet grew out of Loeffler’s belief that the very best early childhood teaching methods could be shared by providing child care professionals with resources and materials to support appropriate learning environments for young children. This concept, in conjunction with the modeling and mentoring from early childhood specialists, provided a support component that still informs our mission today.
Dr. Loeffler’s idea was to fill a mobile education unit with learning materials, toys, art projects and books. The key to quality service would be to staff the mobile libraries with trained early childhood professionals. By taking the resources directly into child care and early education programs, Rainbow Fleet could reach large numbers of children, families and caregivers.
While the methodology changed with time, and the programs and projects adapted based on needs assessments and priorities, the mission remained the same: We provide innovative child development programs and services that enhance the quality of life for residents in Oklahoma and Cleveland Counties.
In support of our mission, we added the Rainbow Fleet Early Education Center last year as our own solution to help solve the child care crisis. The center provides an optimal learning environment for children ages 6 weeks to 4 years and is open Monday through Friday. Expanding to the former Horace Mann Elementary School in Crown Heights also allowed us to provide afterschool care for more than 30 students, a program made possible by the Chickasaw Nation. Our Resource Center offers expert-approved toys, books and games so parents and caregivers can add variety to their daily routines with age-appropriate items. Helping parents and guardians find child care through referrals by key criteria like cost and zip code ensures workable solutions.
When the pandemic disrupted services, our staff continued going to work for local families. We coordinated the distribution of hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies for child care providers so they could keep their doors open, which allowed doctors, nurses and other essential workers to show up for Oklahomans. Supporting those who make work possible is part of our job.
Roy G. Biv Ball: Fundraiser ensures services continue for the next generation
Just as the community has counted on Rainbow Fleet for the past five decades, we have counted on the community. As a non-profit organization, our services are made possible through grants and the generosity of private donors. Thank you for your support.
We are excited to announce the first-ever Roy G. Biv Ball, a fun evening for adults to step out in celebration of our 50th anniversary and the children served throughout the past five decades. Please join us as we celebrate our history and raise funds so that we can continue our legacy of accessible early childhood education. The inaugural theme incorporates vivid colors characteristic of those critical years of learning and playing.
Fundraiser event
What: Roy G. Biv Ball
When: Sept. 12, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Jones Assembly
901 W. Sheridan Ave.
Oklahoma City
Celebrate our 50th anniversary with a fun-filled evening in support of Oklahoma’s youngest learners. Bid in our live and silent auctions.
If you cannot attend but would like to make a donation, please donate online today.
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