SPARK Aurora Early Childhood Collaboration, an education initiative of Fox Valley United Way, is hosting a free Resource Fair for parents and children from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 16, at Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora

This event is Aurora’s opportunity to honor young children, and those who make a difference in children’s lives.  The fair culminates the national celebration of the Week of the Young Child™, which takes place from April 10 to April 16, 2016.

SPARK (Strong, Prepared and Ready for Kindergarten) and partners, including the YWCA Child Care Resource & Referral, Fox Valley Park District, Aurora Public Library, All Our Kids Network, Two Rivers Head Start Agency, DuPage Children’s Museum, Kane County Health Department, Waubonsee Community College and DayOneNetwork, have come together to offer this event to the community.

Entertainment and activities will be provided for children, as well as opportunities for parents, grandparents and caregivers to learn about resources available to support them in efforts to help their children thrive in school.

“Through the work of SPARK and its partners, Aurora is afforded a great opportunity to prepare every preschooler for success in school and life,” said Trish Rooney, Director of SPARK Aurora Early Childhood Collaboration. “Week of the Young Child is a time for Aurora to recognize that Early Years are Learning Years® for all its young citizens.”

Week of the Young Child™, sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), gives early childhood programs across the country — including child care and Head Start programs, preschools, and elementary schools — a platform for activities that bring awareness to the needs of young children.

Each year, this special week recognizes the importance of early learning and early literacy, and celebrates the teachers and policies that bring early childhood education to young children.

For more information about this event, visit www.sparkaurora.org or call (630) 896-4636.

SOURCE: Fox Valley United Way news release

About SPARK

SPARK (Strong, Prepared and Ready for Kindergarten) is an education initiative of Fox Valley United Way, in collaboration with the City of Aurora and school districts 129 (West Aurora), 131 (East Aurora), 204 (Indian Prairie) and 308 (Community Unit) with long standing support from The Dunham Fund and the Gustafson Family Foundation.  Launched in 2012, the mission of SPARK Aurora Early Childhood Collaboration is to empower our diverse families and children to attain full success in learning and life by ensuring all Aurora’s young children have equal access to exemplary Early Childhood Care and Education.  Decades of research prove that children adequately prepared for kindergarten have a greater chance of succeeding in school and in life.

About Fox Valley United Way

Founded in 1922, Fox Valley United Way (FVUW) brings together donors, volunteers and advocates to support a wide range of social service agencies, helping to meet the most critical needs within Kane and Kendall counties. It also initiates innovative programs like SPARK and VolunteerFoxValley.org.  FVUW currently serves 15 communities including Aurora, Big Rock, Bristol, Hinckley, Little Rock, Millbrook, Montgomery, Mooseheart, North Aurora, Oswego, Plano, Plattville, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Yorkville.