Lauren Monica | Anson Record
WADESBORO — To celebrate the declaration of Smart Start Month, Anson County Partnership for Children kicked off the celebration with a Ribbon Cutting and Open House Thursday.
Executive Director Elizabeth Rizzo started her position on April 1. “I am very excited.. This is my first function as the new Executive Director and I am really excited to meet community members I haven’t met yet,”
She said,
According to smartstart.org, Smart Start was created in 1993 as an innovative solution to a problem: Children were coming to school unprepared to learn. Policymakers recognized that progress would require tapping into the same innovative spirit that inspired private sector advances, and therefore, established Smart Start as a public/private partnership. Independent, private organizations work in all 100 North Carolina counties through The North Carolina Partnership for Children and 75 Local Partnerships.
Anson County Partnership for Children was officially chartered in 1996. The community and programs may have evolved, but the mission has always been “Helping make Anson County a better place to be a child and to raise a child.” ACPC currently funds and offers several beneficial programs for our youngest learners including- Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Diaper Bank, Safe Kids-Anson, North Caroline Pre-K, Raising A Reader, Book Vending Machine at the Anson Health Department, Little Free Libraries, Starting Strong, Positive Parenting Program and more.
Almost two years ago, the Anson County Partnership for Children’s (ACPC) Early Childhood Resource Center (ECRC) moved locations. In the new space located at 115 E Morgan St, the community has benefited from a larger and more accommodating space. As the programs we offer continue to grow based on community assessment, ACPC needed a location that could grow with us. The ECRC is a gathering place for the community. Children, families, early childhood educators and community members know they can come see an ACPC team member and get assistance. If we can’t help them, we will try to refer them to someone who can.
The Anson County Partnership for Children has many exciting upcoming events planned, such as on September 21st, Anson County Partnership for Children and Montgomery County Partnership for Children are co-hosting a “Pickle Me A Reader” Pickleball Tournament and Smart Start Month Celebration to raise funds for literacy and family support programs. From 8 a.m. at Stanback Park at 217 Allenton Rd in Mt. Gilead, the community is invited to cheer on players, visit the food trucks, meet author Dr. Amy Jarman Horne and buy a copy of “Runaway Turkeyette” and several children’s activities such as a bubble station, block play and balloon art. Split the Pot tickets are available to purchase before the Tournament from ACPC or the day of the event. You can purchase one ticket for $5, five tickets for $20, or thirty tickets for $100. Anson and Montgomery County Partnership for Children are 501(c)3 organizations. All donations are tax-deductible. Checks and cash are preferred, but virtual payments are accepted. For more information about ACPC or the Pickleball Tournament, call 704-694-4036 or email info@ansonchidlren.org.