Dallas Fort Worth Nonprofit Business Journal

Tag: Educational First Steps

  • Educational First Steps surpasses $1M fundraising goal

    Educational First Steps (EFS) reports exceeding its philanthropic target for an event in February.

    The Diving Deep with Mark Cuban benefit was headlined by the Dallas Mavericks’ owner and ABC’s Shark Tank investor with a discussion on the intersection of entrepreneurship and education. It was hosted by co-chairs Wasan Alfalahi and Tiffany Cuban on February 22 at the Ritz-Carlton in Dallas. Donovan Lewis, Host for Sportsradio 1310 The Ticket, emceed and moderated the event.

    For 30 years, EFS has created and supported high-quality early learning environments for children from birth to age five in North Texas.  EFS partners with small business owners and educators in over 100 childcare centers and 50 home-based partners in historically under-resourced communities to impact more than 8,000 children annually.

    Event organizers said Cuban’s entrepreneurial experience, professional success, and value of education offered an invaluable perspective on the challenges faced by many businesses today, including those in early childhood education.

    “We are so appreciative of Mark, Wasan, and Tiffany for this opportunity to help raise both awareness and support for the important work of Educational First Steps,” said President & CEO Vickie Allen.  “The small business owners, directors, and educators in the childcare centers that EFS partners with are so vital to the health and success of our local community, and it is truly special to be able to shine this spotlight on them.”

    EFS transforms existing childcare centers into nationally accredited preschools in a period of 36 months at no cost to the centers or parents.  By securing national accreditation, centers become true preschools, preparing children for kindergarten and beyond and placing them on a path to success.

    “Surpassing the $1 million goal reflects North Texas’s belief in the mission of Educational First Steps and the importance of early childhood education,” said Allen. “[The event’s] success is an indicator of the collective effort to address an issue that plagues the health and vitality of our economy.”

  • Educational First Steps Announces New Senior Director of Operations

    Educational First Steps, located in Dallas and Fort Worth, has shared Daisy Cano-Esparza has joined the agency as the new Senior Director of Operations.

    Ms. Cano-Esparza previously worked as the Executive Director of the AVANCE North Texas chapter. She graduated Summa Cum Lade from Sam Houston University with her bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She holds two Masters’ degrees: one in Social Work from University of Texas at Arlington and another one from Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Bilingual Education.

  • Educational First Steps Hosts 10th Annual Early Learning Conference

    Educational First Steps, located in Dallas and Fort Worth, has shared their 10th Annual Early Learning Conference will be held on January 25, 2020.

    The conference provides classroom training for early childhood educators and is offered at no cost to partners.

  • Educational First Steps Names Vickie Allen as New Executive Director

    Educational First Steps (EFS) has announced the hiring of Vickie Allen as their new executive director. The nonprofit has its headquarters in Dallas and also has an office in Fort Worth.

    Previously, Ms. Allen was senior vice president of development at United Way of Tarrant County. She has also worked for WiNGS and consulted in Texas and St. Paul, Minnesota. In St. Paul, she was an assistant professor/co-chair of the business department at St. Catherine University; co-founded Team Pact Consulting Group, which partnered with nonprofits, foundations and businesses; and worked for the Girl Scout Council of St. Croix Valley.

    Brett Kirstein, EFS board chairman, said, “We are very excited for Vickie to be joining Educational First Steps. She brings experienced leadership in operations and philanthropy, and she is passionate about growing the number of quality childhood education opportunities for at-risk children. As our organization seeks additional opportunities to grow our ability to serve more children and communities, we are confident Vickie can lead us there.”

    EFS, which started in South Dallas, has grown to serve Tarrant, Denton, Johnson, Collin and Grayson counties.