Transforming Lives Through Civic Engagement
#MyPLTIStory
Elizabeth “Liz” Quiñonez, a determined working mother and immigrant in Danbury, Connecticut, faced the daunting challenge of finding affordable childcare for her child. This struggle, shared by many others in her community, led Liz to a life-changing opportunity: the Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI). Little did she know that PLTI would empower her to initiate change on a scale she had never imagined.
The Childcare Gap in Danbury
Liz’s story begins with the keen understanding and belief that parents and families are the first and forever teachers of their children. Faced with the childcare crisis in Danbury, Liz, as a part-time employee with the Danbury Promise for Children Partnership and United Way of Western CT, recognized the pressing need for affordable and quality childcare.
Engaging with the large immigrant community in Danbury and drawing from her personal experiences, Liz uncovered a stark reality—4900 children under the age of 5, with a mere 128 subsidized childcare spots. This revelation fueled Liz’s determination to address the crisis head-on, armed with the knowledge and skills acquired through PLTI.
PLTI Sessions Unleash Civic Leadership
In session 4 of the PLTI training, “How to Define a Problem and Work Toward a Solution,” Liz honed in on the childcare situation, focusing on the power of parents’ voices and unity. Her PLTI civic community project was born—a groundbreaking initiative connecting home-based childcare providers to training, development, and certification opportunities. Her tireless efforts met Danbury’s immediate needs and prompted city and agency leaders to recognize the direct relationship between affordable childcare, employment, and poverty.
Catalyst for Change
Liz’s project became a catalyst for change supported by Danbury’s Promise for Children Partnership, United Way of Western Connecticut, The City of Danbury, CT Office of Early Learning, The Boston Federal Reserve Bank, and The PLTI of Greater Danbury.
The impact reached beyond Danbury’s borders, making headlines as the city secured a $750,000 Working Cities Challenge Grant, a $100,000 Bloomberg grant, and the launch of “Cora’s Kids”—an affordable childcare initiative for Danbury’s hardworking families, led by the United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut. The Cora’s Kids initiative currently serves 110 Family Child Care providers in the network, each caring for up to 6 infant-toddler-age children (660 children and counting!). The program has received recognition for its unique approach to supporting BOTH the providers and the parents in the community, and other programs have begun to emulate this model.
Liz Quiñonez, a PLTI graduate, became the driving force behind systemic change in Danbury, demonstrating that a single person’s passion, combined with the proper training, community engagement, and strategic partnerships, can change the lives of countless families. Her story exemplifies PLTI’s transformative power, inspiring other parents to join the initiative and become community leaders.
help sustain parent leadership
As you reflect on Liz’s journey of civic engagement and advocacy, we invite you to join us in supporting more parent leaders like her. Your contribution can make a tangible difference in the lives of families and children, fostering communities where every child has access to quality care and every parent and guardian has the opportunity to be a powerful advocate for change.
Help Sustain Parent Leadership
Your Support Makes A Difference
If you feel moved or inspired by this story, consider making a donation of $50, $100, $250, or even more.
We welcome any donation you can afford. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on the generosity of donors like you to sustain and expand our work. All donations are tax-deductible and your support directly fuels our initiatives like PLTI and our system capacity work, helping parents like Liz become effective leaders in their communities. Every contribution, regardless of size, plays a crucial role in creating positive change.
