We believe every child can be successful in school. But—too often—race, ethnicity and language are predictors of poverty and low rates of school success.
Why? Because our existing system of social services, schools, and community supports isn't set up to effectively serve children and families of color. We want to change that.
We work hard to ensure children of color age six and under get what they need to thrive in kindergarten and beyond.
We focus on children of color because we know they are overrepresented in poverty. While children of color make up 45% of all children six and under in our county, they make up 67% of the population of children experiencing poverty.
We disrupt the structural barriers families of color face when their young children are growing and learning.
We build partnerships, set family-driven priorities, spark shifts in thinking, and support our partners to more effectively serve children and families of color in Multnomah County.
Early Learning Multnomah (ELM) is also one of 16 regional early learning hubs working across Oregon.
ELM was in the first group of hubs to organize in the summer of 2014. Each hub is funded by the Oregon Early Learning Division.