Annemarie Valdez: 2022 Children’s Funding Champion Annemarie Valdez has been a champion for children and youth for more than two decades. Her experience includes leading a statewide infant mortality prevention organization in Illinois; serving as CEO of Child’s Hope, a Michigan nonprofit committed to preventing child abuse and neglect; and heading Detroit’s Youth Development Commission. Since 2015, Valdez has led First Steps Kent, a nonprofit organization that administers Kent County, MI’s, Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage, which provides dedicated funding for a wide range of early childhood programs in the county. As the president and CEO of First Steps Kent, Valdez oversaw a campaign to establish a voter-approved children’s fund that raises more than $5 million annually for programs that improve the health, school readiness, and well-being of children under age five in Kent County. In 2022, the Grand Rapids Business Journal recognized her as one of the top 200 most powerful business leaders in West Michigan.For these reasons and more, we are thrilled to name Valdez our 2022 Children’s Funding Champion. Filed under:Infants and Toddlers, Early Childhood, Advocates/Intermediaries, Funders, Policymakers/Agency Leaders, Video, Voter-Approved Children’s Funds Filed under:Infants and Toddlers, Early Childhood, Advocates/Intermediaries, Funders, Policymakers/Agency Leaders, Video, Voter-Approved Children’s Funds More Resources Video 2022 Ballot Measure Allows Whatcom County to Play Greater Role in Supporting Children and Families Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu talks about the county's Healthy Children’s Fund. Video Madison Youth Workers Say We Must Invest in Kids’ Curiosity to Help Them Succeed Two career youth workers share their perspectives for helping young people succeed. Updates and Events News May 15, 2024 Visit to Denver Preschool Program Energizes Existing and Future Leaders of Voter-Approved Children’s Funds Interview May 8, 2024 2022 Ballot Measure Allows County to Play Greater Role in Supporting Children and Families, Says Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu Interview March 21, 2024 Madison Youth Workers Say We Must Invest in Kids’ Curiosity to Help Them Succeed Close Share it! Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Click to copy URL Link Copied!
Video 2022 Ballot Measure Allows Whatcom County to Play Greater Role in Supporting Children and Families Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu talks about the county's Healthy Children’s Fund.
Video Madison Youth Workers Say We Must Invest in Kids’ Curiosity to Help Them Succeed Two career youth workers share their perspectives for helping young people succeed.
News May 15, 2024 Visit to Denver Preschool Program Energizes Existing and Future Leaders of Voter-Approved Children’s Funds
Interview May 8, 2024 2022 Ballot Measure Allows County to Play Greater Role in Supporting Children and Families, Says Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu
Interview March 21, 2024 Madison Youth Workers Say We Must Invest in Kids’ Curiosity to Help Them Succeed