Colorado’s children are enjoying more high-quality early childhood education experiences than ever thanks to PNC Grow Up Great. Launched in 2004, PNC Grow Up Great is a $500 million, bilingual early childhood education initiative that helps prepare children, particularly underserved children, from birth through age 5 for success in school and life. Expanding access to high-quality early childhood education is a logical extension of PNC’s commitment to supporting the communities where we live, work and play. PNC Grow Up Great has worked with education experts to develop valuable resources and programs to support children, families and teachers. Additionally, as part of PNC Grow Up Great, more than 150 bilingual lesson plans have been created in collaboration with renowned arts and science organizations. The driving force behind this effort is simple — research continually shows that early education access provides benefits that go beyond individual families and help the entire community. In Colorado, we collaborate with over 15 PNC Grow Up Great partners, including Mile High United Way and Clayton Early Learning. With PNC’s support, Mile High United Way has expanded early childhood education opportunities for underserved families at their new ECE Center in Denver. The program includes wraparound services such as Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY), along with workforce development for aspiring childcare providers and Family Friends & Neighbor (FFN) training to help informal care providers foster quality learning. Mile High United Way intends to expand their programming to four additional neighborhoods in Aurora and southwest Denver. At Clayton Early Learning, PNC’s financial support enhances sensory learning opportunities for young learners. This includes a Sensory Garden update, expanding outdoor learning experiences for children, and Inside the Orchestra, which uses music to boost skills for school readiness, including intellectual, social-emotional, motor, language and overall literacy. Across Colorado and throughout the nation, PNC Grow Up Great employs a comprehensive approach of grant funding, employee volunteerism, awareness and advocacy to support families, educators and community partners in providing innovative opportunities that enhance learning and development for our youngest community members, setting a path for success that lasts a lifetime. Learn more about PNC Grow Up Great, and access free bilingual resources for educators, parents and caregivers, at pncgrowupgreat.com.
PRESS RELEASE AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Denver International Airport (DEN) recently received approval from Denver City Council for a three-year Feasibility Study Contract to understand childcare needs at the airport and potential solutions associated. Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC) will lead to study to find an actionable approach to a childcare solution for DEN. “It’s really important for us to understand how we can better support our employees,” said DEN CEO Phil Washington. “As the airport continues to serve a higher volume of passengers with continued excellence, we need to understand how to recruit, retain and grow employees throughout all stages of their lives and careers, and addressing childcare needs is a major factor we must consider.” EPIC’s work will be spread across three phases, including the development of a small childcare center to serve temporary childcare needs associated with the airport’s Center of Equity & Excellence in Aviation (CEEA) along with the feasibility of a larger on-site childcare facility and exploration of other potential childcare supports to align with DEN’s Vision 100 Plan. A variety of innovative childcare models and approaches will be explored, with a particular focus on accommodating our lowest-wage earners. The project will be completed over the course of three years. As the third largest airport in the United States, DEN would join other American airports that already offer childcare support, including Los Angeles International Airport and Pittsburgh International Airport. Read the full Press Release. Update as of June 2025 Chalkbeat Colorado spotlighted EPIC’s role in expanding access to childcare at Denver International Airport (DEN). Set to open in 2026, the drop-in childcare center will be part of DEN’s new Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation. Developed in partnership with EPIC through a feasibility study, the center will offer drop-in and back-up care for up to 20 children to better support working families and strengthen the airport’s workforce. Check out more media coverage: Child care center for DIA employees’ family members in the works – FOX31 Denver KDVR Coming in 2026: A drop-in childcare center at the Denver airport – Denver 7 News New childcare center coming to Denver airport – 9News Denver DIA is getting a drop-in childcare center in 2026 – Denverite
https://www.epicimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Your-paragraph-text-4.png10801080Brooke Flower/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/epic-logo-sm.pngBrooke Flower2024-05-02 15:48:072025-07-09 17:21:18DEN Set to Begin Feasibility Study with EPIC to Understand Childcare Needs
This article briefly mentions EPIC as part of the broader conversation about the urgent need for equity in New Jersey’s paid family leave program. It mentions our Design Lab, the use of public and private funds to work with employers in Colorado to help create childcare centers, and more. Read more here!
https://www.epicimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/preschoolersbuildingwithblocks.jpeg10011500Brooke Flower/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/epic-logo-sm.pngBrooke Flower2023-08-29 09:23:482025-06-12 14:29:13EPIC Featured in North Jersey Article About Supporting Families
Women United is committed to strengthening childcare networks and facilities and advocating for a triple win: fostering the growth and development of young minds, empowering women to return to and thrive in the workforce, and supporting women business owners. Expanding access to quality, affordable, and educational childcare will create a brighter future for everyone involved. Women United chapters are actively making a difference through advocacy, fundraising, and volunteering. Click here to learn more.
https://www.epicimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/blog86-education-scaled.jpg17072560Brooke Flower/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/epic-logo-sm.pngBrooke Flower2023-05-23 10:48:522025-06-12 14:28:17Women United Chapters Are Advocating, Fundraising, and Volunteering to Expand Access to Quality, Affordable, Educational Childcare
Geta Asfaw, EPIC founding member and President of Addis & Company/Ababa & Company, was appointed by Governor Polis and unanimously confirmed by the Senate as Colorado’s newest Civil Rights Commissioner. Way to go, Geta! Thank you for your dedication and contribution to the community!
https://www.epicimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/unnamed-1024x712-1.jpg7121024Brooke Flower/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/epic-logo-sm.pngBrooke Flower2023-05-22 10:24:322025-06-12 14:28:16EPIC Founding Member Geta Asfaw Appointed as Civil Rights Commissioner
How PNC Supports Colorado’s Littlest Learners
/in NewsColorado’s children are enjoying more high-quality early childhood education experiences than ever thanks to PNC Grow Up Great. Launched in 2004, PNC Grow Up Great is a $500 million, bilingual early childhood education initiative that helps prepare children, particularly underserved children, from birth through age 5 for success in school and life. Expanding access to high-quality early childhood education is a logical extension of PNC’s commitment to supporting the communities where we live, work and play. PNC Grow Up Great has worked with education experts to develop valuable resources and programs to support children, families and teachers. Additionally, as part of PNC Grow Up Great, more than 150 bilingual lesson plans have been created in collaboration with renowned arts and science organizations. The driving force behind this effort is simple — research continually shows that early education access provides benefits that go beyond individual families and help the entire community. In Colorado, we collaborate with over 15 PNC Grow Up Great partners, including Mile High United Way and Clayton Early Learning. With PNC’s support, Mile High United Way has expanded early childhood education opportunities for underserved families at their new ECE Center in Denver. The program includes wraparound services such as Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY), along with workforce development for aspiring childcare providers and Family Friends & Neighbor (FFN) training to help informal care providers foster quality learning. Mile High United Way intends to expand their programming to four additional neighborhoods in Aurora and southwest Denver. At Clayton Early Learning, PNC’s financial support enhances sensory learning opportunities for young learners. This includes a Sensory Garden update, expanding outdoor learning experiences for children, and Inside the Orchestra, which uses music to boost skills for school readiness, including intellectual, social-emotional, motor, language and overall literacy. Across Colorado and throughout the nation, PNC Grow Up Great employs a comprehensive approach of grant funding, employee volunteerism, awareness and advocacy to support families, educators and community partners in providing innovative opportunities that enhance learning and development for our youngest community members, setting a path for success that lasts a lifetime. Learn more about PNC Grow Up Great, and access free bilingual resources for educators, parents and caregivers, at pncgrowupgreat.com.
DEN Set to Begin Feasibility Study with EPIC to Understand Childcare Needs
/in Blog, NewsPRESS RELEASE AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Denver International Airport (DEN) recently received approval from Denver City Council for a three-year Feasibility Study Contract to understand childcare needs at the airport and potential solutions associated. Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC) will lead to study to find an actionable approach to a childcare solution for DEN. “It’s really important for us to understand how we can better support our employees,” said DEN CEO Phil Washington. “As the airport continues to serve a higher volume of passengers with continued excellence, we need to understand how to recruit, retain and grow employees throughout all stages of their lives and careers, and addressing childcare needs is a major factor we must consider.” EPIC’s work will be spread across three phases, including the development of a small childcare center to serve temporary childcare needs associated with the airport’s Center of Equity & Excellence in Aviation (CEEA) along with the feasibility of a larger on-site childcare facility and exploration of other potential childcare supports to align with DEN’s Vision 100 Plan. A variety of innovative childcare models and approaches will be explored, with a particular focus on accommodating our lowest-wage earners. The project will be completed over the course of three years. As the third largest airport in the United States, DEN would join other American airports that already offer childcare support, including Los Angeles International Airport and Pittsburgh International Airport. Read the full Press Release. Update as of June 2025 Chalkbeat Colorado spotlighted EPIC’s role in expanding access to childcare at Denver International Airport (DEN). Set to open in 2026, the drop-in childcare center will be part of DEN’s new Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation. Developed in partnership with EPIC through a feasibility study, the center will offer drop-in and back-up care for up to 20 children to better support working families and strengthen the airport’s workforce. Check out more media coverage: Child care center for DIA employees’ family members in the works – FOX31 Denver KDVR Coming in 2026: A drop-in childcare center at the Denver airport – Denver 7 News New childcare center coming to Denver airport – 9News Denver DIA is getting a drop-in childcare center in 2026 – Denverite
EPIC Featured in North Jersey Article About Supporting Families
/in NewsThis article briefly mentions EPIC as part of the broader conversation about the urgent need for equity in New Jersey’s paid family leave program. It mentions our Design Lab, the use of public and private funds to work with employers in Colorado to help create childcare centers, and more. Read more here!
Women United Chapters Are Advocating, Fundraising, and Volunteering to Expand Access to Quality, Affordable, Educational Childcare
/in NewsWomen United is committed to strengthening childcare networks and facilities and advocating for a triple win: fostering the growth and development of young minds, empowering women to return to and thrive in the workforce, and supporting women business owners. Expanding access to quality, affordable, and educational childcare will create a brighter future for everyone involved. Women United chapters are actively making a difference through advocacy, fundraising, and volunteering. Click here to learn more.
EPIC Founding Member Geta Asfaw Appointed as Civil Rights Commissioner
/in NewsGeta Asfaw, EPIC founding member and President of Addis & Company/Ababa & Company, was appointed by Governor Polis and unanimously confirmed by the Senate as Colorado’s newest Civil Rights Commissioner. Way to go, Geta! Thank you for your dedication and contribution to the community!