Launch, formerly Community Day School Association, has provided affordable, high-quality before and after school, preschool and summer programs to low-income and families of color in Central, Southeast, and West Seattle for more than 40 years. Their goal is to provide a safe, fun, nurturing place where children develop the social-emotional and academic skills they need to be successful throughout their lives. Each year, they serve more than 1,250 children ages 3-12.
Launch collaborates with community resources to provide quality, equitable educational programs and a network of assistance to all of the children in our care. The Launch Equation: Outreach + Advocacy + Equity = A holistic educational program for all of the children and families in our network.
In February of 2020, Launch coordinated with Seattle, King County Public Health, and other child care providers to develop robust health and safety measures that served as a statewide model for how child care programs could safely reopen. From March – June 2020, they provided free emergency child care programs to 80 children from essential worker families. Teachers offered engaging enrichment activities, a safe place for kids to process big feelings about the pandemic, and opportunities to connect with academic learning while schools were closed.