About Us
Care4Kidz was founded by Joy Powell to honor the lifelong advocacy for youth and community empowerment championed by her father, Hecky Powell inspired by his commitment to helping others, Joy created Care4Kidz to address a growing need: families who fall just outside of financial aid eligibility but still struggle to afford quality early childhood education.
Who We Are
Care4kidz is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families experiencing financial hardship by providing grants and scholarships for daycare and preschool services. We understand that as many parents return to the workforce, the rising cost of quality childcare has become a major challenge. Our mission is to make early learning more accessible so every child can thrive.
Our Mission
Our Mission: To provide financial support and advocacy for families seeking access to early childhood education but facing economic barriers.
Our Vision
We envision a community where every child, regardless of financial circumstance, has access to high-quality early learning experiences that prepare them for lifelong success.
Our Commitment
Care4Kidz is committed to:
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Providing direct tuition assistance to working families who do not qualify for public subsidies but still face financial barriers to early childhood education.
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Partnering with licensed childcare centers and preschools in Evanston and surrounding communities to expand access to high-quality early learning.
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Advancing educational equity by ensuring children from all income levels have the opportunity to begin school prepared, confident, and ready to thrive.
Care4Kidz exists to close the affordability gap in early childhood education for working families in our community. Through tuition assistance partnerships with licensed providers, we invest in early learning access so children enter kindergarten equipped for long-term academic success.
The Legacy Behind Our Mission
Care4Kidz honors the legacy of Hecky Powell, a respected community leader whose life’s work centered on strengthening families in Evanston. Before opening his iconic restaurant, Powell served as Director of Neighbors at Work, supporting struggling families through low-cost meals, food access, and essential community services. He later served as President of the Evanston NAACP and as President of the Evanston/Skokie School District 65 School Board, advocating for equity and opportunity in education. Known for his generosity, Powell provided employment, mentorship, and meals to those in need, always investing in young people and working families. In recognition of his lifelong commitment to service, he was awarded the Key to the City of Evanston in 2014. Care4Kidz extends that legacy by addressing one of today’s most pressing barriers for families: access to affordable early childhood education. By helping bridge the financial gap for working families, we continue his vision of building a stronger, more equitable community — starting with its youngest members.
Let’s Work Together
Get in touch so we can start working together.