The Consumers Energy Foundation recently granted $5,000 to the Great Start Collaborative and Parent Coalition of Charlevoix, Emmet and Northern Antrim Counties to support preschool tuition for families in need.  “The Great Start Collaborative aims to ensure all children are developmentally ready to succeed in school at the time of school entry. A key to […]

Earlier in November, the Great Start Collaborative hosted its second drop-in volunteer day and it was another smashing hit in terms of new faces and generous volunteers, according to GSC Director Savanah Cool.  “Additionally, we created new partnerships with child welfare agencies, providing them each a set of 15 unique Talking is Teaching Baby Bundles […]

Visitors to Emmet County’s Camp Petosega will have something new to talk about during their next visit: A new Talking is Teaching trail has been established by the Great Start Collaborative and Parent Coalition of Charlevoix, Emmet and Northern Antrim Counties. Talking is Teaching is a national public awareness and action campaign from Too Small […]

‘Talking is Teaching’ arriving with fun giveaways in local grocery stores June 18, 2022 Families with children ages birth through five who bring their children grocery shopping are encouraged to stop by Louie’s Fresh Market locations on Saturday, June 18, 2022, for new “Talking is Teaching” campaign celebrations. Talking is Teaching is an initiative of […]

A $22,500 grant received by the Great Start Collaborative of Charlevoix, Emmet and northern Antrim counties will support new and ongoing initiatives that bring literacy into the lives of area families with children.  The grant was awarded to the collaborative from the Birth to Five Literacy Support Network Hub, said Savanah Cool, Great Start Collaborative […]

Ground-level work being done by the Great Start Collaborative & Parent Coalition of Charlevoix, Emmet, and Northern Antrim Counties to reach and support families and young children continues to thrive thanks to funding support from the Frey Foundation. In 2020, the foundation granted Char-Em ISD with a three-year, $81,000 grant award as its work continues […]

A new year has brought a new director to the Great Start Collaborative & Parent Coalition that serves young children and families throughout Charlevoix, Emmet and Northern Antrim counties. Savanah Cool, of Boyne City, has taken on the director position after long-time director Maureen Hollocker stepped down at the end of December to take on […]

The Great Start Collaborative & Parent Coalition have had a busy summer 2021, expanding on the Talking is Teaching campaign in area parks and trails, grocery stores and more! On Aug. 13, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the new Talking is Teaching Nature Trail at the McCune Nature Trail in Emmet County, a […]

Char-Em ISD Early On services received $8,000 in GEER (Governor’s Emergency Education Relief) funding to purchase technology, equipment and materials in an effort to support families accessing Early On services remotely. Items purchased included: iPads with WIFI capability Tripods and iPad stands Specialized items such as: peanut balls, weighted lap pads, Bilibo seats, sensory chew […]