Job/Roles in the EC Community: National/Federal

I have chosen the Robin Hood Foundation.  This is an organization that targets poverty in NYC.  100% of all their donations go to help communities in poverty.  I know of this organization because when I lived in NYC, this organization funded and built a beautiful state of the art library in our school.  Our school consisted of a 100+ year old building that used to be a hospital not a school.  We lacked a library and a gym.  A grant was written and Robin Hood Foundation responded.  They were a blessing to our school community and the library was used for so many community education programs.  This is an organization working to combat poverty in impactful way.
www.robinhood.org/

Also chosen, was the Save the Children Foundation. This organization helps American kids living in poverty.  I specifically focused on the fact that they have a focus on early childhood education.  For example, they launched Early Steps to School Success.  This program begins with expectant parents and they follow these families from birth to age 5.  I think with all that we have learned about making impacts early this is an organization that is actually doing it.  Of course, they also help children in other parts of the world and work on many levels.  This is a great organization.
www.savethechildren.org/

When targeting an issue like poverty, regardless of the angle you choose to approach it, hunger must be a part of it.  If a child is hungry you need to address that issue.  So I looked at Ample Harvest.  This is a group targeting farmers and local people who grow their own food and have excess produce.  This organization asks that these farmers and local people would donate their excess produce to local food pantries in their communities.  Their goal is to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to local food pantries.
www.ampleharvest.org/

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State

I looked at the Southern Early Childhood Association.  Their position statements suggest they support arts and movement education, quality child care, supporting learning with technology and valuing diversity for young children.  SECA supports early childhood advocates in the South in keeping up with legislative changes and their impact.  A job opportunity that would interest me is that of administrator for North Carolina.  Currently, there is no affiliate for my state and I would like to create that.  I would need to be well-versed in the business aspect of education such as finance and marketing.
http://www.southernearlychildhood.org/


I also looked at North Carolina Early Childhood Association.  this organization advocates for the improvement of the work environment of the early childhood professionals.  They also work on legislation. One difference this group is making is their More at Four program which is NC's nationally acclaimed academic pre-K initiative for at-risk four year olds.  More at Four targets a specific population of 4 year olds from low-income families and with other defined risk factors that would not be served without this program.  A job opportunity that would interest me is evaluating the work environment.  I would be able to visit different locations and evaluate the program based on how they were meeting the needs of the educators and students.  As an evaluator I would have to get special training in what is required for successful programs in NC.
http://www.ncearlychildhoodassoc.com/

Lastly, I looked at Children of the City. This is a grassroots organization in the neighborhood I grew up in which is located in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.  The area is primarily made up of Latinos and is a poor area.  The group actually makes home visits and sees how it can meet the needs of the individual family. It was founded by Joyce Mattera, a pastor's wife.  I know this organization makes a big difference in the lives of families.  I would not seek a job here in this organization, I would actually volunteer my academic expertise.  I would tutor children in need. 
http://childrenofthecity.com/