<img src="https://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/a413dccb-a429-456b-9369-a864caac555f?size=2" nborder="0" align="left" hspace="5" vspace="5" title="Collaborative for Children Logo" alt="Collaborative for Children Logo"/>The "Hope Takes Root" luncheon will honor Enbridge and highlight proven solutions that help more children enter kindergarten ready to succeed.<div style="float:right;padding:0 0 15px 20px;margin:15px 0 20px 20px">
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 <iframe type="text/html" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7cuTexvjC-E" title="Greater Houston is advancing early childhood education through Centers of Excellence, real-time data, educator training, business support, and STEAM-focused learning experiences that help prepare children for future success."></iframe>
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 <h5>Greater Houston is advancing early childhood education through Centers of Excellence, real-time data, educator training, business support, and STEAM-focused learning experiences that help prepare children for future success.</h5>
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</div>Houston, TX, Sept. 03, 2026 <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com" target="_blank">(GLOBE NEWSWIRE)</a> -- Collaborative for Children will bring together business leaders, educators, and community advocates for its 2026 Building Blocks Luncheon on Thursday, September 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at River Oaks Country Club. <img alt="Collaborative for Children to Rally Houston Leaders Around Early Education at 2026 Building Blocks Luncheon" height="585" src="https://pressranger.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/3772799/CFC_412_CFLUNCH26_STD_052626.jpg" style="display:block; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;" width="799" /> Building Blocks Luncheon September 24, 2026 This year's luncheon, "Hope Takes Root," will focus on what becomes possible when Greater Houston invests in children during the first five years of life.  "Hope takes root when children have access to high-quality learning experiences, families have trusted support, and educators have the tools to help every child grow," said Dr. Melanie Johnson, president and CEO of Collaborative for Children. "This luncheon is an opportunity for Houston to come together around solutions that are already producing results and to help those solutions reach more children and families." The need remains significant. Only half of Greater Houston children begin kindergarten ready to learn, approximately one-third read on grade level by third grade, and only one in four ultimately earns a degree or workforce credential. These outcomes affect more than individual students. They influence the strength of the region's schools, workforce, and economy. Through its network of 125 Centers of Excellence, Collaborative for Children works with child care providers, educators and families to strengthen early learning throughout Greater Houston. <a href="https://collabforchildren.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Current results show">Current results show</a> that 89% of participating teachers improve their instructional practices, 97% of children gain key school-readiness skills, and kindergarten-readiness outcomes triple. In addition, 85% of children in the program reach the highest social-emotional benchmarks. The Building Blocks Luncheon will share the stories behind that progress while outlining Collaborative for Children's vision for expanding access to high-quality early education across the region. Guests may purchase individual tickets for $250, making the luncheon accessible to supporters who may not be attending as part of a sponsored table. Tables, select sponsorship opportunities, and individual giving options are also available. Event Details What: Collaborative for Children's 2026 Building Blocks Luncheon Theme: Championing Young Futures: Hope Takes Root When: Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: River Oaks Country Club Tickets: Individual tickets are $250 To purchase a ticket, reserve a table, or support the luncheon, visit <a href="https://collabforchildren.org/building-blocks-luncheon/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Collaborative for Children's Building Blocks Luncheon page">Collaborative for Children's Building Blocks Luncheon page</a>. About Collaborative for Children Collaborative for Children is the go-to resource for providing high-quality, future-focused early childhood education services, and the architect of a better, richer life for all kids. As the leading resource for early childhood education in the region, we are committed to shaping bold, innovative approaches that improve the learning opportunities for children in the first five years of life and to provide a strong foundation that prepares them for 21st-century success. Press Inquiries Chase Murphy cmurphy [at] collabforchildren.org 713.600.1100 <a href="https://collabforchildren.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="">https://collabforchildren.org</a> 2200 Post Oak Blvd, Suite 1000 Houston, Texas 77056 USA A video accompanying this announcement is available here: <a href="https://youtube.com/watch?v=7cuTexvjC-E" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="">https://youtube.com/watch?v=7cuTexvjC-E</a> <img alt="" src='https://ml.globenewswire.com/media/ZmMwZWQzNGMtMDJlMy00Mjc3LTk5NTktNDZlOWQ3MTg5YmZmLTUwMDE2MDcyMC0yMDI2LTA5LTAzLWVu/tiny/Collaborative-for-Children.png' referrerpolicy='no-referrer-when-downgrade' />

Collaborative for Children to Rally Houston Leaders Around Early Education at 2026 Building Blocks Luncheon

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