It was a joy to celebrate the fifth anniversary of The 9:30 Call last week with a live broadcast at the Worcester Public Library!
We were joined by early educators and advocates from across the state. This hybrid event featured several live watch parties, including the main Strategies for Children event in Worcester hosted by Amy O‘Leary plus our regular remote Zoom audience—100 strong—facilitated by Marisa Fear.
The event showcased pre-recorded video messages from state leaders including Governor Maura Healey, Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler, and State Senator Jason Lewis. State Senator Robyn Kennedy joined us live to share her memories of the early days of The 9:30 Call when she was a center director during the pandemic. We also heard from Department of Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw, State Senator Sal DiDomenico, State Representative Christine Barber, Strategies Board Chair Sally C. Fuller, and Tom Weber who joined live on Zoom.
Advocates and long-time callers Binal Patel, Aditi Subramaniam, Christy Moulin, and Lucas Skorczeski also shared pre-recorded video messages for the event.
At the end of the Worcester event, several attendees won 9:30 Call mugs in a special raffle.
If you couldn’t join us, check out the video, posted above and on our YouTube Channel.
Here are slides and photos from the event.
As Strategies’ Executive Director Amy O’Leary says in a press release, “It is incredible to see the evolution, growth and impact of The 9:30 Call. We continue to be inspired by the community that has been created and are grateful for the love, vulnerability, expertise, can-do-problem-solving innovation, kindness and compassionate spirit that has become the hallmark of The 9:30 Call.”