Houk selected as Women's Caring Program CEO

ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 18, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Women's Caring Program announced today that Emily Houk will be serving as the organization's chief executive officer.  

"Emily has a deep-seeded commitment to educating policy makers, businesses, foundations and individuals about the critical importance of early care and learning for children from low-income families," said Rachele Downs, WCP board chair. "This passion, coupled expertise in strategic visionary planning, gave the WCP board full confidence that we chose the right person to guide and grow the organization well into the future.

"And as a working mother of three with over 20 years of experience in public policy development and consulting, we have no doubt that Emily brings a valuable perspective regarding the often difficult and costly task of being a working parent and providing for a quality childcare experience."

Houk's previous work has also included project management and governance work related to Michigan's K–12 education system.

"There are many reasons I'm thrilled to lead the only organization in Michigan that has been delivering early care and education scholarships for 15 years," said Houk. "In fact, there are over 1,300 reasons … each representing a child who received a scholarship from the WCP.

"While it's thrilling to hear the public policy discussion and early childhood initiatives moving forward, from the statehouse to Congress, my experience has been that the real first steps toward change always begins at the grassroots level, and that's where the WCP has been, delivering early care and education scholarships since 1998."

Houk will welcome guests from 5:30-8 pm this evening at the first of seven statewide annual garden parties, called Twilight Gatherings. Tonight's Twilight Gathering is being held at the home of Sandy Riney, 125 Kenwood, Grosse Pointe Farms. Walk-ins are welcome and credit cards and checks will be accepted at the door. The ticketed event, featuring an eclectic silent auction, drinks and hors d'oeuvres, is open to the public.

Over $2.2 million has been raised by attendees to the Twilight Gatherings.

WCP's six other statewide Twilight Gatherings:

• Lansing: July 16, 5-7 pm; hosted by Kelly Rossman-McKinney
• Novi: July 25, 5:30-8 pm; hosted by Jane Gardner
• Ann Arbor: August 1, 5:30-8 pm; hosted by Colby Spencer Cesaro
• West Bloomfield: August 15, 5:30-8 pm; hosted by Alicia Masse
• Grand Rapids: August 21, 5:30-8 pm; hosted by Marge Byington Potter
• Battle Creek: August 26, 5:30-7:30 pm; hosted by Kathleen Mechem and Laura Walters

For more information and to register online, go to www.WomensCaringProgram.org.

About Women's Caring Program:  The Women's Caring Program's signature program, ChildCare Commitment, is the only statewide program – serving families in 81 of Michigan's 83 counties - that provides this gap funding assistance to families who are not eligible for public assistance. Helping early in the life of a low-income child with quality care and education can help break the cycle of poverty by promoting academic achievement.

SOURCE Women's Caring Program