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What is our Give a Child a Chance [GACAC] ministry?

Who are we? Give a Child a Chance is a ministry of First Lutheran Church. Established in 2014, our team is made up of five members of the congregation who recognized a need to assist low-income families to access quality preschool care.

Our Mission is to raise funds to provide tuition support to neighborhood children, in need, to attend our state-licensed, non-denominational, nationally accredited First Lutheran Children’s Programs [FLCP].

  • FLCP provides quality, play-based and family-focused childcare for toddlers to school age children.
  • FLCP offers developmentally appropriate activities within a nurturing and loving environment.
  • FLCP is – Trustworthy + Love + Convenience + Diversity + Fun + Expertise.

Who is helped? Preschoolers from low-income families of greater Portland who do not qualify for state financial support; can provide some tuition support; but cannot afford to pay the full amount of tuition. GACAC supports part of the tuition for children from 12 months to preschool age who are enrolled at FLCP. Many of the families are from the North Deering neighborhood.

How are they helped?  We partner with the parent(s)/guardian(s) and the First Lutheran Children’s Program to pay the tuition, so these children have the advantages that preschool experience provides.  This gives them a leg-up on readiness to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

How do we do it? We use a variety of approaches to our fundraising efforts, including the RaiseRight shopping/gift card program offered after Sunday service the first 2 Sundays of the month. Other fundraising efforts include competing in the Town and Country Federal Credit Union “Better Neighborhood Fund” contests and special events such as the sign-making parties. Look for GACAC events and how you can help in the monthly FLC newsletter.

How you can help:

  • Sign up for a one-time or recurring direct donation online.
  • Enroll in the RaiseRight gift card program.
  • Subscribe below to our Give a Child a Chance periodic news blurb to learn more about special fundraising events.

We know we cannot help every child in need attend preschool, but we can help some!  Thank you for helping us help them.

If you have questions, please contact us.