More than 60 community members—including childcare providers, parents, children, educators, and advocates—gathered at Hatters Park on May 14, 2025 for the 4th Annual Morning Without Child Care rally. Locally organized by the Danbury Collective, Cora’s Kids, and United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut, the event was part of a coordinated statewide movement led by the Child Care for Connecticut coalition to urge lawmakers to prioritize accessible, affordable, and quality childcare.
This year’s Danbury rally highlighted the critical role of childcare in the local economy and family well-being, while calling attention to Connecticut’s urgent need for investment and reform.
“Connecticut families are facing an impossible choice—pay for childcare or pay the bills,” said Elizabeth Quinonez, Senior Director of the Early Childhood Initiative at United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut and event co-organizer. “This is not sustainable for our families or our economy. We need real legislative solutions now.”
"I cannot tell you enough how important early childcare is and how we see the difference in the students that come to us with the structured environment they’ve had, and the love and confidence they have when they come out of high quality childcare,” emphasized Dr. Kara Casimiro, Superintendent of Danbury Public Schools. “There is nothing more important—it is the cornerstone and bedrock in our community when there is high quality childcare and our parents can afford access to that.”
Fanny Rodriguez, a local home childcare provider, added, “We give our hearts and our homes to care for children, but we can’t do this work without proper support. Fair pay and funding are not luxuries—they’re necessities.”
“Our families want to work. We want to give children a strong foundation,” said Eileen Costello, Danbury School Readiness Coordinator. “We need lawmakers to hear our call and take action—this is about the future of our state.”
Following the rally, families stayed to enjoy the Sparkler Family Fun Event, where they participated in activities, face painting, received free books, and learned about the Sparkler app—a free tool to support children’s development from birth to age five. Families were also able to connect with child development professionals and sign a petition urging legislators to act on childcare reform.