4C for Children Honors Kim Chiodi and Dr. O'dell Owens as Champions for Children at Spring Gala

Many heroes often go unsung, but 4C for Children is working to make sure the spotlight shines on two of theirs.

"Kim Chiodi has given her time and expertise to the 4C Developing Early Childhood Leaders program that builds the leadership skills of child care [program] owners and administrators," explains Vanessa Freytag, 4C for Children’s president and CEO.

"Dr. O’dell Owens has always worked to integrate advocacy for early childhood education into his professional career, especially regarding its role in ending the cycle of poverty in the community."

4C for Children supports child care providers in the community through coaching and training by professionals, assisting families in finding quality child care and helping provide nutritious meals to vulnerable, young children in child care programs.

"4C’s mission is to educate and support the adults who care for young children and advocate for public support for quality early education and care for all children," explains Freytag. "We are committed to leveling the playing field so that every child has access to the care and early education they deserve.

"I’ve learned that by the age of 5, the deck is either stacked for or against the future of that child. Quality early childhood education is the game-changer."

Last year, 4C for Children touched the lives of more than 130,000 children across Greater Cincinnati, Miami Valley and Northern Kentucky by training over 20,000 child care professionals, helping over 8,000 families find child care and gain access to parent education, and providing over 2 million healthy meals to children in child care.

"Leaders in our community work tirelessly to unlock the potential of our youngest children and inspire others to serve children and families," says Freytag. "We are thrilled to honor Kim Chiodi and Dr. O’dell Owens as our 2019 Champions for Children at our spring gala.

"4C’s mission to advocate for high-quality, accessible, affordable early childhood education care for all families is very important to me," explains Chiodi, senior vice president of Public Relations and Corporate Communications for Western & Southern Financial Group. "Employees don’t have a home life and a work life – they just have one, all-encompassing life. It’s critical that those who work outside of their home feel confident in their children’s education and care while they’re away."

Although Western & Southern has served as a corporate partner of 4C for Children since 2005, Chiodi first became involved with 4C for Children in 1992 when she became a board trustee.

Chiodi has served on the board for a total of 14 years while chairing the board for three years. She has also done many years of pro bono consulting for 4C including leading board retreats and facilitating developmental sessions for the 4C leadership conferences, the 4C Family Child Care Network and the 4C Developing Early Childhood Leaders certification program. She also helped develop an online supervisory skills program for early childhood professionals.

Chiodi and Owens will both be honored as a Champions for Children at the 4C for Children Gala on March 16, 2019. For more information about the gala or to purchase tickets, please visit www.4cgala.org.

4C for Children is located at 2100 Sherman Ave. #300, Cincinnati, OH 45212. For more information, call 513.221.0033 or visit www.4cforchildren.org