Supporting Educators and Families

Dear Branches Parents, Families, and Friends:

Giving Tuesday is almost here—a day that reminds us to give back to the community. This year, we’re excited to invite you to support the Branches Atelier Fund’s Initiatives. We hope to raise funds to support our emergency assistance program, teacher education and mental health support initiatives, and professional development outreach workshops. All donations to our registered 501c3 are now tax deductible.

You may wonder why we’re trying to raise funds?. How is the money really used? Am I really making a change if I donate?

Let me tell you how fundraising dollars have already made amazing things possible at Branches.

How Your Donation Changes Lives

-Emergency Assistance Program

Last year, tough times hit some of our families and teachers hard. It wasn’t just one thing—there were medical crises, job losses, and the Hollywood strikes that left people struggling to make ends meet. For some, staying at Branches felt completely out of reach. But because of donations from amazing people like you, Branches Atelier stepped in and handed out more than $20K in tuition assistance for our students and emergency funding support for our families and teachers in need.

That support kept kids in their classrooms, surrounded by friends, staying connected to the teachers who believe in them. It kept home routines steady in a time of uncertainty. For some, it meant extra money to pay for medical testing, put food on the table and gas in the car.

We need funds to continue to offer this resource to our community.

-Empowering Teachers to Flourish

“Inspire teachers, create inspirational classrooms.”--Patricia Hunter-McGrath

Our Branches teachers? They’re the ones who bring the magic to our school. And when we invest in their growth, the ripple effects are incredible.

How do we invest in our teachers? At Branches, we believe healthy teachers are the backbone of our school. To support the health of our teachers, Branches works with a wellness advocate who coaches our staff throughout the year. Each teacher has an opportunity to have 2-6 private mental health wellness sessions; they can request more if needed. The fund covers the cost of these sessions. We also have in-service workshops for the staff with the wellness coach every 6-8 weeks where we work on topics including interpersonal communication, anxiety, meditation, nutrition and so much more. This is an incredible way to support our teachers as they navigate the ups and downs of life.

We are also committed to excellent, cutting edge professional development. For example, sending a Branches teacher to the North American Reggio Alliance Conference costs around $2,400. It’s not small, but it’s worth every penny. These conferences are game-changers—they inspire our educators to build on their strengths and try innovative approaches. Those fresh ideas light up our classrooms and help every child thrive.

-Growing Our Reach Beyond Branches

And here’s the thing—what we’re doing at Branches isn’t just for us. We share what we’ve learned with educators far beyond the walls of our school.

Here’s a great example: With just $1K, we can give online professional development to 10 teachers working in underserved/under-resourced areas educating at-risk youth. That’s 10 teachers, each impacting dozens (if not hundreds) of children, all bringing Reggio-inspired, child-centered practices into their own classrooms. Or, with $400, we can send a teacher working in underserved/under resourced areas educating at-risk youth to a Reggio-inspired two-day conference.

Let’s Grow Something Beautiful

Here's where you come in. This Giving Tuesday, what you give—big or small—helps us support teachers, nurture our children, and lift up families when they need it most. Here’s what your generosity could do:

• $175: Sponsors a teacher or early childhood education student for a full-day Reggio-inspired seminar, including materials and meals.
• $500: Helps two of our teachers enroll in early childhood or art classes at a community college.
• $2,400: Sends one teacher to a two-day Reggio-inspired conference, covering fees, travel, and lodging, so they can bring new ideas back to our children.
• $6K - $7K: Funds a life-changing week-long trip for one of our teachers to the International Reggio Conference in Reggio Emilia, Italy. This covers airfare, food, conference fees and lodging.

Think of your donation as planting seeds. Each gift, no matter the size, grows into something much bigger. It strengthens classrooms, keeps children connected to learning, and supports teachers and families—turning generosity into something lasting and beautiful.

Ready to Make an Impact?

To give, visit https://www.branchesatelierfund.com or stop by the Branches office. Even small gifts make an enormous difference.

Share Your Gift and Inspire Others

After you give, don’t forget to spread the word. Share your generosity on social media and encourage friends, coworkers, and family to join you. Use the hashtags #supportbranches and #givingtuesday to show your support, and tag us in your stories. Whether it’s a quick post, a photo, or a personal story about why you gave, your message matters. Imagine how many people could be moved to help just because you shared.

Curious to see more of the amazing things we’re building together? Visit https://www.branchesatelier.com to learn about how we’re creating a brighter future for young learners and families.

Thank You for Growing With Us

On behalf of our children, families, and teachers, thank you. It’s people like you who help our community thrive. Together, we’re creating something extraordinary that will keep growing for years to come.

With gratitude, Patricia Hunter McGrath Executive DirectorBranches Atelier Schoolpatricia@branchesatelier.com

P.S. This Giving Tuesday, let’s turn kindness into action. Your donation has an instant and lasting impact—and you’ll see it in the smiles and creativity of our children every day.