Last month, with support from Massachusetts General Hospital’s Community Health Impact Funds United Way’s Shared Services program held a moving graduation ceremony at Project Hope for new family childcare providers from Boston and Revere.  

Shared Services is expanding economic opportunity for family childcare educators, primarily Black and Latina women, by helping them move from pre-licensing to sustainable business ownership. Through the program’s small-business incubator model, educators receive one-on-one coaching, and training in marketing, taxes, financial management, and even retirement planning. 

With this support from MGH, Shared Services is helping to launch new family childcare businesses, strengthen the early education workforce, expand quality programs, and support working families in their own neighborhoods. 

The celebration was a powerful reminder of the dedication and resilience of our early educators. Two graduates shared what the experience meant to them: 

“Today, we are celebrating much more than the completion of a program; we are celebrating a journey of effort, perseverance, and growth.  I would like to sincerely congratulate all of my colleagues who participated in and successfully completed this licensing program. 

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Mass General Hospital and United Way for their constant support and strong commitment to educational and social development. Thanks to their support, this program has been possible and has allowed many of us to access high-quality training.  

I would also like to thank the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) team for their dedication, guidance, and professionalism. Their contribution has been essential in preparing new professionals in the field of early education and childcare an essential sector for the holistic development of our children and the future of our communities. 

In closing, I encourage my colleagues to continue on this path with enthusiasm, commitment, and a strong sense of responsibility. May this achievement be only the beginning of new opportunities and a positive impact on the lives of many children and families. Thank you all very much for your support, for believing in us, and for investing in the transformative power of education.” 

“For so many people, the hardest part of any new journey is simply knowing where to begin. This program did more than explain the process of obtaining a childcare license. It provided direction, encouragement, and belief when the path felt overwhelming. 

Because of all of you, what once felt complicated became manageable, and what felt intimidating became achievable. You made this venture easier to navigate, and for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

After retiring, I had a dream to finally do work that aligned with my heart and to make myself available to help the children in my community. In the summer of 2025, I took my first step by opening a food program for children in Mattapan.  

But as time went on, I realized something deeper. Many of the children I was serving didn’t just need food, they needed childcare. They needed safe spaces. They needed structure, guidance, and love during the hours when families were working hard to provide for them. 

The journey to becoming a licensed childcare provider was not easy, but it was worth it. 

This program reminded me that it’s never too late to pursue your purpose, that retirement does not mean rest from impact, and that our experiences, every chapter of our lives prepare us for what’s next.” 

For more information about United Way’s Shared Services, please contact mweber@supportunitedway.org or djacques@supportunitedway.org.