22^nd annual 5K race is expected to raise more than $35,000

WASHINGTON, DC, April 17, 2019 — On April 27, the Junior League of Washington (JLW) will sponsor a 5K race for Bright Beginnings, Inc., a nonprofit organization that operates early childhood and family learning centers for children and families experiencing homelessness. More than 500 participants are expected at the race and event organizers hope to raise more than $35,000. The funds raised by this event will provide critically-needed financial resources for Bright Beginning’s educational, therapeutic, health, and family services.

Event Details:

Date: April 27, 2019
Time:  8 a.m.
Location: Anacostia Park 1900 Anacostia Dr. SE
Washington, DC 20020

Participants can register at http://bit.ly/bb5k2019 until Thursday, April 25.

“The Junior League of Washington is pleased to once again support the critical mission of Bright Beginnings by hosting the Bright Beginnings 5K,” said JLW President Tycely Williams. “Bright Beginnings, which the Junior League of Washington established in 1990 to meet the needs of homeless families in DC, is an organization we are honored to support with JLW’s trained volunteers and fundraising each year through the 5K.”

For over 28 years, Bright Beginnings has helped thousands of children experiencing homelessness by providing them and their families with quality care and support during times of hardship and transition. The organization offers year-round, developmentally-appropriate early childhood education services for children birth to five years of age, at no cost to their families.

“Bright Beginnings appreciates the ongoing support that Junior League of Washington provides to us by hosting the annual 5k and sponsoring other activities,” said Dr. Marla Dean, executive director of Bright Beginnings. “JLW’s support is invaluable as the staff of BBI works diligently to ensure that we provide a safe, nurturing environment; that the children are prepared to excel in kindergarten; and that parents are becoming self-sufficient and learning to thrive.”

ABOUT THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF WASHINGTON                             

The Junior League of Washington (www.jlw.org) is a nonprofit organization of more than 2,300 women who annually donate thousands of dollars and volunteer hours to the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. JLW is committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. JLW focuses its financial and volunteer resources on the issues of literacy – adult, child, and cultural – and works with a diverse group of community partners. Since 1912, JLW has donated more than five million hours of direct volunteer service and more than $5.9 million to the Washington, DC, community.

ABOUT BRIGHT BEGINNINGS, INC.

Bright Beginnings, Inc. (www.bbidc.org) is a nonprofit organization that operates early childhood and family learning centers for children and families experiencing homelessness in Washington, DC. Its two centers offer full-day, year-round and developmentally-appropriate early childhood education programming for children birth to five years of age, at no cost to their families. The program is designed to (1) provide young children experiencing homelessness with a safe, nurturing educational environment; (2) prepare them to enter kindergarten ready to learn; and (3) support their parents in stabilizing their home lives and becoming self-sufficient.