Best friends dream big together and create non-profit preschool
by Maggie Riddle - WeINSPIRE Reporter
Greenville, NC - Laurie Harrell and Ellen Safrit met back in 1996 and have been best friends ever since. As new mothers, they had much in common and they would soon discover a shared dream that would bring them even closer.
According to the United States Department of Education, “...many children enter kindergarten a year or more behind their classmates in academic and social-emotional skills. For some children, starting out school from behind can trap them in a cycle of continuous catch-up in their learning.”
As an elementary school teacher, Harrell was constantly surrounded by children. After years of walking alongside her students and witnessing many of them struggle, she realized the importance of quality learning opportunities prior to entering kindergarten. As she continued teaching, she developed a dream to serve her community through starting a free preschool program; but she couldn’t do it alone so she turned to her best friend for support.
“That was something that was planted in me years before I took action because I just didn't know what to do or how I was going to start a non-profit,” Harell said. “Basically it felt like the right time so I approached Ellen.”
Laurie Harrell and Ellen Safrit with the Wee Care van. Photo contributed by Wee Care.
After joining together to create the vision for Wee Care, Harrell said it took them about a year to launch as they navigated how to establish their non-profit. She said before they opened up a classroom, they needed to gain funding, create a board and get a 501c3 tax exemption.
Although slightly hesitant at first, Harell said this process allowed them to learn a lot and strengthened their relationship as friends.
“We don’t respond to the obstacles as reasons to avoid new opportunities,” Safrit said. “We treat them with the same, ‘sounds good, why not try this,’ attitude.”
Harrell said during her many years of working in education, she observed that many skills taught in a preschool setting, children are expected to know upon entering kindergarten. These skills, she said, may include social cues and fine motor skills. She and Safrit strive to make sure all children are fully prepared to walk into the kindergarten classroom
Unfortunately, today, the COVID-19 pandemic has created new obstacles for Wee Care. Harrell and Safrit said one of the biggest disappointments is that they have not been able to have volunteers since the pandemic began.
“The kids get these fabulous relationships with these amazing people and that’s really fun to watch them develop these trusting relationships with adults,” Harrell said. “So we’re really missing that this year.”
Wearing a mask all day has been another difficult adjustment for Wee Care. Safrit said the children often communicate through facial expressions and body language so it took some time for the children to adapt to not being able to see their teachers faces when communicating with one another.
Laurie Harrell with a Wee Care student having fun in the classroom. Photo contributed by Wee Care
Although the pandemic has brought some complications, Harrell said it has also impacted them in positive ways too. She said the awareness of the pandemic has brought new learning opportunities to the classroom such as practicing hand washing.
14 years later, Harrell and Safrit continue to live out their dream as their non-profit continues to serve children in the Raleigh area. They now work towards expanding Wee Care and hope to soon educate others on how to start similar programs in their communities.
“You can’t spend as much time as we have together without finding that the love of this friendship is as essential to your life as yours is to theirs,” Safrit said.”
For more information on how to donate or volunteer, check the Wee Care website!
