Keeping Families Steady in Times of Crisis: Ellen’s Fund
At Pike Market Child Care & Preschool, we know that families don’t stop needing care when life becomes unpredictable. In fact, it’s often during the hardest moments that consistent, loving care for children matters most.
That belief is at the heart of Ellen’s Fund.
Established in 2012 in honor of former PMCCP Executive Director Ellen Greene, Ellen’s Fund was created with the specific intention of supporting PMCCP families experiencing short-term financial hardship. The fund was made possible by the generosity and vision of one of our longtime supporters, DeeAnn Burman, whose deep care for this community continues to shape how we show up for families today.
What Is Ellen’s Fund?
Ellen’s Fund provides temporary tuition assistance to families who are navigating unexpected crises—situations that can arise suddenly and leave even the most stable households struggling to stay afloat.
These situations may include:
A medical emergency
A fire or housing disruption
Job loss or reduced work hours
An inability to work due to illness or caregiving responsibilities
The loss of a parent or primary caregiver
The purpose of the fund is not long-term subsidy, but short-term relief—a bridge that allows families time to stabilize, grieve, recover, and remain enrolled at PMCCP while they get back on their feet.
For children, this continuity matters. Staying connected to familiar caregivers, routines, and a trusted community provides emotional security at a time when everything else may feel uncertain.
Why This Fund Matters
When families face crisis, the loss of child care can compound the stress they are already experiencing. Ellen’s Fund helps prevent that spiral by offering support when it’s most needed—quietly, respectfully, and with dignity.
We use the fund sparingly and intentionally. Each request is carefully reviewed, and assistance is provided only when circumstances align with the fund’s purpose. Because of this thoughtful stewardship, Ellen’s Fund has remained a vital safety net for families over the years—but it depends entirely on community support to continue.
How You Can Help
To keep Ellen’s Fund available for families in need, we are asking for your support.
Your contribution—at any level—helps ensure that when a family encounters an unexpected crisis, we can say yes: yes to continuity, yes to stability, and yes to standing beside them when it matters most.
Together, we can honor the legacy of care that Ellen’s Fund represents and continue showing families that they are not alone.
And be sure to include a note with your gift designating it to Ellen's Fund.
Donations to Ellen’s Fund are restricted and used solely for short-term tuition assistance for PMCCP families in crisis.