Houston, TX, Sept. 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Collaborative for Children will bring together business leaders, educators, and community advocates for its 2026 Building Blocks Luncheon on Thursday, September 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at River Oaks Country Club.
Building Blocks Luncheon September 24, 2026
This year's luncheon, "Hope Takes Root," will focus on what becomes possible when Greater Houston invests in children during the first five years of life.
"Hope takes root when children have access to high-quality learning experiences, families have trusted support, and educators have the tools to help every child grow," said Dr. Melanie Johnson, president and CEO of Collaborative for Children. "This luncheon is an opportunity for Houston to come together around solutions that are already producing results and to help those solutions reach more children and families."
The need remains significant. Only half of Greater Houston children begin kindergarten ready to learn, approximately one-third read on grade level by third grade, and only one in four ultimately earns a degree or workforce credential. These outcomes affect more than individual students. They influence the strength of the region's schools, workforce, and economy.
Through its network of 125 Centers of Excellence, Collaborative for Children works with child care providers, educators and families to strengthen early learning throughout Greater Houston. Current results show that 89% of participating teachers improve their instructional practices, 97% of children gain key school-readiness skills, and kindergarten-readiness outcomes triple. In addition, 85% of children in the program reach the highest social-emotional benchmarks.
The Building Blocks Luncheon will share the stories behind that progress while outlining Collaborative for Children's vision for expanding access to high-quality early education across the region.
Guests may purchase individual tickets for $250, making the luncheon accessible to supporters who may not be attending as part of a sponsored table. Tables, select sponsorship opportunities, and individual giving options are also available.
Event Details
What: Collaborative for Children's 2026 Building Blocks Luncheon
Theme: Championing Young Futures: Hope Takes Root
When: Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: River Oaks Country Club
Tickets: Individual tickets are $250
To purchase a ticket, reserve a table, or support the luncheon, visit Collaborative for Children's Building Blocks Luncheon page.
About Collaborative for Children
Collaborative for Children is the go-to resource for providing high-quality, future-focused early childhood education services, and the architect of a better, richer life for all kids. As the leading resource for early childhood education in the region, we are committed to shaping bold, innovative approaches that improve the learning opportunities for children in the first five years of life and to provide a strong foundation that prepares them for 21st-century success.
Press Inquiries
Chase Murphy
cmurphy [at] collabforchildren.org
713.600.1100
https://collabforchildren.org
2200 Post Oak Blvd, Suite 1000
Houston, Texas 77056 USA
A video accompanying this announcement is available here: https://youtube.com/watch?v=7cuTexvjC-E
