A lifeline for local families

As in many communities across the country, the rising cost of childcare is among the most pressing challenges facing working families in the Quad Cities. Now, national support for programs like Head Start is becoming less certain. For many parents, especially those earning low wages or working non-traditional hours, access to affordable, high-quality early education is out of reach.

But community nonprofits are stepping up to respond—and leading the way is Project NOW, a grant recipient of the Quad Cities Community Foundation. Through their Head Start program, Project NOW provides a free preschool program and a crucial support system for entire families, ensuring both children and parents can thrive. Working in Rock Island, Mercer, and Henry Counties in Illinois, the organization is a model of what it means to lift families with compassion, strategy, and relentless hope.

“We don’t just offer a free preschool program,” said Andrea Flannery, director of Head Start at Project NOW. “We invest in families—because if the family isn’t secure, the child won’t be successful. That’s the heart of our approach.”

Project NOW’s mission is about building community. Through a range of programs that include homelessness prevention, reentry support, medical respite, workforce development, and early childhood education, the organization tackles the multi-layered barriers facing local families. 

In recent years, Project NOW has received support from various Community Foundation grants. This includes a recent $2,000 grant from the Teens for Tomorrow program. “We want all local families to have the opportunity to succeed,” said Kelly Thompson, vice president of grantmaking and community initiatives at the Community Foundation. “Project NOW has been doing that work for decades. They are a leader in our sector for what they provide for families, and through their commitment to partnership and collaboration. Their work is a testament to the power and vision of nonprofits.”

Through Head Start, Project NOW promotes the school readiness of preschool-aged children. But that’s just the beginning. “We give comprehensive support: health, development, nutrition, and emotional support,” said Flannery. “We screen for red flags, get families connected to dentists, mental health professionals, and set goals together through home visits.”

For working parents, a flexible and affordable preschool program can make all the difference. One example: a mother working third shift relies on Head Start for six hours of daytime care. The services provided by Project NOW allow her to keep her job while her child is in a safe, nurturing environment with trained educators.

In cases like this, Project NOW provides a social service that benefits the family and the local economy. “Everything we do—housing, education, food programs—it all flows back into the Quad Cities,” said Mary McNeil, executive communications manager. “We are building a stronger workforce, a healthier population, and a better future for the region one family at a time.”