The Bright Beginnings event at Rutgers University – Newark welcomed 300 families with children aged 2-5 for workshops on enrollment, bilingual education, and other school services to prepare students for success. The conference featured a resource fair with over 15 schools and partners, including the New Jersey Children’s Foundation (NJCF). “At the Children’s Foundation, we know that Newark has some of the best schools in the country and that our city can be a model for others when it comes to serving students from all economic backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, and learning styles,” said Barbara Martinez, NJCF executive director. The event aligns with recent recommendations from the Newark Youth Opportunity Network, which advocate for universal, high-quality early childcare and affordable before- and after-school programs to support children’s safety and learning.