Skip to main content

Strolling Thunder Town Halls

Babies can’t vote, but you can.  

The candidates we elect this year will make crucial decisions on policies like child care, paid leave, economic supports, and other issues that directly impact the 11 million infants and toddlers in the United States and their families. 

But candidates— and reporters — are not talking enough about the issues that matter most to babies and their families.   

Join ZERO TO THREE for a series of conversations with families of infants and toddlers from across the country and hear about what really matters to them as they struggle with rising prices, accessing high-quality child care, and more. 

Child Care in America: Perspectives of Families Who Work in Child Care

September 18, 11:00 AM ET

What is the state of America’s child care system and how are parents who work in child care settings faring? How are low wages, high turnover, and other factors impacting the quality of care infants and toddlers receive? 

Hear from four families who work in the child care sector about the challenges they have faced in accessing care and running businesses that provide care. 

Who: 

  • Jenny Castillo, Bentonville, Arkansas 
  • Ilia Gilligan, Williston, Vermont 
  • Valencia Nelson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 
  • Amber Osowski, Grafton, North Dakota  
  • Miriam Calderón, ZERO TO THREE (Moderator)
     

Register here

No family should pay more than they can afford for the child care they need and their baby deserves.

 

“As a mom, I had to quit my job and open my own child care to find the quality care I demanded. As the owner I struggle to provide the best care I can because this industry is still looked at as glorified babysitting. I struggle as a boss because, with little support from government and the constant pressure to not charge families what we in child care deserve to be paid, I can’t offer my staff a livable wage or benefits. It’s a frustrating circle of events, and I hope someone has the courage to stand up and say, “little children matter! This isn’t right!”

Amber Osowski, Grafton, North Dakota

Concerns of Latine Families. Racism, Access to Child Care, and Economic Security (Spanish Language)

September 25, 11:00 AM ET 

A quarter of all children in the United States are Latine and the proportion of Latine babies continues to increase. Yet, among all parents, Latine parents are the most worried about the environment in which their young children are growing up (70% of Latine parents, compared to 55% overall) and about receiving poor care and education (42%). 

Hear what Latine families are saying would help them ensure their babies get a strong start to life. 

Who: 

  • Cruz Bueno, Warwick, Rhode Island 
  • Stefany Paredes, Tucson, Arizona 
  • Esmeralda Candelario, Pomona, California 
  • Aaron Padilla, Idaho Falls, Idaho 
  • Miriam Calderón, ZERO TO THREE (Moderator) 

 

Register here

Children of color are far less likely to know economic security and the opportunities that wealth affords their white peers.

 

“This is a great nation because of the people like us who wake up and go to work each day, participate in our communities, and love and give the best to our kids. And I know that our great country can do more for families with small children so that we as parents can thrive and give our kids our best.”

Cruz Bueno, Warwick, Rhode Island 

“I would like to continue studying and gaining skills so that I can have better employment opportunities in the future but I wish the strain of financial hardships wasn’t so difficult to manage and that it didn’t impede on my ability to raise my daughter.”

Esmeralda Candelario, Pomona, California 

Economic Security

October 1, 11:00 AM ET

It’s expensive to raise a child. From child care and health care to food and housing. While inflation is decreasing, prices remain high and continue to impact American families and the development of our nation’s children. Confronting the costs of raising families has strong bi-partisan support – 87% of parents with infants and toddlers say that addressing the needs of children and families should be either a top or important priority.  

Learn what families are saying would help them tackle rising prices and help ensure their babies get a strong start to life. 

Who: 

  • Jessica Deres, Florence, Massachusetts 
  • Tanesha Smith, Douglasville, Georgia 
  • Amber Summers, Salem, Illinois 
  • Miriam Calderón, ZERO TO THREE (Moderator)
     

Register here

Too many families with young children lack the financial security needed to thrive

 

“The enhanced Child Tax Credit (from the American Rescue Plan Act) helped pull our family out of poverty for a short amount of time. We live in a small area, so that money to my family was a house payment, another month to stay in our home. It brought financial stability and stress relief.”

Amber Summers, Salem, Illinois 

“After our baby was born premature, we exhausted ourselves being in the NICU while working full time to make sure NICU bills were paid.”

Jessica Deres, Florence, Massachusetts 

Election Resources