Garrett Williamson C.A.R.E.S!

Garrett Williamson Is Committed to a Future that is Safe and Accepting of Everyone

Has Appreciation for a Diverse and Loving Environment

Shows Respect for the Dignity and Worth of All Living Things

And

Supports Education for Each Child

In 1910, a brilliant and prescient woman, Elizabeth Garrett, decided to bequeath her family farm “for the support and maintenance of poor children and deserving women.” These pastoral 240 acres (the last original land preserve in Newtown Square) have hosted thousands of children who run across fields, hike trails, and explore the woods – all while learning about the value of friendship and the land.

110 years later, Elizabeth’s endowment is more relevant than ever. Her generosity evolved into Garrett Williamson’s award-winning childcare, school, and camp, which welcome all children to engage in unique educational and recreational programs, and foster loving connections within the GW community. The curriculum covers ages 6 weeks through Kindergarten, and aligns with Pennsylvania’s State Early Learning Standards. The standards promote emotional, social, language, reading, math, science, art and imaginative play skills – all with a hands-on approach in small group settings.

Elizabeth’s vision to support the needy requires the GW team to be both resourceful and serious about their stewardship. Besides caring deeply for the children (the team strives to obtain scholarships for almost half the enrollees) the staff ensures that every child, teacher, employee, and visitor to GW is seen, heard, and valued.

While the pandemic curtailed many programs this year, Garrett Williamson has been assiduous and successful with safety protocols, taking full advantage of the vast amount of outdoor space, and enrollment has returned to almost normal levels again! Additionally, the excellent 4-H program that operates in the Garrett Williamson’s Family Barn, built in 1794, has ramped up their programs for all their clubs – from caring for the livestock in the pastures - to zooming with sewing club members who lovingly created Halloween superhero costumes for children in a homeless shelter.

The value of a safe and welcoming childhood environment is well-documented, and Elizabeth Garrett’s Quaker precepts continue to support the concepts of peace, tolerance, and diversity. GW’s staff have been thrilled to reinforce those beliefs with new inclusive programs for kids – like reading Books that C.A.R.E.!

C.A.R.E. stands for Garrett Williamson’s Core Values: Commitment, Appreciation, Respect, and Education for every child and family. In the spirit of working together to make a more unified and safe space for everyone, GW teachers read a new book in class each week to celebrate and explore diversity. The first selection in the series was the marvelous All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold. It set the tone for many wonderful conversations and programs this year!

Garrett Williamson is a 501C 3 charitable organization, and exists to create an environment where every child, regardless of their financial situation, has high-quality, life-changing experiences using the historic property as their canvas for learning. We welcome volunteers, donors, and all interested parties to contact us about the many opportunities to support Elizabeth Garrett’s vision, and get involved in Garrett Williamson! Visit www.garrettwilliamson.org , call 610.353.7690, or email marketing@garrettwilliamson.org! Donations are appreciated! https://garrettwilliamson.org/about-us/support/

“Long-term social contact – in person or online – with (diverse) groups is one of the most robust ways to reduce prejudice and discrimination, be it implicit or explicit.

Calvin Lai, Director of Research at Project Implicit, Harvard https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/aboutus.html