The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce was named the 2025 recipient of the VOICE for Children Vision Award by the Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC), during its annual VOICE for Children Celebration held Friday, April 4, at the Hershey Lodge.
The award, presented at a gala emceed by CBS 21 evening news anchor Jasmine Brooks, honors individuals and organizations whose efforts have significantly improved the quality of early childhood education across Pennsylvania. Since 2011, PennAEYC has used the event to spotlight those making a meaningful impact in early care settings. This year, four individuals and the Schuylkill Chamber were recognized for their outstanding contributions.
PennAEYC Executive Director Jen DeBell highlighted the importance of ongoing advocacy in the child care sector.
“Over the last few years, child care and the recognition of its key role in not only supporting healthy child development but also being imperative for parents to work and its positive impact on our economy, has led the conversation allowing our sector to celebrate some real successes,” DeBell said. “But those steps forward would not have been possible without the critical role champions have played in advocating for high-quality early care and education settings. We were excited to celebrate the Schuylkill Chamber tonight along with all those who are part of the early childhood profession.”
The VOICE for Children Award is Pennsylvania’s only statewide honor recognizing grassroots leaders who are advancing the quality of care for young children. Recipients are chosen for their dedication to high-quality early learning opportunities and tireless support for the child care workforce.
The Schuylkill Chamber was recognized for its innovative and collaborative approach to solving the child care workforce crisis. In partnership with other local chambers across Pennsylvania and organizations such as ReadyNation, the Chamber has championed funding initiatives for teacher recruitment and retention programs, directly benefiting early childhood educators.
Accepting the award on behalf of the Chamber were President and CEO Robert S. Carl, Jr., and Executive Vice President Samantha M. Chivinski.
Steve Doster, State Director of ReadyNation, praised their leadership. “The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce has led the charge among local chambers across Pennsylvania to get them to speak with one voice in support of solving the teacher shortage crisis that plagues child care programs every day,” said Doster. “As a working mom and dedicated grandfather, Samantha and Bob do this work because they see first-hand how child care teachers are the workforce behind the workforce.”