Sargent Shriver passed away at the age of 95 on January 18. Among other remarkable public service roles, Shriver was a pioneer for the early childhood education movement. As the leader of President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty, Shriver spearheaded the creation of Head Start in 1965—then and now, our nation’s largest and most critical federally-funded education program for children under five.
Shriver innately understood the benefits of a strong and early foundation in education. He recognized that early childhood education programs were one of the smartest and most cost-efficient investments our country could make in our children’s future—especially the most vulnerable ones.
More than 45 years later, the same remains true: Early Head Start and Head Start programs have the power to change lives. Because of Shriver, Head Start has helped create brighter futures for more than 27 million children. Head Start participants are better prepared for kindergarten, setting them on the path toward success in school, career and life. The First Five Years Fund is sharing real success stories with its new Our Head Start campaign. Hear more about the life-changing, life-long impact the program has had on Head Start alumni like entrepreneur Chuck Mills at OurHeadStart.org—and learn what you can do to protect Shriver’s legacy and our children’s future.