TEP provided the first corporate contribution to expand Pima County’s early education program with a $100,000 donation to the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona.

The donation to Pima Early Education Program Scholarship, or PEEPs, will expand access to high-quality preschool education for more children and families. The $100,000 donation is the equivalent of covering 13 scholarships for preschoolers.

PEEPs is a countywide initiative created in 2021 to expand access to preschool for children from income-eligible families while strengthening the supply of high-quality early childhood programs in Pima County.

TEP’s leadership as the first corporate sponsor is intended to be a catalyst for other businesses and local partners to come together to build on the success of PEEPs to ensure more children have access. The United Way announced the “Supercharging PEEPs” effort at an Oct. 15 event, which included TEP CEO Susan Gray and Pima County supervisors Rex Scott and Andres Cano, who have championed early education.

“Strong communities begin with strong opportunities for young learners and that’s why TEP is honored to partner with United Way and Pima County in an effort that helps more children get the strong start they deserve,” Gray said. “When children have the support they need early in life, they are better prepared to learn, grow and achieve their potential.”

Last year, PEEPs directly served nearly 1,500 children and, together with other preschool assistance programs, helped almost 5,000 children access preschool through public early education investments.

But there is a greater need: Only about 38 percent of the estimated 13,032 children in Pima County who meet the income eligibility criteria were served.

Principal Jill Ronsman of Warren Elementary School said she sees the need directly in her own school. While her school runs one preschool room, a waitlist for the program could fill an additional preschool classroom.

The scholarships greatly help families. One parent is a school employee, who was able to keep her job as a special education aide because her child was eligible for preschool childcare. “Our family members are grateful to have their kiddos come all day,” Ronsman said.

Over the past year, community partners have participated in several community conversations to better understand the current early childhood landscape, examine the gap between the number of children who need assistance and the resources currently available, and explore how public and private investments could work together to expand access.

“We are deeply grateful to TEP for their longstanding partnership and for leading the way with this significant first corporate investment in Supercharging PEEPs,” said Vanecia Kerr, President and CEO of United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona.

“This milestone builds on Pima County’s pioneering work to expand equitable access to high-quality preschool and reflects a year of collaboration across our community,” she said. “TEP’s commitment is an investment in our children and our community’s economic future, and we hope it inspires more businesses and philanthropies to join this shared effort.”

Parents, too, are grateful for TEP’s support.

Miriam Acuña, who works as an Administrative Assistant for United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, said she is grateful that her two children qualified for childcare assistance. Her daughter, who turns 5 in November and qualifies for PEEPs, and her 10-month-old son are enrolled in a childcare program in the same building where she works.

Because her children have access to childcare, Acuña was able to complete her community health worker training to enhance her work skills.

“I feel very lucky and very blessed because not everyone has that privilege,” Acuna said. “TEP are friends. Due to their contribution, we can get more families on board. We are very excited, very thankful, and very grateful.”

Read more from United Way about TEP’s donation.