09-04-2025
Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce receives Voice for Children Award
HERSHEY — The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce was honored for its efforts to address shortages in the workforce at child care centers recently by the Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children.
The chamber received the PennSEYC Voice for Children Award at the organization's annual gala in Hershey Lodge.
It is the only statewide award in Pennsylvania that recognizes the work of grassroots leaders on behalf of early childhood education.
Jen DeBall, PennSEYC executive director, recognized the key role child care plays in child development, the ability to allow parents to work and the overall economy.
'These steps forward would not have been possible without the critical role champions have played in advocating for high-quality early care and educational settings,' she said. 'We are excited to celebrate the Schuylkill Chamber and all those who are part of the early childhood profession.'
Robert S. Carl Jr., chamber president and CEO, and Samantha M. Chivinski, executive vice president, accepted the award.
'The award is special as we continue our across-the-commonwealth advocacy for child care teacher recruitment and retention,' Carl said, 'encouraged by the $55 million allocated in the state budget by Gov. Josh Shapiro.'
The chamber is committed to preserving the appropriation through the legislative budget process as an important first step in an ongoing advocacy to bolster child care in the state.
'We are proud to lead a growing coalition of chambers of commerce and economic development organizations across the state who understand the priority of child care,' Carl added.
Steve Doster, ReadyNation state director, noted the Schuylkill chamber's role in marshalling chambers to work for a solution to the teacher shortage in child care centers.
'Samantha and Bob do this work,' he said, 'because they see first-hand how child care teachers are the workforce behind the workforce.'
