A Place of Our Own
TV for people who care for kids

A Place of Our Own is a daily television series, a Website, and an extensive outreach program devoted to the unique needs of people who care for children. A Place of Our Own shares ways for us all to help children acquire cognitive, social, emotional and physical skills, as well as nurture language and literacy development.

The series responds to the needs and workplace realities of people who spend their days caring for children by including topics such as building partnerships with families, reducing stress, and completing paperwork. A Place of Our Own's support for child care providers recognizes the importance of their roles in the way children learn and develop. By supporting these important people and providing them with the resources they need, we better help our children prepare for school.

Airs weekdays on WGTE TV at 5:30 a.m.
and weekdays on WGTE Family at 3:00 p.m.

WGTE Public Media would like to thank all of the people who nominated a special caregiver for the BP/ A Place of Own Caregiver Recognition Awards. The Ready to Learn community advisory committee has selected the winners:

Kjelli Holmes   

Kjelli Holmes is a native of California and came to Toledo because she learned it was a good family oriented town to settle in, buy a home and raise children. She and her husband Kevin have been married for 13 years and are the parents of three children. While Kjelli studied business administration in college, after working in a youth center, she found the joy of teaching children. She is a Type A provider and feels lots of pride when a parent tells her that she has helped a child become "kindergarten ready." She is honored to touch the lives of children.

Karen McElvene   

Karen McElvene has always lived in Northwest Ohio. Her family includes her fiance Ron, her daughter, Kara, and granddaughter, Jaye’Lynn. For 16 years she has been working in the field of family childcare. Her goal is to provide a warm, cozy and loving environment that helps soothe tears that might come from both mother and child while the two are apart from each other. She is the author of a manual called, "The Recipe for Having a Successful Home Based Day Care Business: How to Mix All the Ingredients Together."

Corrine Bressler

Corrine Bressler lives in Bowling Green, Ohio with her husband and two children - a high school senior daughter and a son who is in second grade. Corrine has always worked with children in some capacity and says, "home childcare fits me perfectly." She believes that it is an honor to open up her home and heart to her daycare families. "What better job is there," she asks, "than having the honor of helping someone raise their child?"

Julie Plummer 

Julie Plummer has been caring for children in her home since 1984. She lives in Defiance with her husband, who was her high school sweetheart, and together they are the parents of two grown sons. She says that after her sons were born, it seemed natural to make a career out of guiding children. She found that getting to stay at home with her children was a win-win situation.

Wanda Schaffner 

Wanda Schaffner is originally from Ohio City, Ohio but has lived in Northwest Ohio most of her life. She has five grown children, and 12 grandchildren, three of whom are slated to arrive very soon. For the last eight years she has been caring for children in her home, after working for sometime in a daycare center. She enjoys being at home and welcoming the children every morning.

Donna Sedlock

Donna Sedlock has always lived in the same West Toledo neighborhood. She has been married to her husband for 42 years. They have two children, 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. She was one of the very first Type A Homes in Northwest Ohio, receiving that certification in 1992. Donna has a CDA, is certified by the National Family Childcare Association, and is working toward her associate degree at Owens Community College. She says, "I am humbled to have a job where the number one requirement is loving children."

We would also like to recognize the nominees:

• Rachele Billian, Toledo
• Suzette Cason, Toledo
• Leona Chenault, Toledo
• Pam Gilbert, Toledo
• Helen McGee, Toledo
• Kathleen Okonski, Toledo
• Cheryl Waters-Sherer, Toledo
• Kathleen and Willie Miller, Toledo
• Crystal Neal, Toledo

Congratulations to each of you!

Award Information
Each of the six winners:
•  Received an invitation to host a table of 10 at a luncheon held at Angola Gardens on Saturday, March 15, 2008.
•  Participated in a video profile which will air on WGTE TV, the Web, and was featured at the luncheon.
•  Received prizes and an award.
•  Had the opportunity to submit their nomination for the Toledo Area Association's Shining Star Awards.

If you have any questions about the BP/ A Place of Own Caregiver Recognition Awards, please call 419-380-4638.

A Place of Our Own Caregiver Recognition Awards have been made possible by the generous support of BP and KCET.