About Early Matters
Building a Strong Start for Every Child in El Paso
Early Matters El Paso is a community network founded in July 2020, bringing together partners from across sectors who are committed to giving young children the best possible start in life. By using local data, aligning on shared goals, and coordinating resources, the network focuses on improving and measuring early childhood education throughout the El Paso region—joining similar efforts in cities like Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio.
Mission
Communities working together to ensure equitable access to high quality early childhood education that sets the foundation for lifelong learning and success.
Vision
Every child in the El Paso Region is ready for success.
Key Focus Areas:
Quality and sustainability of the childcare industry
Quality Pre-K through 3rd grade public education.
Kindergarten readiness.
Quality early childhood teachers.
Meet our Executive Director!
Ambar Calvillo-Rivera
Coalition builder, advocate, and organizer, Ambar Calvillo-Rivera is the Founding Executive Director of Early Matters El Paso — born and raised in Northeast El Paso and bringing more than fifteen years of experience advancing education, civic, and health equity at the national level. Her career has been defined by a commitment to building the partnerships and power needed to make communities stronger.
She has held senior roles at City Fund, Voto Latino, United Way of El Paso County, the Democratic National Committee, Enroll America, and Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and co-founded CR Strategies LLC, a consultancy supporting civic and nonprofit clients nationwide.
Ambar holds a Master's in Educational Leadership and Organizational Learning from the University of New Mexico and a Bachelor's in Organizational and Corporate Communication from UTEP. She is fluent in English and Spanish.
Members of Early Matters El Paso
Partners for Texas Families
Early Matters is a statewide collaborative of business, civic, education, nonprofit and philanthropic leaders dedicated to economic mobility and prosperity for all Texas families through strategic investments in both policies and practices that support children birth – age 8.
Early Matters El Paso joins the collaborative efforts of Greater Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, and Waco.
Have questions or need help getting started?
Whether you’re a parent looking for resources or an organization interested in partnering with us, we’d love to connect! Fill out the form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
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