Trying Together’s 2026 advocacy fellows met for the first time on January 27 to kick off their immersive, yearlong advocacy journey. 

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The meeting – which was held virtually due to Pittsburgh weather conditions, but will be held in person in subsequent months – introduced the fellows to Trying Together’s policy team and each other.

“Over the course of the year, we see our fellows develop a lot of growth and confidence in using their voices to support their own work,” said Executive Director Cara Ciminillo during her introduction to the fellows. “Our job is to help you all feel good about what you do and have the necessary tools, skills, and knowledge to get the recognition and the investments for the work you’re doing every day.”

The fellows represent a wide variety of careers and experience in the early childhood education field – including educators, child care program owners, administrative professionals, researchers, early learning consultants, parents, and more.

Many of the new fellows expressed interest in elevating child care as a profession and working to help policymakers learn how they can help child care programs.

Following introductions, attendees learned about the history of early childhood education and the various investments achieved over the decades, including the $25 million in additional funding that was allocated for early childhood education in the most recent Pennsylvania state budget as a result of advocacy. 

During the course of the fellowship, participants will work their way through an advocacy workbook by mapping out their advocacy journey, reflecting on goals, practicing real strategies, tracking their progress, and building toward their final projects. Their final presentations will conclude with a gallery walk in November.