Blog
Blog
Honoring a Champion of Early Care and Education
We are deeply grateful for the lasting support and leadership of former Governor Jim B. Hunt Jr., a true champion of early care and education in North Carolina. His vision and commitment helped transform how our state supports young children and the families who care for them.
In 2007, Early Years proudly celebrated a major milestone with the completion of the Jim and Carolyn Hunt Child Care Resource Center in Durham. We named the 27,000-square-foot facility in recognition of Governor Hunt’s pioneering early childhood initiative, Smart Start. This program is a nationally recognized model that helps prepare children for school.
The center became home to Early Years’ Child Care Resource and Referral division as well as Durham’s Partnership for Children. By co-locating these agencies, families and child care providers gained access to a one-stop resource center designed to meet a wide range of child care needs, strengthening support across our community.
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Governor Hunt reflected on the meaning of the moment, saying, “I don’t think anything touches having a child-care resource center named for us and to help all these little children. What this is all about is helping all those little children become all that they can be.”
Governor Hunt’s legacy is also honored through the James and Carolyn Hunt Early Childhood Leadership Award. Established by Early Years in 1995, the award recognizes North Carolinians who make a meaningful difference in the lives of young children across the state. It was named in honor of Governor Hunt and Mrs. Hunt in recognition of their many years of dedication and service to early childhood education and advocacy.
As we reflect on Governor Hunt’s passing, we express our deepest appreciation for his extraordinary contributions. His compassion, leadership and unwavering belief in the potential of every child continue to guide and inspire our work. The center that bears his name and the award that carries his legacy forward stand as enduring reminders of his commitment to ensuring all children have the opportunity to thrive.
We remain deeply appreciative of his contributions and are proud to carry forward his vision for generations to come.
