Child Care is a Right...Not a Privilege.
We believe in a future where every voice in the child care community is heard, honored, and empowered. Western New York Child Care Action Team (WNY CCAT) is fighting for equity, justice, and the transformation of the child care system — with parents, providers, and advocates leading the charge.
42%
New York households with children have had a family member leave the workforce due to the inability to find or afford child care
Families in New York spend an average of 30% of their annual income on child care, making it the second most expensive state for child care in the U.S.
30%
New York State's census tracts are classified as child care deserts.
60%
Of children in New York State lived in poverty
18%
About WNY Childcare Action Team
WNY CCAT was founded in 2019 by three trailblazers — Ruth Cleary, Sofia Mado, and Vonetta T. Rhodes — with a simple but radical vision: to make child care equitable, accessible, and just. We’re a collective of parents, providers, and professionals working hand-in-hand to shift systems and ensure that child care is treated as the civil right it is.
Why Advocacy Matters
Behind every statistic is a real child, a real family — and real consequences. That’s why WNY CCAT doesn’t just raise awareness — we raise our voices. Through statewide Legislative Days, public hearings, rallies, and direct action, we ensure that the voices of parents and providers are not only heard but respected in the rooms where decisions are made.
Our advocacy is about more than protest — it’s about policy change. It’s about showing up at the Capitol with stories, data, and solutions. It’s about building coalitions, influencing budgets, and reshaping laws that directly impact our communities. Because when we organize, we don’t just react — we rewrite the rules.
HOW YOU CAN HELP.
Change doesn’t happen alone — and we need YOU in this fight.
There are many ways to support the movement for equitable, affordable child care in Western New York. Whether you have time, resources, or simply a passion for justice, here’s how you can get involved:
Join us at an event
From rallies to roundtables, our events are where voices rise, stories are heard, and strategies are born. Check our Events Page for upcoming opportunities to gather, grow, and advocate.
