WEPA 2025 Recap: A Resounding Success!
A Movement Rooted in Power, Community, and Possibility
There are moments when a gathering becomes something more, something bigger than an event, more meaningful than a conference, and more lasting than a single day. The 2025 We Empower Providers Assembly (WEPA) was one of those moments.
What began just a few short years ago as a bold idea has grown into a powerful, collective force, bringing together family child care educators, leaders, and advocates from across the country. This year’s WEPA didn’t just meet expectations: it expanded them.
With over 200 family child care educators in attendance, representing not only Rhode Island but states as far as California, WEPA 2025 marked a turning point. It was a celebration of growth, a reflection of resilience, and a clear signal that this movement is gaining momentum.
And perhaps most importantly, it was a reminder: when educators come together, incredible things happen.
A Space Built By and For Family Child Care Educators
At its core, WEPA is about centering the voices, experiences, and expertise of family child care educators.
Too often, this field is overlooked or misunderstood—despite being a cornerstone of our communities and economy. Family child care providers are educators, entrepreneurs, caregivers, and leaders. They create safe, nurturing environments for children while supporting working families and building pathways for economic mobility.
WEPA exists to honor that reality.
From its earliest days (when just 140 participants gathered at the Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex) WEPA has been grounded in a simple but powerful idea: educators deserve a space where they are seen, heard, and celebrated.
Today, that idea has grown into Rhode Island’s only conference created specifically for family child care educators. And in 2025, that space expanded even further, welcoming voices from across the nation and deepening the sense of shared purpose that defines this community.
“Tranquila. Sin Miedo al Éxito.” — This Year’s Theme
Each year, WEPA is guided by a theme shaped by educator input and the evolving needs of the field. Past themes have explored leadership, legacy, and quality improvement, sparking important conversations and lasting connections.
This year’s theme felt especially personal.
“Tranquila. Sin miedo al éxito.”
Be calm. Don’t fear success.
The phrase emerged in a moment of intensity, just weeks before the 2024 event when organizers found themselves balancing countless moving pieces. In the midst of the chaos, family child care educator, peer leader, and mentor Alexandra Flores offered a simple but powerful reminder, “Don’t fear what you already know will succeed.”
That message stuck.
It became more than reassurance, it became a lens through which to explore a deeper question:
What does success look like for family child care educators?
For some, success means expanding their business.
For others, it means deepening the quality of care they provide.
For many, it means stability, recognition, and the ability to thrive in a field they love.
WEPA 2025 embraced these varied definitions, focusing on entrepreneurial success, equipping educators with tools, resources, and insights to move closer to their goals as small business owners and professionals.
And in doing so, it affirmed something essential: success is not one-size-fits-all. It is personal, evolving, and entirely within reach.
Highlights from WEPA 2025
A National Stage for a Growing Movement
For the first time, WEPA went national. Educators traveled from across the country to be part of this experience, expanding conversations, sharing diverse perspectives, and strengthening connections across state lines. What was once a local gathering has become a broader movement, rooted in shared values and collective progress.
This growth is more than symbolic. It represents a shift in how family child care is recognized—not just as a local necessity, but as a vital, interconnected field with national impact.
A New Level of Experience
This year also marked another milestone: WEPA was held in a hotel venue for the first time. This change wasn’t just about logistics, it was about intention.
Creating a more professional, accessible environment elevated the experience for attendees and reflected the level of respect and recognition that family child care educators deserve. Every detail—from hospitality to programming—was designed to make participants feel valued, supported, and inspired.
Bilingual, Inclusive, and Accessible Learning
With 11 bilingual workshops, WEPA 2025 ensured that learning was accessible, inclusive, and reflective of the community it serves.
These sessions created space for educators to:
Share real-world experiences
Learn practical strategies
Exchange ideas with peers
Build lasting professional relationships
Language should never be a barrier to growth, and at WEPA, it wasn’t.
The Power Behind the Scenes
Behind every successful event is a network of dedicated individuals and partners, and WEPA is no exception.
From organizers and interpreters to photographers, videographers, and hospitality teams, countless contributors worked together to bring WEPA 2025 to life. Their efforts ensured that every detail—from programming to atmosphere—supported a seamless and meaningful experience.
But the heart of WEPA isn’t just in the logistics, it’s in the people.
It’s in the educators who show up, share their stories, support one another, and continue pushing the field forward.
More Than an Event; An Ecosystem of Support
WEPA is not a one-day experience. It’s part of a larger ecosystem designed to uplift family child care educators year-round.
Through the ongoing work of the SEIU Education & Support Fund and its partners, educators gain access to resources, advocacy, and opportunities that extend far beyond the conference itself.
This work is especially critical because the majority of family child care educators are immigrant women of color, individuals who bring immense skill, dedication, and cultural richness to their work, yet often face systemic barriers.
By investing in these educators, WEPA and its supporters are doing more than hosting an event—they are strengthening an essential workforce, supporting small businesses, and helping build a more equitable early childhood landscape.
A Community That Shows Up for Each Other
One of the most powerful aspects of WEPA is the sense of community it creates.There is something transformative about being in a room filled with people who understand your work, your challenges, and your impact. It’s a space where educators don’t have to explain the value of what they do—they simply live it, together. This sense of belonging fuels connection, collaboration, and confidence. At Wepa:
Conversations turn into partnerships
Ideas turn into action
Individuals, collectively turn into a movement
And year after year, that movement continues to grow.
Looking Ahead: Building What Comes Next
If WEPA 2025 made one thing clear, it’s this: the future of family child care is being shaped right now—by the educators, leaders, and advocates who show up and invest in this work.
Each year builds on the last. Each conversation sparks the next idea. Each connection strengthens the foundation.
And as the community looks ahead to WEPA 2026, one thing is certain:
This is only the beginning.
Explore the Full Story in WEPA! The Magazine
While this article offers a glimpse into the energy and impact of WEPA 2025, there is so much more to experience.
From behind-the-scenes insights and powerful reflections to a vibrant photo gallery capturing the spirit of the event, the WEPA! Magazine brings the full story to life.
We invite you to explore both the English and Spanish editions to:
Dive deeper into this year’s theme
Learn more about the people who make WEPA possible
Experience the moments that defined the event
Celebrate the educators at the heart of it all
A Final Thank You
WEPA would not exist without the dedication of family child care educators. It would not thrive without the support of sponsors, partners, and staff. And it would not grow without a community that believes in the power of this work. To everyone who made WEPA 2025 possible: thank you. Because of you, this isn’t just an event, it’s a movement. Without Family Child Care Educators WEPA would not exist.
Read the full WEPA! Magazine below (English & Spanish) and experience the movement for yourself!