Kindergarten is the celebration of the beginning of a journey for most families, but not everyone on the road to knowledge is ready to jump from zero to 60.
Enter the United Way of the Capital Region’s Ready for School, Ready for Learning program, which helps young kids get ready for their first day of school.
Shane’s grandparents have been his guardians since his mother died when he was 2 years old. He’s struggling with behavioral issues stemming from separation anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder — troubles that might have made his first classroom experience a challenge.
The family enrolled him in a United Way Ready for School, Ready for Learning program. Shane’s family and teachers say the classroom preparation program has gone a long way. “As he’s been coming to the workshops, I’ve noticed that his confidence level is going up little by little,” Education Liaison Jennafer Palmer said.
“The United Way is so focused on school readiness because we realize how important it is to give children the start that they need,” said Amber Fields, community impact manager, education. “What it means to be school ready is to have a child who is ready to come into the classroom, ready to listen, learn and interact with his peers.”
United Way of the Capital Region’s Ready for School, Ready to Succeed program has helped 159 children ages 3-5 enroll in kindergarten and 93 more enroll in preschool. Nearly 2,000 individuals have participated in preparatory workshops hosted at 12 central Pennsylvania schools in the past year.
United Way Campaign Progress
Generous Penn State College of Medicine and Penn State Health employees have donated $79,501 to the 2019 United Way campaign so far, 20.9% of the $380,000 goal. The campaign runs through Friday, Oct. 25.
Give and Receive
Any Penn State Health or Penn State College of Medicine employee who contributes at least $182 ($7 per pay or $3.50 per week) to the Penn State Health United Way campaign will be eligible to win one of the following prizes:
- Preferred parking on the Hershey campus
- Hershey Medical Center suite at Giant Center events
- Hershey Bears Hockey tickets
- Hersheypark tickets for 2020 season
- York Revolution baseball tickets
Employees also will be eligible for United Way of the Capital Region’s raffle prizes:
- A new 2020 Kia Soul S donated by Turner Automotive. Approximate value: $22,000.
- $1,500 AAA Travel giveaway for a cruise or tour of your choice.
- $1,500 in groceries from Giant Food Stores
- $1,000 Visa gift card from Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospitals
Penn State Health employees can access the United Way system and make a pledge or donation at inspired2give.org. College of Medicine employees were sent pledge materials, including the 2019 Green Pledge Cards, through interoffice mail.