25 Years And It's Just the Beginning June 28, 2005
What a year it has been! As John Lennon once said, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." In the late summer of 2004 as our Strategic Planning Process neared completion Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne disrupted lives of many in our communities. Suddenly our newly adopted mission "United Way of Central Florida understands local needs and drives lasting change to build better lives and stronger communities" was affirmed. In the aftermath of Hurricane Charley we immediately focused on working with partners to identify where help was needed most. We engaged in a response that was sustained for months. With many lives disrupted United Way utilized our local agencies to assist and provide necessary resources enabling families to stay together. The months of August and September taught us another important lesson. As United Way received recognition from the Salvation Army and the Community Foundation of Greater Lakeland and others, we realized that we were being lauded for what our community accomplished in response to the hurricanes. Non-profit partners, churches, school groups, local government agencies and especially our corporate partners enthusiastically rallied to assist our entire community. It didn't matter who got credit. It simply mattered that lives were better and communities were strengthened. And the work continues. The true nature of our community was revealed as no corner of our three county area was spared the destructive forces of the hurricanes. Some of us met our neighbors for the first time as we cleared fallen trees or shared bottled water and candles. Together we discovered "Community." We are excited to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the United Way of Central Florida. Prior to 1980, the United Ways of the Lake Region, Greater Bartow and Greater Lakeland were separate and distinct. Absent the synergies of unification, it would have been impossible to raise over $8,000,000 in 2004 plus over a million dollars for local hurricane recovery. All accomplished while delivering the life-improving services that benefit local people every day. As our Anniversary slogan says, "United Way of Central Florida, 25 years and it's just the beginning!" Permalink | Comments (0) | More in: 25th Anniversary Posted by Terry Worthington Positive Parenting and Pizza Nights June 27, 2005 Uses a nationally recognized program to teach positive parenting skills, which will help parents/caregivers to prepare their children to enter school ready to succeed. Healthy Families will provide the classes with lively and informative discussions on hot parenting topics and Devereux Kids will provide capacity building and parent dialogue programs. Classes are FREE. Parenting materials, light supper and childcare is provided. Children will have age appropriate activities and get FREE books. The classes will be held in the Auburndale and Lake Wales a rea. Classes are held on Tuesday or Thursday evenings for 8 consecutive weeks. Classes will be forming September 2005, January 2006, and March 2006. Please call Success By 6 for more information on Positive Parenting and Pizza Nights or if you know of a person or business who would be interested in sponsoring a class. Permalink | Comments (0) | More in: Success by 6 Posted by Penny Borgia Parent Lending Libraries June 27, 2005 The Early Learning Coalition of Polk County allocated $10,000 in March, 2005 to the Success By 6 Parent Lending Library project. These funds will purchase a minimum of 200 books and 10 libra ry display cubes for childcare centers serving children at-risk of school failure. Parents are encouraged to check books out on a daily basis. The Parent Lending Library project includes incentives for parents and children who read together routinely. The Junior League of Greater Lakeland, long time advocates of early childhood and literacy, has sponsored nine Parent Lending Libraries. A cash donation combined with a contribution of quality childrens books purchased with profits from the highly successful Pig Fest, will generously supply these libraries housed in Lakeland childcare centers. Jr. League volunteers will also support the project with time and talent by routinely reading to children in sponsored centers. Success By 6 sponsors 21 Parent Lending Libraries in collaboration with businesses and civic organizations. Healthy Start Coalition, Republican Women's Club of Lakeland Federated and North Lakeland Kiwanis generously donated the first three libraries in 2004. Presbyterian Homes sponsored the first workplace library for their employees. Success By 6 received a $500 Polk County Schools Service-Learning Mini-Grant. Approximately 160 books were given to the children of parents attending Parent Education classes in Auburndale, Lake Wales and Winter Haven. Additional books were added to Parent Lending Libraries in childcare sites hosting parent education classes. The typical very low-income child has a vocabulary of only 3,000 words. The child prepared to enter kindergarten ready to succeed has a vocabulary of 20,000 words. Language skills are strong indicators of school success. Limited language skills can cripple the low-income child's ability to succeed in school. Success By 6 promotes early literacy programs that increase vocabulary, improve la nguage processing and boost the opportunity for success in school. Good Beginnings Never End. Thank you Early Learning Collation of Polk County, Junior League of Greater Lakeland and Polk County Schools for these 2005 donations! Success By 6 - Helping Children Enter School Ready to Succeed. Permalink | Comments (0) | More in: Success by 6 Posted by Penny Borgia Recent Days of Impact in our Community June 25, 2005 United Way of Central Florida works with organizations to find valuable volunteer labor to support goals in our community for Kids, Families and Wellness. If you're interested in organizaing a group to help with a project building better lives and stronger communities call today! 863.648.1500 x241 scottl@uwcf.org Watson Clinic helped United Way deliver healthy meals for seniors. This is one way United Way work for Wellness and promotes independence to prevent decline. Permalink | Comments (0) | More in: Days of Impact Posted by Scott Lonsberry United Way in Highlands County 2005 Day of Caring June 23, 2005 Volunteer troops came out in full force on Wednesday, May 11, 2005, to make a difference in their community by participating in the United Way Day of Caring throughout Highlands County. There were 330 volunteers rolling up their sleeves and doing a variety of jobs for United Ways partner agencies. The Day of Caring is designed to provide area business and individuals an opportunity to do manual labor at a United Way partner agencys site. Thank You to our sponsors for helping United Way make lasting changes in the community that improves peoples lives. Sebring Ford Lincoln Mercury, Glades Electric Charitable Trust. Associate Sponsors Woodys Bar-B-Q, Buttonwood Bay, and Save the Moment. Thank you to the 28 companies who allowed their employee to participate. Day of Caring Committee Permalink | Comments (0) | More in: Days of Impact Posted by Cheryl Sharp First Team Campaign in Highlands County Kick Off June 1, 2005 First Team Campaign in Highlands County kicked off June 1, 2005. CEO visits and campaigns are currently running. First Team companies are: Heacock Group Permalink | Comments (0) | More in: Highlands News Posted by Cheryl Sharp |
Category Archives - 25th Anniversary- Days of Impact - Events - Family Fundamentals - Highlands News - Hurricane Network - News - Site Help - Success by 6 Monthly Archives - July 2007- June 2007 - May 2007 - March 2007 - January 2007 - November 2006 - June 2006 - May 2006 - April 2006 - March 2006 - December 2005 - November 2005 - October 2005 - September 2005 - August 2005 - June 2005 - May 2005 Syndication
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