October 10, 2005

Success By 6, an initiative of the United Way of Central Florida, recognizes businesses in Polk and Hardee Counties that provide family-friendly policies and family-oriented benefits. Award winning organizations understand that quality early childhood programs strengthen the workforce both now and in the future. Model family-friendly workplaces promote parent education, dependent care services and participation in school activities and literacy events. Winners of the Spirit of the Family Awards understand that parents are a child's first teacher and that responsible parents are dependable employees. The 2005 Spirit of the Family award winners will be announced November 2, 2005 at the Success Rally to be held at the Lakeland Center.

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October 7, 2005

Bill Reid of Verizon Reads, America’s Literacy Champion, delivered a $5,000 check to Success By 6 to provide Parent Lending Libraries in local childcare centers.

Success By 6 spearheads a variety of projects to encourage early literacy skills that prepare children to enter school ready to succeed. The establishment of Parent Lending Libraries at childcare centers is one such project. In January 2005, there were only two Parent Lending Libraries in use. Through the generosity of sponsors, there are now twenty-one active Parent Lending Libraries. Libraries include a kiosk display, system to encourage use, parent education materials and more than 200 age-appropriate books. At the end of July, monthly utilization reports indicated that approximately 1,900 age-appropriate books had been checked-out by parents with their children.

Bill Reid of Verizon Reads, America’s Literacy Champion, delivered a $5,000 check to Success By 6 on October 6, 2005. These funds will be used to provide five Parent Lending Libraries for preschool children and their parents. Also in October, Success By 6 was awarded a $42,000 Community Development Block Grant. In addition to administrative expenses and support materials, this grant will provide twenty-two Parent Lending Libraries within non-incorporated areas of Polk County such as Eaton Park, Highland City, Frostproof, Davenport, Dundee, Waverly, Mulberry, Auburndale & Fort Meade.

Success By 6 set a goal to establish 500 Parent Lending Libraries in childcare facilities by 2010. More than fifty libraries will be in place by the end of 2005.

The United Way of Central Florida and Success By 6 would like to thank the following generous businesses and civic organizations for sponsoring Parent Lending Libraries:

North Lakeland Kiwanis (2)
Republican Women’s Club of Lakeland Federated (1)
Healthy Start Coalition of Polk, Hardee & Highlands County (1)
Florida Presbyterian Homes (1)
Early Learning Coalition of Polk County (11)
Junior League of Greater Lakeland (10)
Childcraft (2, 4-sided library units)
READ Polk (Approx. 300 books)
Verizon READS 2004 ($1,200 towards book purchase)
Verizon READS 2005 (5)
Polk County CDBG Grant (22)

Did you know? In 2004, 78-85% of the children entering 8 Polk County schools failed language proficiency
screenings. 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. Reading with young children is the most efficient and cost effective way to improve language skills. Family involvement improves student success. (Grades and test scores go up and the student’s attitude about school improves!)

Make a difference! Success By 6 promotes early literacy programs that increase vocabulary, improve language
processing skills and boost the opportunity for success in school. Success By 6 has set a goal to establish 500 Parent Lending Libraries at childcare centers serving children at-risk of school failure by 2010.

Be a Sponsor! A four-sided library unit with approximately 200 new books can be purchased for $1,000. Quality age-appropriate new and/or gently used books may be donated to help reduce the cost of an individual library. Success By 6 will proudly provide a plaque honoring the Sponsor’s contribution of the Parent Lending Library.

Success By 6–Helping all children succeed for life. For more information, e-mail Jodit@uwcf.org or Janetd@uwcf.org

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Posted by Penny Borgia