LIVE UNITED Y’All!

By Angie Ditsler

Photo by guldfisken - click on photo for link

Russ told me once that his earliest memories as a child are of his mom walking him to the Crescent Hill Library every week to read to him and let him pick out books to take home. He told me that even as an adult he still vividly remembers the smell of the books in that library, and they conjure up fond memories for him every time he drives past it to this day.

Needless to say, this has led to ongoing jokes in our family about “smelling books.” Whenever I can’t decide which book to pick up next to read, Russ’ typical response to me is usually something like “Well, which one smells better?”

On a more serious note though, we’re both grateful to have been instilled with a love for reading in our childhood. Evening routines for us usually involve a glass of wine and a good book, and one of our favorite things to do on Sundays is to peruse the aisles of Books-a-Million or Barnes and Noble then relax and read until the store closes.

An aspiring writer himself, my husband devours books at about twice the rate I do. Russ accomplished a long-time goal of his when he recently published his first novel, a political thriller called Agent of Influence. He spent six years researching and writing his book, and the past year and a half has really been a team effort as we’ve worked together revising, editing, and trying to get it published. Being exposed to books at an early age has really inspired us and honed our talents in different ways: I always remind Russ that he is the creative genius in the family, while I have eye for detail.

Now that I get to work on various Success By 6 initiatives in my professional life, the importance of exposing young children to positive and healthy experiences early on like reading really hits home for me. One thing that my husband and I agree on is that when we have children of our own some day, we want them to grow up smelling books the same way we did. Who knew that a memory like the smell of a book could have such an impact on someone’s life?

Education, General Agent of Influence, books, reading, Success By 6

If there is one thing that working with Success By 6 has confirmed for me it is to instill a love of reading in my child. We read everyday at our house. In fact, Luke has made up a new game to play called “naptime.” He tells his dad and me to “go take your nap.” He tucks us into his bed, reads us a story, gives us our kisses, says goodnight and closes the door to his room. My husband actually finds this to be a very cruel game, because just as we are feeling nice and relaxed, Luke will burst into the room, turn on the lights and loudly say, “Time to wake up!” My favorite part of naptime is when Luke reads our bedtime story. He usually chooses one of his favorite books. So, he knows most of the words or uses the pictures to make up what is happening in the story. I think that it is very cool that reading a story has to be a part of “naptime.”

Luke has many favorite books, including the Clifford the Big Red Dog series. One of the reasons that he loves Clifford books so much is that there are pictures of the covers of other Clifford books on the back of each book. He likes to go through all of the pictures and find the pictures of the books that he has in his collection. Sometimes, this can lead to reading six books in a row, but I don’t mind. My bigger issue is that I can’t walk into a book store without checking out which Clifford books they have. I am constantly trying to find as many of the books featured on the back of the covers that I can. In fact, this morning I ordered a set of six Clifford books– three that we already have – from the Scholastic book order that came home from school just so I could add to Luke’s Clifford collection.

As I placed my order this morning, I thought about all of the children who do not have fifteen Clifford books in their collections or entire bookcases full of beautiful children’s books. It made me sad. But I couldn’t be sad for too long because my next thought was of the boxes and boxes of books that we just received from the Borders book drive.

This summer, for the third year in a row, Borders provided its customers with the opportunity to give a book to a young child who may not otherwise have one. And again this year, I was overwhelmed by the generosity of our community.  When I spoke with my Borders contacts about halfway through the drive they told me that it seemed like the donations were going to be down this year because of the economy. We have not yet sorted and counted the books to know for sure how many books there are, but by the looks of the boxes stacked in our basement, our community once again showed its caring power and gave even if it hurt. There will be hundreds and hundreds of small children who will receive a book to take home. I wonder if any of them will tell their mommies and daddies that it is time for a nap, read them a book and put them to bed.

Education, Giving Borders, early childhood, reading, Success By 6

When I first started with Metro United Way almost seven years ago, I staffed what was then the Success By 6 Child Care Action Team. This team had developed several strategies about how to support child care providers in their efforts to provide high quality child care for young children and how to ensure that working families had access to affordable high quality child care.

One of the strategies that this team chose to focus on was the promotion of Work/Life Balance and the recognition of companies that offered their employees family-friendly policies. This seemed like a good idea to me. I was on board with this strategy. I thought that it was important. However, it wasn’t until after I had my own child that I realized just how hard it is to balance all the work life stuff, and I work at one of those places that is pretty supportive of me in my role as a parent.

I’ve talked to lots of my girlfriends about this and it seems to ring true for every single mom that I know that works outside of the home. The basic problem is that you never feel like you can give enough to anything that you do.

I constantly feel guilty that I am not giving enough of myself to my son, my husband, my job, my friends, my family or myself. I worry that the time that I spend with Luke during the week is too limited and that the hours that I am home are spent preparing dinner, getting him bathed and into bed at a reasonable time. Sure, there is some time in there for us to play, read and snuggle, but it doesn’t really seem like enough time to devote to the most important thing in my life!

I also fret that I don’t give enough of myself to my work. (Trust me when I say that my husband clearly disagrees with me on this.) I think I have a really important job. It is a big goal to ensure that all of the children in our community are healthy, safe, nurtured and prepared to succeed in school. Sometimes I think that having a person in my position who could work a sixty hour work week is what is needed to actually achieve that goal.

And then there are all of the other important life factors that seem not to get the attention that they deserve: my husband (sorry honey!), my friends, my family, and not to be selfish but ME!

And here’s the thing: I know that I have it good. I am lucky to work for an organization that values its employees and their families. When I was breastfeeding, I had an office that I could comfortably close the door and pump milk for my baby. I have fantastic co-workers who I can call upon when Luke is sick and they will cover for me. I have the flexibility to schedule Parent/Teacher conferences at Luke’s school during the workday when his teachers are available. I have volunteer hours that I can choose to use by spending time at my son’s school helping out in the classroom or on Board projects.

I am grateful for the technology that is available to me so that I can check e-mail and work on electronic files from home.

I once heard a speaker refer to a study about Generation X parents like me. We don’t want to miss our kids’ soccer games or school events. So, although we may slip out of the office early for that kind of thing, we make up for it by checking e-mail or doing work after our kids are in bed. Hey, if nothing else, we recognize and strive for a Work/Life Balance in a way that many of our Baby Boomer parents couldn’t.

How’s your balance working out?

Photo Credit: James Jordan

General Life, making a difference, Success By 6

By Kelly Hutchinson, Donor Relationship Manager

I have been thinking a lot about the upcoming annual campaign in our community. It is what I do…think, plan, connect, encourage, communicate, review, explore, inquire, inspire, discuss and consider what will make a difference this year in someone’s workplace campaign. What is important to an individual donor? How can I demonstrate appreciation for the good works made possible by our Metro United Way corporate partners, donors and volunteers? I am also leaning into my work and trying to look at things a little bit differently this year. Quite frankly we must. You have heard it before right? If you continue to do things the same as in the past and you continue to get the same results then why does it surprise you?

My list will be kept short, but I hope you will join my conversation and share some of your idea’s on what you think is HOT and what you think is NOT.

What’s HOT:
• Making sure all children are safe, nurtured and prepared to succeed in school ( learn more about Success by 6)
• Making plans in your workplace to educate and build awareness for the work the work of United Way in our community and to Ask for participation in a company campaign where you work…WOW that’s hot!
• Serving as a volunteer Employee Coordinator for a United Way campaign and recruiting some co-worker friends to join you and help make it a success…sizzlin’!
• Sharing stories about your personal experience with United Way or how someone you work with whose life has been touched (meet someone you have helped here)
• Identifying the root causes of problems and providing solutions and support so that people can avoid some problems in the first-place…yep, it’s HOT
• Partnering with schools, service providers and community groups to improve high school graduation rates
• Saying YES when you are invited to join the United Way campaign and following up your giving by volunteering to get closer to the work you make possible and the lives you touch
Did you hear fire trucks?
• Being able to laugh at yourself and have fun while helping create opportunities for a brighter tomorrow
NOT HOT:
• There are nearly 9,000 children in JCPS who are homeless
• There are senior citizens in our community who live in fear of going outside or don’t have enough income for prescriptions and food…so they make choices
• Ice storms, wind storms, flash flooding that destroys peoples property and depletes their savings ( sign up with our volunteer center)
• An increase of nearly 40% of first time callers to 2-1-1 for assistance with basic human needs for food, clothing, shelter and necessities…a term I am hearing called “new poor” in our community
• Too many employees feel like United Way only comes around once a year when it’s time to ask for a donation. That’s not hot. There are endless possibilities and creative fun ways you can stay involved, thank loyal donors and contributors in your work and help employees understand they are making a difference 365 days a year
• Not planning ahead, setting goals or stretching yourself to do better in all that you do. Because if you don’t aim for something then you can’t be surprised when you miss the mark
• Seeing your coworkers dress up like Elvis and sing Viva Las Vegas… not hot…but a great way we added some fun to our employee campaign at Metro United Way and we are all looking forward to see who on our executive team will be donning a polyester jumpsuit next

Tried to keep it short…what’s hot where you work and what’s not?

Advocacy, Education, General, Giving, Health, Income, Volunteering campaign, Common good, community service, how to, recovery, Success By 6

By David Caldwell

Think back to when you started kindergarten. If you didn’t go to kindergarten just think back to when you were a little kid. If you’re my dad, find someone who remembers when you were a little kid and ask them to remind you.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a paleontologist. I thought dinosaurs were the coolest things ever, and I wanted to dig up their bones. Over the years, my career aspirations have changed, but my desire to be something awesome has not. (I still think dinosaurs are just about the coolest things ever by the way.)

This year in Kentuckiana about 12,000 kids will begin kindergarten. How do you think they would answer that question? Probably the same way we did. Astronaut. Teacher. Fire Fighter. Rock Star. Doctor. President.

I bet that none of them said they wanted to be a drug dealer, or a prostitute, or living on the streets, or in jail. The reality is that some of them will end up in those situations and many more that we all would consider equally as horrible.

We can change that. We can turn those horrible realities into wonderful possibilities. We can give children hope. We can make them believe in themselves. We can give them the tools they need to be successful.

How? That’s what Metro United Way Success By 6 is working on. Our goal is that by 2018, all children will enter kindergarten prepared to be successful in school and life.

We need your help. What ideas do you have? What are you willing to work on? What support do you need? Let us know. Visit the website, give me a call (502-292-6157). Let’s make this happen – together!!!

Photo Credit: boynumber1

Advocacy, Education Children, make change, making a difference, Success By 6

By Cori Gadansky

Unsolicited advice – we’ve all gotten it and perhaps we’ve all given it. I have noticed that as a parent, I get a lot more of it than I did before. Now, I’m not saying that I know everything. And I’m not saying that I don’t seek out advice as a parent. I’ve mentioned in previous posts how fortunate I have been to have so many friends, family and experts to go to about issues that come up with my son.  But that’s the difference – when you ask for it and when you are just going along minding your own business and someone feels compelled to share their brilliant insight with you.

For example, Luke is not exactly a small child. (He weighed over nine pounds at birth.) He’s tall and he’s solid, and he is three. So, I still pick him up and hold him sometimes. The cook at his child care center never fails to tell me that “he’s so big he should be holding you.” Of course, almost any time she ever sees us together is at drop off time – when he sometimes takes a minute or two to say good-bye to me, or at pick up time – when he is excited to see me. It’s not like I walk around the house holding him, or I try to squeeze him into a Baby Bjorn. I pick him up the same way that many people I know pick up their three-year-olds - to comfort, cuddle, and love. So, although he may look like he is about to start kindergarten, he really is still at an age where (I think) he needs to be held, comforted and protected from this world that he is still trying to figure out.  Of course, I know that the cook at his school is completely well-intentioned.  He weighs over 40 pounds. In fact, one of these days my back might let me know that Luke really is too big for me to hold. But I never asked for her opinion.

I think there is a lesson to be learned from this related to the work that I do. Success By 6 has a lot of parent education resources that are available to anyone who wants them. I just need to be intentional and thoughtful about the distribution of these materials, because I know first-hand that receiving advice when you never asked for it really isn’t all that helpful. On the other hand, I know that receiving advice and information when you are hungry for it is extremely valuable.

When have you gotten advice that you didn’t want? When have you been in need of information about your children? Did you get what you were looking for?

Photo Credit:  purpleslog

Education parents, Success By 6

By Angie Ratliff

Today is a big day- for my family and me, at least. My nephew Jack, the first member of the new Ratliff generation, is turning 1 today! I’m of course not biased in the least when I say he is the most adorable and clever one-year-old on the planet. Jack’s birthday party preparations have rivaled my own wedding-in-the-works, but how could I resist getting him both the water table activity set and the Step2 Push Around Buggy? Not that I’m vying for “favorite aunt” status or anything…

Although we spent this past weekend blowing up balloons, wrapping presents, and icing cupcakes for the big day, the best part of this weekend (and every weekend I get to spend with Jack) is watching him learn and explore new things. I love the look on his face when he succeeds in picking a flower from the garden, and the way he bops his head and shakes his little body every time he hears music playing. The little man has rhythm already, although he surely didn’t inherit that from the Ratliff side! It’s impossible not to smile when Jack smiles or laugh when Jack laughs. (It’s also impossible not to laugh when Jack sticks out his bottom lip and lets out a fake wail after the dog gives him a big surprise kiss across the face!)

It’s hard to believe that a year has already gone by, and Jack is already on his way to turning two. My work in Success By 6 has taught me that these are the most influential years in Jack’s life. He is blessed little boy to have such a loving and supportive family and opportunities to learn and explore. We often joke in my family that Jack is likely the happiest child alive. He laughs incessantly and even smiles in his sleep. What Jack doesn’t yet realize is how his presence has made the Ratliff clan the happiest family alive, as well.

Photo credit: hfb

General Success By 6

By Cori Gadansky

Last week was a big one for Success By 6. After months of hard work, we announced that a new developmental screening tool is available for any parents in our region to use with their children who are ages birth to five. Click here to request an Ages & Stages Questionnaire for your child. This tool will help parents know if their children are on the right track for success. If children are developing typically parents will receive some basic parenting information from our Born Learning material and other community resources. If there are indications that a parent should seek further evaluation for their children we will make sure that families are connected to existing community services.

Providing parents with a tool to see how their children are doing and connecting them to existing community resources are two of the major components of Help Me Grow a system that was originally implemented statewide in Connecticut and is now being replicated by a handful of other communities across the country.

Metro United Way Success By 6 was selected as one of only five replication sites for Help Me Grow. Last week also marked the visit of the Technical Assistance team from Connecticut. Many community partners came together to learn from Connecticut and to consider our own local strengths and challenges in implementing this system.

Throughout the course of the visit the TA team spoke of the many parents that they connect with through their system. They talked about the single mom who calls to ask questions about services, unsure of where to turn because she has concerns about her child’s development. They spoke about immigrant families who are trying to adjust to a new culture and do the best for their children, but don’t know how to navigate through the human services system. They spoke of countless other families that they help across their state, across income levels, of different races and ethnicities, all with the common goal of helping their children succeed.

As the team shared this information, I was repeatedly struck by how fortunate I am to have such a strong support network. I have my family and my husband’s family in town. I have an amazing group of girlfriends to talk about “mom things” with and I have a circle of professional colleagues who are experts at this child development stuff. Yet sometimes I still feel lost and lonely as I try to be the best mom that I can to Luke. How would it feel to be in the role of mother without that support? Could I even do it? I know there are lots of moms and dads out there that do, but I just can’t begin to imagine how hard it is. If natural support groups of family, friends and colleagues don’t exist for some how can we help to create and connect parents to other supports?

What kind of support networks do you have? Is it one of family and friends? Have you found support from a church group of moms or the parents on your block? Are there programs and services that you and your family use?  As we build our Help Me Grow system we will look to both formal and informal community resources for families. I know that there is a lot out there for families in this community that very much cares about children and youth.

Photo Credit: snorp

Education, Health Ages & Stages, Help Me Grow, Success By 6

Education is an essential building block that leads to a better life for all and is key to improving our community. In an effort to improve the quality of education in our community, Metro United Way and Success by 6 unveiled two new tools at a press conference this morning.

The first is the Common Good Forecaster. It allows people to look up any county in the U.S., shows them the current education levels for that county and state. Using a sliding scale, the Common Good Forecaster also shows the direct correlation between increased levels of educational achievement and improvement in that community.

The second tool is the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, a part of the Help Me Grow initiative. The questionnaires are age appropriate surveys that a parent/guardian can fill out concerning their child and send back to Metro United Way to be scored. This questionnaire allows you to see how your child is developing and if they are on track for all the major milestones they need to accomplish in their childhood. To request your Ages and Stages Questionnaire, please visit the Metro United Way website or call 502-292-6211.

Education, Events, General Ages and Stages, Common Good Forecaster, Help Me Grow, Metro United Way, Success By 6

by Priscilla Henken

For those of you who have school-age children, and for those like me- just out of school and still able to remember- entering kindergarten is a tough time for all. There are all those things you need to do to get your child ready for school. There are vaccinations and examinations, school supplies to buy, and a little bit of separation anxiety to overcome.

Well, there is good news! Kindergarten Countdown, powered by Metro United Way Success By 6, is having a Kindergarten Health Fair. It will be at the Community Baptist Church at 4909 E. Indian Trail on Monday, August 3, 2009 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It is a free clinic, open to all children entering kindergarten in August, 2009.

During the fair there will be physical examinations that are required to enter school, provided by JCPS nurses. Parents who bring in their child’s Shot Record Card and Medical Card will be able to get all the immunizations required for their child to enter school. There will also be dental and eye screenings as well as a nutritional speaker who will be giving tips on healthy after-school snacks and much more.

So make the summer before entering kindergarten a memorable one. Come out to the Health Fair and have some fun while getting your child ready for school. Everything is free and I’m sure you’ll have a lot of fun.

(You can get the event flyer here.)

Events, Health Health Fair, Kindergarten Countdown, Success By 6