Salt in His Shoes: An evening with Deloris Jordan, hosted by Women United

On Tuesday, September 10, Women United will host Salt in His Shoes: An Evening with Deloris Jordan to raise awareness about the importance of early childhood education in Allen County. Jordan is co-author of the New York Times Best Seller Salt in His Shoes, and mother of Michael Jordan.

This event is FREE and open to the public. To reserve a seat or for more information, contact 469-4002 or ruthie.krueger@uwacin.org.

Where? Public Safety Academy, Ivy Tech South Campus, 7602 Patriot Crossing

Why? United Way and Women United are dedicated to ensuring children in Allen County are ready for kindergarten by focusing efforts on early childhood education, a critical factor in a child’s success in school and beyond. Longitudinal studies show that children with access to high quality early childhood education are more likely to graduate high school, maintain jobs as adults, and earn higher wages.

 

Volunteer with Vincent Village

We recently received the following opportunity to volunteer with Vincent Village. It sounds like an excellent opportunity for individuals who may not feel like they often have the needed skills to serve. If you’re interested and can make a commitment, consider this:

We need people who are interested in coming in:

• At least once a week
• From 3:30-5:30 pm
• Monday through Thursday
• It’s a very structured setting serving around 1-15 students per day.

Skill Requirements:

• There are no requirements.
• Great opportunity for high school students, college students, and even seniors come to help.
• Make a consistent commitment to coming.

Your potential impact is huge. The children need more than just help on their homework. Often, the kids are craving mentors and people (especially adults) they can count on. There is a very high percentage of children who are homeless and are below grade level. Since they tend to switch schools often and have many more pressing and traumatic experiences to deal with, academic success is often low on their priority list. As a volunteer, you’ll work to make connections with the students that go beyond the 2 hour time commitment.

If you or someone you know would be interested, please contact Danielle Peterson at 260-456-4172 x237

Volunteers Needed- Rally to Read, September 17

Women United is looking for volunteers to help with RALLY TO READ, a literacy carnival held on the “Hanna Creighton Campus” (Head Start, Allen County Public Library & Urban League).  This year 30 organizations will sponsor event booths (all having a literacy theme).

For the past three years, Women United volunteers have managed the “book store”.  After participating at event booths & the Library, attendees are given books to take home for their personal libraries.  Books are distributed according to age groups.

This year we need 15 volunteers.  The work includes helping children select books; keeping the tables stocked and monitoring the store entrance and exit (distribute event evaluation). 

The event is scheduled for 11:30 – 2 pm on Saturday, September 17.

If you can help, even for part of the time, please let Nancy Flennery know. You can email her at nancyf@uwacin.org, or call 422-4776.

 

Why I Joined Women United

This year, I joined Women United, an affinity group of the United Way of Allen County, which is committed to raising funds for scholarships to send children from low-literacy environments to accredited daycare. My friend Denice invited me to join the Power of the Purse committee, which will plan the organization’s largest fundraiser- a fabulous event that will feature a silent and live auction of new and gently used hand bags. The event is September 27, so mark your calendars.

But why is it so important that we raise money for this cause? Three numbers drive the point home: 800, 10,000 and 1,400.

800– the number of words in the vocabulary of a child entering kindergarten who comes from a low-literacy environment.

10,000– the number of words in the vocabularly of a child entering kindergarten who comes from a literacy-rich environment.

800 to 10,000- that’s quite a discrepancy. Can you imagine entering school at such a disadvantage?

1,400– the number of children currently on a waiting list in Allen County for vouchers to attend accredited daycare.

Intrigued?

Watch this moving video and discover why changing the first 5 years can change everything.

Want to get involved? Shoot us an email at Contagious.Comm@gmail.com. We will hook you up with the right folks.