PRE-K OUR WAY CO-HOSTS LOCAL MEETING IN LINDEN WITH UNITED WAY OF GREATER UNION COUNTY ON EXPANDING PRESCHOOL ACCESS IN UNIO

LINDEN, N.J. -- Pre-K Our Way, a nonprofit, statewide effort that helps New Jersey’s communities bring high-quality pre-k to their children, co-hosted a local community meeting Wednesday in Linden with the United Way of Greater Union County (UWGUC) and their Women’s Leadership Council.

The meeting provided community members, parents, family members, United Way members, local elected officials, providers, educators, and business leaders opportunities to learn how they can use Pre-K Our Way to expand preschool access for three- and four-year olds to more communities throughout the state as well as to learn how to get involved in the community-led movement.

Although New Jersey has one of the most successful and high-quality public preschool programs in the country, fewer than 40 communities have access to one of these programs. Pre-K Our Way believes that where a child lives shouldn’t determine whether or not they have access to pre-k. An expansion of preschool under New Jersey law could bring high-quality, public programs to the Union County communities of Rahway, Hillside, Linden, Roselle, and Winfield Township.

“Educating our children is a top priority for all New Jersey families, yet access to the state’s high-quality preschool is not available to most New Jersey communities,” said Sam Crane of Pre-K Our Way. “Pre-K Our Way is working with advocates such as the United Way of Greater Union County, parents, teachers and community leaders to expand high-quality pre-k access, and to ensure our children’s early education is not dependent upon their zip code.”

The United Way of Greater Union County works to improve lives and build strong communities by uniting individuals and organizations with the will, passion, expertise, and resources needed to solve problems. They envision a community where all children and families achieve their potential through education, income stability, and healthy lives. Their efforts change the odds so that all children and their families, regardless of their circumstances, have the same chance to succeed in school and in life.

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Pre-K Our Way, a nonpartisan and nonprofit community-based organization, coordinated through a diverse group of business leaders, parents, foundations, early childhood educators, community leaders interested citizens and elected officials, engages communities on expanding NJ’s existing high-quality public preschool for their children. Visit our website at www.prekourway.org for more information.