United Way Celebrates Week of the Young Child

New Rochelle, NY, (April 10-16, 2016) – Reading unlocks many doors for a child’s future, and this week many low income children will have some additional tools for that success. United Way of Westchester and Putnam is bringing reading kits to small eager hands and their families as part of its celebration of “Week of the Young Child”.

“I am touched by the eagerness of the children we have met,” said Alana Sweeny, President and CEO of the local United Way serving Westchester and Putnam. “One little boy said ‘I don’t have any books at my house, only one comic book.’ This is an easy fix that we can all help solve.”

He is not alone. An estimated 61% of children in low income families do not have any children’s books in the home. United Way is not only giving out books in the reading kits but also information for parents on infusing educational play into everyday activities.

“The parents we meet adore their children and they want the best for them, but they don’t know how important it is to carry on a dialog with their babies and toddlers…talking about shapes, sounds, colors and even feelings will greatly enhance their learning,” Sweeny advises.

Low income children, especially children of color, will start kindergarten with an estimated 30 million fewer words spoken to them. Reading to young children is a great tool to decrease this significant word gap.

Children from the WestCOP Head Start Infant-Toddler Learning Center in New Rochelle received over 110 reading kits. Sweeny introduced the kits to the children during circle time and encouraged them through songs, sharing and games to read books with their family. “Who likes books?” she asked as a circle of hands flew up into the air eager to participate.

“Reading books with a child is one of the best ways to help him or her love books and loving books is one of the most important keys to a child's success in school,” said Cirelle Bloom, Disabilities Coordinator, Head Start Infant-Toddler Learning Center. “We try to ensure that each child has one or more books to call his/her very own. Thank you United Way for assisting us with that goal!”

Two groups at the WJCS Infant-Toddler Learning Center at the Mary J. Blige Center in Yonkers received reading kits. The center fosters healthy relationships between parents and their children and uses play, songs, literacy, fine and gross motor activities to support parent-child interaction and learning.

“WJCS is grateful for the generous and timely book donation to the Infant-Toddler Learning Center. They will help to reinforce the early learning skills the center teaches,” says Vicki Forbes, director of the center and the Building Better Beginnings Program.

At the Putnam Family & Community Services, Diane E. Russo, Chief Executive Officer and Christina McGuigan, Coordinator, Community-Based Services accepted reading kits for the families they support through home visits.

Diane Russo said “I know that the children will be so grateful for these precious gifts which will open the door to new and exciting adventures and knowledge for them as well as their families.”

Having all children reading proficiency by the end of 3rd grade is one of United Way’s key touch points for helping people become self-sufficient through a new initiative called United2Read. This initiative gives parents, teachers and children the reading tools they will need for success. Currently only 38% of the children in Westchester and Putnam are reading on grade level by the end of 3rd grade.

“We know that if our children are reading on grade level, their chance of success later in life significantly increases,” said Sweeny “We must get these children on track.”

To learn more about how you can be a volunteer with United2Read through tutoring, book drives and other supports, visit www.uwwp.org/smartstart.

About United Way of Westchester and Putnam

For the past 53 years, United Way of Westchester and Putnam has operated with the fundamental belief that all people deserve a quality education, enough income to support a family, and opportunities for a healthy lifestyle. United Way works with agency partners, government, businesses and community leaders to solve problems that are too complex for any one entity alone. All contributions go toward improving the education, income, and health of the children, youth and families throughout Westchester and Putnam. United Way’s Hudson Valley Region 2-1-1, covering Westchester and Putnam as well as Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, Sullivan and Ulster counties, answers up to 500 calls and 1,000 online inquiries per day ranging from tax, heating, and mortgage questions to childcare, basic needs, natural disaster and crisis calls. United Way of Westchester and Putnam is at 336 Central Park Ave., White Plains, NY 10606. They can be reached at 914-997-6700 or by visiting www.uwwp.org. Follow United Way on Facebook (www.facebook.com/UnitedWayWP) and Twitter (@UnitedWayWP) for the latest news and updates.