News Release
Contact: Michael G. Gaffney, APR
Vice President, Marketing
Office: 330-643-5532
Cell: 330-701-8080
Date: March 6,
2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UNITED WAY OF SUMMIT COUNTY
LAUNCHES
LOCAL BORN LEARNING WEBSITE
(AKRON, OHIO) — The Women’s Leadership Giving Society of
United Way of Summit County announces the launch of their local Born
Learning website at
www.uwsummit.org/bornlearning. Born Learning is a national
public engagement campaign created by the United Way, Civitas and The
Advertising Council focused on creating early learning opportunities for
young children.
The Born Learning campaign shows parents, grandparents
and other caregivers how to turn everyday activities, a trip to the
grocery store, sorting laundry or a neighborhood walk into opportunities
to encourage learning. Research shows that parents and others need this
kind of help. Almost half of America’s kindergarteners enter school
unprepared says the U. S. Department of Education and low-income
children are a year or more behind. Early education is a foundation for
strong schools and a strong local economy. It prepares tomorrow’s
workforce for global competition, while ensuring that the children of
today’s workers enter school ready to succeed.
Bob Kulinski, President of United Way of Summit County,
said, “Early childhood education is emerging as one of the most critical
issues facing every community. Through Born Learning, United Way is
sharing innovative ways that parents and other caregivers can maximize
those years when a child is most open to learn.”
Parents don’t always know what to do to encourage early
learning, and don’t think they have the time to do what it takes. The
local Born Learning site is rich in content and hands-on activities for
parents and other caregivers and includes the following information:
A.
Born Learning Programs in Summit
County. Includes an overview of programs that the Women’s
Society is promoting locally through the Born Learning program.
B.
Free Downloadable Resources.
With links to more than 50 PDF formatted
Born Learning parent materials that can be printed for immediate use
or viewed online.
C.
Born Learning DVD.
Links to viewable clips from the Born Learning DVD narrated by Oprah
Winfrey and Maya Angelou. Each clip illustrates a different Born
Learning concept and includes a link for groups to request
consideration to receive a free DVD.
D.
Public Service Announcements.
Links to six TV PSAs that show parent/caregiver
using everyday activities to create fun learning moments.
E.
Bits of Understanding Newsletter.
Includes a form to subscribe to the “Bits of Understanding” monthly
email newsletter. Individuals can sign up to receive monthly tips
and ideas on how to help children learn. Also included are links to
archived back issues.
F.
Donate To Born Learning.
Provides a link where donations can be directed in support of the
Born Learning program.
G.
Contact Us.
Link to
bornlearning@uwsummit.org for additional information.
H.
Links.
Provides links to other relevant local websites.
About the Women’s Leadership Giving Initiative:
The Women’s Leadership Giving Society was organized
by United Way women in 1998 as a celebration of the power of women to
bring about positive change in our community through philanthropy and
service. It specifically promotes initiatives that support women and
children in Summit County. The goal of The Women’s Leadership Giving
Society is to educate, energize and empower women to impact and enrich
our community in these important areas.
United Way of Summit County improves lives by mobilizing
community assets for health and human services. For more information,
call 330-762-7601, visit our website at www.uwsummit.org, or write to us
at United Way of Summit County, 90 N. Prospect St., P.O. Box 1260,
Akron, Ohio 44309-1260.
