|
The overall goal of United Way
Success By 6 (SB6) is to work together as a community to ensure that our
children are ready to succeed when they enter kindergarten. Research clearly shows the direct connection
between coming to school ready to learn and success in school which in turn
equals a better chance for success in life after school.
The goal of the SB6 Initiative Mobile Learning efforts is that
participating children will enter school with increased school readiness
skills.
For several years, SB6 volunteers and staff
have traveled throughout our service area with Wild about Reading literacy
building activities in area parks to help keep enthusiasm for learning alive
over the summer months. Theme-based
Read-a-Rama's during winter months help connect learning activities with young
children and their parents, also.
During Summer 2011, an
expanded mobile learning program will be piloted over a 10 week period at a
targeted location to provide a quality
early learning program for young children who otherwise might not have the
opportunity to be involved.
This will be a one-hour long, four days a week program that utilizes
all components of quality early childhood education including reading, math,
social skills, science, physical development, arts and music.
During the school year 2011-12
the expanded mobile learning program will offer bi-weekly preschool daycare
visits.
Partners in the expanded
mobile learning program are: Marshall-Lyon
County Library, Area Libraries, Head Start (WCA), Marshall ECFE Program, CitySide
Townhomes, Iftiin, Inc.; Adult Basic Education, SMSU Early Childhood Program,
County Childcare Associations, School Districts, Success By 6 Partners and
United Way of Southwest Minnesota.
Funding for the first year of
the expanded mobile learning program is provided by the Otto Bremer Foundation. Created in 1944, the Otto Bremer Foundation
assists people in achieving full economic, civic, and social participation in
and for the betterment of their communities. The Foundation's work to help
build and maintain vibrant communities is based on the vision and legacy of
Otto Bremer, whose commitment to Bremer Bank communities and to those working
to make their lives better continues to guide the Foundation.
The Otto Bremer Foundation
owns the majority share of Bremer Bank, and a portion of the bank's profits
comes to the Foundation as dividends, enabling the Foundation to invest back in
the bank communities in the form of grants and program-related investments.
Organizations whose beneficiaries are residents of Minnesota, North Dakota, or
Wisconsin are eligible to apply for Foundation grants, with priority given to
communities served by Bremer Bank. In 2010, the Foundation provided more than
$24 million in grants and program-related investments.
|
