Young Learners
June/July 2017

KindergartenCountdownCamp

We're excited to help kids get the best start in Kindergarten by supporting early learning opportunities!

On the path to Kindergarten success.

Taking turns. Sharing. Making new friends. Meeting teachers. Listening. Being curious and engaged.

These are just a few of the ingredients for a successful start to school. In early June, youngsters jumped on the path to success as part of the Kindergarten Countdown Camp.

Kindergarten Countdown Camp helps children who have little or no preschool experience, or who might be at risk, transition successfully into kindergarten. By attending this seven-week summer camp, children gain academic and social skills in a classroom setting while having fun. 


EarlyChildhoodExcellenceAwards

 Congratulations to all of the dedicated early childhood educators who were recognized at the recent Early Childhood Excellence Awards.

Does early childhood matter?

Did you know that nurturing high-quality early learning opportunities benefits the entire community?  

Economists have found that high-quality early childhood education offers one of the highest returns of any public investment - more than $7 for every dollar spent. Building a strong network of programs and partnerships for local young children and their parents is vital for our shared future.

That's why we are committed to supporting early learning connections like the 2017 "Indiana Summit for Economic Development via Early Learning Coalitions" and the annual Early Childhood Excellence Awards.
 

SusieGraham

"I've learned much about our agencies that I didn't know. Their work and the standards by which they work are absolutely inspiring."

Meet Susie Graham: Certification Task Force member.

"The work United Way member agencies do on a daily basis is astounding in its own right; to know they do it while adhering to stringent, rigorous certification standards also sends a message to the community that their support is well placed." In her role as a Certification Task Force member, Susie Graham, Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomington Resource Development Executive Director, appreciates learning about local social service agencies by digging in deep to review documents, policies, and procedures.


Free Community Tax Service Volunteer

Thanks to volunteers like Kyle Parker (right) and Community Initiatives Director Amy Leyenbeck (left) local residents using the Free Community Tax Service saved an estimated $705,000 in tax preparation fees.

More than $1,700,000 in local tax refunds!

The  Free Community Tax Service , a program of United Way of Monroe County and the Financial Stability Alliance for South Central Indiana, helped Monroe and Owen county residents file nearly 2,400 federal tax returns this spring and bring back more than $1.7 million dollars to our community in the form of refunds and tax credits.

Low- and moderate-income residents saved an estimated $705,000 in tax preparation fees. Community partners, including Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), AARP Tax Counseling for the Elderly (AARP/TCE), and 130 IRS-certified volunteers also assisted eligible tax filers in claiming valuable credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). 


StampOutHunger-Donation

Thanks from the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 828, Hoosier Hills Food Bank, and United Way of Monroe County for stepping up and donating more food than ever before!

Stamp Out Hunger breaks all the records!

The 2017 Stamp Out Hunger food drive in south-central Indiana had a record breaking year! In honor of the 25th Anniversary Stamp Out Hunger food drive, the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 828, Hoosier Hills Food Bank, and United Way of Monroe County challenged local residents to help feed more hungry Hoosiers by donating more food than ever before. 

And community members responded by giving the most food ever --- 48,826 pounds in Monroe County, which represents nearly a 25% increase, and 94,030 pounds overall from Monroe, Morgan, Daviess, Greene, Orange, Owen, Brown, Lawrence Counties, and Putnam counties. 
 

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United Way of Monroe County is a nonprofit organization that improves  people's lives by addressing critical needs today and working to reduce those needs tomorrow. Through our Community Action Fund, Priority Funds, and grant initiatives, we work with 25 member agencies and other community partners to focus resources on the building blocks for a better life: education, earnings, and the essentials.
 
441 S. College Ave, Bloomington, IN 47403 | (812) 334-8370