September is a big month for United Ways. For United Way of Muscatine, it's also a month of kickoff and beginnings. If you have been reading our newsletter, you've probably gotten familiar with Donovan. Donovan had the opportunity to get back into the classroom with a teaching position, so he is doing just that in the Davenport school district working with at-risk students. We appreciate all that he did in the year that he was here. Donovan's departure gave us the opportunity to welcome back Michele Rhoades to United Way. In the past, Michele has worked with United Way and a couple of other non-profits in town. She was working outside the community for a few months before coming back to take over our Resource Development spot. We're excited to have her rejoin the team and I'm sure you'll learn more about her in the coming months. Speaking of beginnings, next Wednesday, September 20th, will be our big day. That marks our annual Day of Caring as well as the kickoff to our campaign. It's a perfect reminder of all of the work that we're doing to make this community a great place. We get to mark the start of our fundraising campaign while also getting hundreds of volunteers working on projects throughout the community. Please join us at the Pearl City Station at 7:30 for the kickoff. Friday, September 22nd is Live United Day. We encourage everyone to wear their Live United shirts that day. If you need a shirt, give our office a call and order yours for just $10. And if you are ever interested in learning more about what we're doing in the community, we'd be happy to meet with you or your group.

Thank you for reading.

Overview

Since its beginning in spring 2011, the Sunset Park Afterschool Program has demonstrated its effectiveness in helping students achieve academic proficiency, building trusting relationships with Sunset Park families and furthering the Housing Agency's mission to provide opportunities for upward mobility. By offering quality afterschool instruction and homework help, the Afterschool Program eliminates many barriers to academic achievement that students face. Students come to the Afterschool Program when they are dropped off by the school bus at the end of the school day. Two caring staff members assist the students and encourage them in their academic pursuits. The program coordinator maintains communication with the students' teachers regarding their school performance. Since the program is located at Sunset Park, the students walk home at the end of the program without concerns for security or traffic safety. Because the program is on-site, parents have access to the program and staff, enabling them to easily address concerns, volunteer at the center, and attend special family events.

In addition to the Afterschool Program during the school year, the Sunset Park Education Program includes a Summer Enrichment Program which provides a free healthy lunch though a partnership with the United Way summer lunch program. Activities are provided to the students to enrich their summer experience, maintain their academic level, and give them a better understanding of their community. The students take part in the Musser Library's Summer Reading Program, take field trips to interesting places in the community, have guest speakers, and swim. Some of the places the students visited last summer were the Y, the Muscatine Art Center, Aquatic Center, Public Safety Center, City Hall, Discovery Park and Riverside Park. Participants in the summer program also maintained a community garden. Staff used the garden vegetables in recipes for the children to try.