Hula hoops, balls, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, and outdoor games for children in United Way Success by 6 Centers was the focus of United Way’s Young Philanthropist Society (YPS) social held at Brät Brot in the Lakeview area of Birmingham. YPS members were asked to bring outdoor toys and activities for children who are a part of the Success by 6 Pre-K Initiative. The items collected in the drive will be used to make Summer Fun Kits to provide fun, healthy summer activities for Pre-K students.
Rosemary Turner, Risk Analyst at Brasfield & Gorrie and YPS Co-Chair, introduced Lead Reading Readiness Specialist of Success by 6, Ladye Franklin who said the toys will benefit the 400 children served by Success by 6 each year. The program offers services to Pre-K students and provides them with the essential tools they need to be prepared for kindergarten. Skilled School Readiness Specialists are trained to individually assess and evaluate children in the classrooms, so they can improve and develop new skills and be ready to enter kindergarten the following year. Each student in the program is given 15 books per year and any additional supplies that they may need.
Success by 6 provides support to classrooms in many other mission-critical capacities. Barbara Anderson, a provider at Beary Best of Care in Gardendale, said a recent fire at her center led to safety concerns about the effectiveness of the evacuation plan for students. Success By 6 immediately worked with Beary Best of Care to improve safety measures. A key need that arose was a special cart that can transport infants and toddlers quickly in time of emergency. Through generous local partnership, Deloitte & Touche stepped in to donate this cart. This center is among many throughout Central Alabama that have benefited from partnering with Success by 6.
Kevin Cook, CPA at Kassouf & Co and YPS Co-Chair said, “Many thanks to our YPS members for the many ways you support our community and thank you to Brät Brot for your generous support of this year’s Spring Social.”
United Way’s Young Philanthropists Society (YPS) is a group of young professionals who live and work in Central Alabama and are creating their legacy through United Way with an annual gift of $1,000 or more. Members of YPS receive opportunities to learn more about community needs through tours of partner agencies, chances to take part in hands-on volunteer projects, invitations to network with like-minded peers and corporate and community leadership, and company and community recognition through their employer’s United Way campaign.
Interested in joining YPS? Please contact David Kinstley at david.kinstley@uwca.org or Elizabeth Ragland at eragland@uwca.org for more information.