Byesville Rotary learns about United Way childhood literacy program

Pictured: Chuck Fair, Byesville Rotary President, and Stephanie Laube, Executive Director of the Guernsey and Noble Counties United Way.

Stephanie Laube, Executive Director of the Guernsey and Noble Counties United Way, spoke to the Byesville Rotary about an exciting project to improve early childhood literacy. The program was established 2 years ago in response to an assessment of community needs that identified a need to improve early childhood literacy skills.

Laube chose to work with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library which has a successful track record of improving early childhood literacy skills. In 2000, Parton announced that she would replicate her program in any community that would partner with her to support it locally.

The Dolly Parton program can provide a child with books for the low cost of $25 per year until the child reaches his or her 5^th birthday. Parton has partnered with the Penguin Library and US Postal Service to keep costs down. Laube registers a child in the program when she has raised $125 which will guarantee 5 years of books for the child.

Laube believes that this program will help insure local children start kindergarten prepared with skills needed to be successful. Studies indicate that the first 3 years of life are crucial for the development of literacy skills. Exposing a child to books and reading is a proven method to help a child develop these necessary skills. Studies following children who have participated in the Dolly Parton program indicate that these children are 4 times more likely to start kindergarten ready to learn.

No United Way campaign money is used to support the Parton program. All funds needed are raised by local fund raising events and grants. In 2 years, the United Way of Guernsey and Noble Counties, Inc. Women's Initiative has raised $14,000 and given out 900 books. Laube reported that this effort has been successful because of the efforts of 4 volunteers: Suzette Tidrick with East Guernsey School, Hilaree Homko with Guernsey County Children Services, Elissa Mallett with Guernsey County Children Service, and Stevie .

Currently, Laube has a waiting list of 30 children. Donations to support program can be sent in care of the United Way Women’s Initiative at United Way of Guernsey County, Inc., 611 Wheeling Ave, PO Box 5, Cambridge, OH 43725.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. The club meets 7:30 am, Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Walk-ins are welcome at the club’s meeting.