Tag: Early Learning

19 Jul

KCC Volunteer Spotlight: Nicole Jones

by Marketing DepartmentCategories: Kindergarten Countdown Camp, News

Here at United Way, we are fortunate to work with some of the most service-oriented, internally-driven and compassionate people in the community. Among them are the United Way interns, volunteers and staff. Today we’d like to spotlight Nicole Jones, one of our Kindergarten Countdown Camp (KCC) volunteers.

Nicole Jones
Pictured above is Nicole during a Kindergarten Countdown Camp

What is your role at the camp?

My role at Kindergarten Countdown Camp is to assist Ms. Beck with her class. I am with the class the whole day and work with the kids. I run the reading and math center everyday and work on skills such as coloring, cutting, letters, numbers, and writing their names.

So far, what has been the most memorable part about your involvement in the Kindergarten Countdown Camp?

The most memorable part of my involvement with Kindergarten Countdown Camp has been how sweet all of the kindergartners have been. One boy heard me say that my favorite color is yellow and, when he was coloring a picture, he used yellow and said, “look I used your favorite color!” Little things like that make my day. And at recess, I was pushing the kids on the swings and one girl noticed her classmate sitting on the playground and ran over to him. He came running to the swings with a big smile on his face after she gave him her swing for a turn. They all have such kind hearts and it’s so cool to witness their kindness.

Have there been any students or teachers, in particular, that have impacted you and how?

Ms. Beck, the teacher that I assist, has greatly impacted me. I want to be a kindergarten teacher and she is always open to giving me advice and talking about her experiences of being a teacher. She always goes over her lesson plans with me so that I have a better understanding of what the kids are learning and how to teach them the material.

Do you think Kindergarten Countdown Camp is making an impact on the children that attend?

I truly believe that Kindergarten Countdown Camp is making a huge impact on the children that attend. The kids that walked in on the first day of summer have come so far. They have learned how to behave in a classroom, such as raising hands, standing in line, and listening to the teacher. They have also learned so many skills, such as letters, numbers, colors, cutting and writing their names. The kids are definitely better prepared to begin kindergarten after this camp.

What does education mean to you?

Education means more opportunities and opens doors. I think it is extremely important to focus on education to create more possibilities in life.

To support the expansion of early childhood programs, like Kindergarten Countdown Camp, visit www.LIVEUNITEDlakecounty.org/give.

To learn more about internship opportunities at United Way, click here.

17 Jul

KCC Volunteer Spotlight: Peggy Lavin

by Marketing DepartmentCategories: Kindergarten Countdown Camp, News

Here at United Way, we are fortunate to work with some of the most service-oriented, internally-driven and compassionate people in the community. Among them are the United Way interns, volunteers and staff. Today we’d like to spotlight Peggy Lavin, a Kindergarten Countdown Camp volunteer.

What is your role at the camp?

As a volunteer, I assist two teachers in preparing almost twenty children for kindergarten. The children will be attending kindergarten this school year and many, if not all, have not experienced any prior preschool education. Everything about school is new to these children: buses, lining up, the cafeteria, following teachers’ directions, cutting with scissors, etc.  I help the teachers set up for the educational activities (concentrating on basic reading and math skills) and help the children implement the teachers’ directions.

So far, what has been the most memorable part about your involvement in the Kindergarten Countdown Camp?

Watching the children gain educational and social skills that will prepare them for kindergarten.

Have there been any students or teachers, in particular, that have impacted you and how?

I am lucky to be working with two, very competent teachers. One teacher focuses on basic reading skills, while the other, basic math skills. I am very impressed with their daily preparation and collaborative approach to teaching.

The students are like sponges, absorbing new experiences and skills every day. They get excited with each success and are proud to take their work home to show their parents.

Do you think Kindergarten Countdown Camp is making an impact on the children that attend?

Each day that I volunteer, I note educational and social improvement on an individual and group basis. After three weeks, it is amazing what the children have accomplished!

What does education mean to you?

I value education highly and believe that each child needs and has a right to the best educational opportunities a community can provide. Education provides a child with the skills to be successful in life.

To support more programs, like Kindergarten Countdown Camp, visit www.LIVEUNITEDlakecounty.org/give.

09 Jul

A Reflection of My KCC Volunteer Experience: Candy Carrasco

by Marketing DepartmentCategories: Kindergarten Countdown Camp, News

Here at United Way, we get to work with a variety of people across many different fields in many different ways. This blog was written by one of our Kindergarten Countdown Camp (KCC) volunteers, Candy Carrasco. Read on to hear from Candy as she reflects on her experience volunteering for KCC.

Candy KCC Volunteer
 Pictured above is Candy during a Kindergarten Countdown Camp.

Kindergarten Countdown Camp has been such a wonderful experience. I have the pleasure of taking on the role of a teacher’s assistant where I work with children around the age of 5, teaching them how to learn new abilities that will help them progress in kindergarten.

One of the most memorable moments of KCC is watching a 5-year-old smile after completing a task they didn’t think they could accomplish. I love teaching children the confidence to say “Hey, I can do this!”

One student in particular stood out to me; her name is Sofia. The very first day, Sofia was balling her eyes out, insisting she wanted to go home. She walked out of the cafeteria, heading for the school entrance, when I stopped her and asked her what was wrong. It was clear she didn’t want to be there but I wanted her to understand that she needed to give KCC a try. So, I calmed her down (which was a learning experience for me) and I was able to gain her trust. She didn’t want me to leave her side in class, so I sat next to her until she became more comfortable with her classmates. By the time we hit recess, she was having a blast. The next day of school she was more than happy to be there. She is a bright young girl who I have the pleasure of working with. She taught me how to take control of a situation, something I never expected a child to teach me.

KCC definitely has a positive impact on the children who attend. Every student learns something new every day. Whether it be new material, manners, cooperation, or kindness; every week I get to witness students progressing in their learning. I enjoy working with KCC because I value education highly.

In my view, education sets an individual free. It allows us humans to come to an understanding about the world, which is constantly changing. Education evolves every day just as much as we do. Without education, we would be enslaved within our own minds, stuck in the same mindset without ever progressing.

28 Jun

Women United See KCC Come to Life in North Chicago

by Marketing DepartmentCategories: Kindergarten Countdown Camp, News

On June 26, Women United members volunteered as Reading Buddies at the North Chicago Kindergarten Countdown Camp (KCC). Reading Buddy volunteers spend an hour in the classroom introducing the concept of books, stories and reading to the children attending camp.

KCC children with craftPictured above are some of the children Women United volunteers read with, displaying their craft masks.

Since 2016, Women United has built a strong partnership with the North Chicago community, providing resources and funding to support many early childhood programs at the Green Bay Early Childhood Center.

“We are thankful to have worked within the North Chicago community over the past few years,” says Diana Nielander, Affinity Group Manager of Women United. “We loved getting into Green Bay Early Childhood Center and providing some of the resources needed to enhance the children’s learning experiences. We are proud to be able to continue our presence there now and provide additional funding for exceptional programs. We believe that these layered services have the biggest impact.”

This year, Women United allocated $60,000 to Success By 6’s Kindergarten Countdown Camp to expand into two additional communities, North Chicago and Round Lake. Thanks to Women United, 30 children, with little to no preschool experience, in North Chicago are attending a 6-week camp at Green Bay Early Childhood Center where they will learn the basic skills needed to succeed in kindergarten.

Along with Kindergarten Countdown Camp, Women United has provided the following in grants to support the North Chicago community:

  •  $23,000 for Success By 6 Home Visiting – this program provides in-home early intervention for families with infants and preschool-age kids who are struggling with poverty and have limited access to health and community services.
  • $15,000 for Better Together – this early learning program, that takes place at Green Bay Early Childhood Center in North Chicago, focuses on family engagement and building new skills for children 0-3 years old by providing individualized attention to families.

Women United has periodic informational meetings, called Wine & Learns. The next Wine & Learn is on August 21, 2018 from 6-7:30 PM in Libertyville at a member’s home. Interested? Contact Janice by emailing janice.scarbalis@uwlakeco.org.

Join Women United on Saturday, August 4 for their Booze, Bites, Beats & Bingo summer fundraiser from 7-10 PM  at the North Shore Distillery.  For more information and to RSVP, click here.




26 Jun

Kindergarten Countdown Camp: Round Lake Principal Testimonial

by Marketing DepartmentCategories: Kindergarten Countdown Camp, News

Up next for our Kindergarten Countdown Camp (KCC) summer blog series, we’d like to introduce Jason Smith, the principal at Pleviak Elementary School. During the month of June, 30 students are attending a 3-week KCC at Pleviak Elementary in Round Lake.

What benefits does Kindergarten Countdown Camp have for the children and families attending?

Kindergarten Countdown Camp gives kids who have no formal preschool experience a chance to “learn” what school is about and refresh/review/reinforce important literacy and numeracy skills. It also gives the families a chance to connect early with the school and gain familiarity with us.

How has your partnership with United Way benefitted the Round Lake School District?

They have helped us in so many ways over the years – from providing school supplies, to providing fun events, to helping with better preparing our soon-to-be kindergarten students for school. We could not be more thankful to the United Way for all their help!

Why is it important for children to be on track and ready to learn when first starting kindergarten?

Recent research has shown that students that lack any formal preschool experience often start kindergarten at a disadvantage when it comes to basic literacy, numeracy, social and emotional skills. The more that parents can do to prepare their children for their first formal year in education, the better! A successful year of kindergarten often translates to success in elementary school and beyond.

What does education mean to you?

It is the key that can unlock any dream for any student. Even in kindergarten, we are preparing our students to be collaborative, independent thinkers and problem solvers.

21 Jun

June 2018 e-Newsletter

by Jennifer StromCategories: News, Newsletter

Program Highlight: Early Reading Success

Last year, our Reading Success Program launched a new initiative called Early Reading Success, a program developed to expose kindergarten students to the basics of reading. In this initiative, trained volunteers read stories to small groups of children and lead them in a short activity related to what they have just read.

Early Reading Success just completed its school year in three Waukegan elementary schools, serving about 75 students. All students, in participating classrooms, went home at the end of the year with a summer practice packet (pictured above) and book to continue their love of reading and learning during the summer months, and to prevent summer slide.

Check out our recent blog article to learn more about summer slide and how United Way is helping prevent summer learning loss in Lake County.

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Join in on the Summer FUNdraiser!

Women United invites you to the North Shore Distillery on Saturday, August 4 for a fun night of custom cocktails (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), bingo, a 50/50 raffle, silent auction, distillery tour, prizes and a cocktail making demonstration! This event is for both men and women.

All proceeds will support critical early prevention and early literacy programs through their Little Kids, Big Futures Fund. Since 2014, Women United has distributed over $370,000 to worthy nonprofits to ensure children living in Lake County’s most vulnerable communities are prepared for kindergarten and ready to succeed.

Tickets are now on sale! Click below to reserve your spot by July 24.

Learn More.

Volunteers in Action: AbbVie

On May 30, a group of more than 40 volunteers from AbbVie helped revitalize One Hope United’s Lake Villa location. AbbVie employees spent their day painting, cleaning, building a fence, organizing the library and beautifying the grounds. Thank you, AbbVie, for making a difference in Lake County!

Watch a slideshow of photos from the volunteer event by clicking below.

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Preventing the “Summer Slide”

Over the course of the summer, idle, low-income students lose two to three months worth of reading skills compared to students who are not low-income. Some call this “summer slide”. To address summer slide, we developed Kindergarten Countdown Camp (KCC), an initiative under our Success By 6 Program, designed to bridge the gap for Lake County’s youngest learners.

The free camps are open to incoming kindergartners with little to no preschool experience nor have been in a classroom setting. At KCC, licensed teachers focus on teaching children the basic skills needed for Kindergarten, such as knowing their letters, numbers and how to write their name. The children learn the routine of school, develop new skills, meet new friends and realize they can succeed in a school setting.

Preventing summer slide is a considerable factor in ensuring all Lake County children are on a pathway to future success. Click below to read the full article.

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Program Highlight: Better Together

Our Success By 6 Program’s Better Together initiative just completed its spring sessions at Green Bay Early Childhood Center in North Chicago. Since its inception, Better Together has provided a community for parents to learn how to be their child’s first teacher and provide a safe place where children (birth to three) can develop the readiness, physical and cognitive skills crucial to their education.

In July, Better Together will begin its summer sessions that will include interesting and fun activities to help prepare participating children for future school success. If you know of someone who is interested in attending a weekly class of learning, playing and developing school readiness skills with their child, age birth to three, contact Rosa Herrera at rosa.herrera@uwlakeco.org.

To learn more about Better Together summer sessions, click below.

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A Lovely Thank You to Women United

Women United recently received a very thoughtful thank you video from the B.E.S.T. Pre-K Program, one of their philanthropy fund grantees! Women United’s funding will continue to allow this Round Lake Area Park District program to provide 20 scholarships for children who otherwise would not have access to preschool. We are always excited to see more opportunities for children to get prepared for kindergarten and ready to learn.

Check out the video below!

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19 Jun

Kindergarten Countdown Camps, Preparing Children for their Futures

by Marketing DepartmentCategories: Kindergarten Countdown Camp, News

The future belongs to those who prepare for it today. -Malcolm X

Kindergartners Preparing for the Future

When Malcolm X said those words, he probably wasn’t thinking about four and five-year-olds, but this week a whole group of children entered the doors of a school for the very first time. They are heading to Kindergarten Countdown Camp (KCC) and they may not realize it, but they are preparing for a future of success.

United Way of Lake County’s Kindergarten Countdown Camp is a free summer program for incoming kindergarten students who have little to no preschool experience. These children are far less likely to start kindergarten with the basic skills needed to keep up with their peers. Unfortunately, those who start behind are likely to stay behind throughout their school years – unless they have some help. That is why United Way of Lake County developed KCC, providing it in partnership with local school districts and funding from Women United of Lake County (formerly Women’s Leadership Council).

KCC ensures that the first experience these children have with school is positive. Licensed teachers focus on teaching children the basic skills needed for kindergarten, such as knowing their letters, numbers and how to write their name. They also learn the routine of school, develop new skills, meet new friends and realize they can succeed in a school setting. The assessments at the end of camp consistently show that these children are now better prepared to enter kindergarten. Volunteers, school faculty and United Way staff ensure that every child gets the attention they need to improve their skills.

And it is G-R-O-W-I-N-G! The program started in 2015, serving 23 students in Waukegan. Four years later, 150 children in four communities (Beach Park, North Chicago, Round Lake and Waukegan) will participate. We are thrilled that the reputation for this impactful program has spread and principals are now asking United Way to offer KCC in their communities!

If the future belongs to those who prepare for it today, then these children are off to a great start!

This summer, we will share updates from KCCs throughout Lake County including volunteer and teacher testimonials, photos and videos from student activities and much more!

15 May

Women United Allocates $133,250 Towards Funding for Early Literacy Programs

by Jennifer StromCategories: News

Women United is Lake County’s premiere women’s organization for strengthening the community through philanthropy, leadership and volunteerism while creating a meaningful sense of belonging.  Just this month, it was announced that Women United will allocate $133,250 in grants, through its Little Kids, Big Futures Philanthropy Fund to support six critical early prevention and early literacy programs that will ensure the foundation for strong and successful academic futures for Lake County’s most vulnerable children.

Women United members toured the Child Development Center at the Round Lake Area Park District to see $24,000 in action! From Left, Joan Ellis, Judy Armstrong, WU member, Beth Krenzer, WU Member, Lynn Morrissey, Jeanne Kearby, WU member, Jennifer Sparrow, Amy Pruitt.

Directed by Women United members, the following programs will receive grants this summer:

$60,000 – Success By 6 – Kindergarten Countdown Camp in Beach Park, North Chicago, Round Lake & Waukegan

Kindergarten Countdown Camp (KCC) ensures that children who are entering kindergarten with little or no preschool experience, get the basic skills they need to start school prepared. This initiative has proven to be successful in Waukegan and has now expanded to reach more kids. Funding will expand KCC in Waukegan, Beach Park, Round Lake, and North Chicago and serve 150 children.

$24,000 – B.E.S.T. Pre-K Program

Funding will continue to allow this Round Lake Park District program to provide 20 scholarships for children who otherwise would not have access to preschool. With this opportunity, children will be prepared for kindergarten and ready to learn.

$23,000 – Success By 6 – Home Visiting in North Chicago, Waukegan & Zion

This program provides in-home early intervention for families with infants and preschool-age kids struggling with poverty and who have limited access to health and community services. Funding will support high-risk families in North Chicago, Waukegan and Zion with their most critical needs.

$15,000 – Better Together – Green Bay Early Childhood Center (GBECC)

This early learning program focuses on family engagement and building learning skills for children 0-3 years old by providing individualized attention to families. Funding will support 36 sessions. Each session will serve 12-18 families.

$8,000 – Early Learning Club – Waukegan Public Library

Early Learning Club provides children entering kindergarten with the basic skills they need to be ready and able to learn, and empowers parents as their child’s first teacher. The library will hold 1 – 2 early learning classes monthly.

$3,250 – HUGS Baby Talk Initiative – Waukegan 

HUGS (Heroines United for Giving and Support) is a community engagement initiative of Women United where members embrace a school, project or community with the caring and resources it needs to succeed. This year, Women United’s HUGS Committee started a new partnership with Waukegan’s Baby Talk, that identifies families with children ages birth-to-three in need of early intervention programming or preschool special education services.

Thinking ahead to 2019 and beyond, UWLC’s Women United philanthropy group is positioned to continue grow and mobilize community-minded women through leadership and resource development to expand its impact on early childhood literacy.

To learn how you can get involved in UWLC’s Women United and to know about the Little Kids, Big Futures Philanthropy Fund Guidelines, please contact Affinity Group Manager, Diana Nielander, at Diana.Nielander@uwlakeco.org or plan on attending their next Wine and Learn on August 21 at 6 p.m. in Libertyville. Click here for more information about prospective member events such as Wine & Learns.

For more information about Women United, visit: www.LIVEUNITEDlakecounty.org/womenunited

09 Jan

Kindergarten Countdown Camp 2017 Recap

by Marketing DepartmentCategories: News

This past summer, our Success By 6 Program hosted two Kindergarten Countdown Camps (KCC) in the Waukegan and Beach Park communities. At KCC, incoming kindergarteners learned the basic skills needed to start school this fall on the right foot. Here to share the results from our 2017 Kindergarten Countdown Camps is our Success By 6 Program Manager, Edna Galvan.

What is Kindergarten Countdown Camp?

Kindergarten Countdown Camp is a free summer program for incoming kindergarten students with limited to no preschool experience that provides them with the skills and resources they need to have a successful start to kindergarten.

Where did KCC take place this summer? How many children attended?

This past summer, we held Kindergarten Countdown Camp in Waukegan and Beach Park serving 69 students.

What were the results of the 2017 Kindergarten Countdown Camp?

At the start and end of KCC we assessed the students on their knowledge of 8 kindergarten readiness skills which are colors, numbers, letters, shapes, writing their name, general coordination, fine motor skills, and book familiarity. In Waukegan, at the start of camp, 29% of the students averaged ‘in progress’ or better across the eight skills. By the end of camp, 50% of the students averaged ‘in progress’ or better. At the start of KCC in Beach Park, students averaged 39% and by the end of KCC, 50% of the students did.

Which Community Partners helped make Kindergarten Countdown Camp possible?

  • Waukegan Public School District 60
  • Beach Park Community Consolidated School District 3
  • Women’s Leadership Council
  • Grainger
  • Kohl Children’s Museum
  • Quill

Any personal stories of children that have been impacted by KCC?

At the beginning of camp we had one student who came in not knowing how to write or identify the letters of their name. With the support of his teachers and volunteers he practiced writing his name one letter at a time. By the end of camp, he was able to successfully write his name and became one of the few students of his class who was able to write his name.

Click to play the video below to meet the teachers and children who attended this summer’s Kindergarten Countdown Camps.

25 Sep

Better Together: Fall 2017 Session

by Marketing DepartmentCategories: News

Our Better Together Program has started back up this fall at Green Bay Elementary School in North Chicago. We are thrilled to continue our Better Together blog series to give our supporters a first-hand look into this program and the children and families it serves. For our first post, we asked our Success By 6 Initiative Coordinator, Rosa Herrera, to give some history on this program and why it was developed in North Chicago.

What is Better Together?

United Way of Lake County’s Better Together Program was developed to increase services for North Chicago families with children birth to 3-years of age. Our Better Together Initiative started in the Fall of 2016, in a joint collaboration of Green Bay Early Childhood Center, our Women’s Leadership Council and our Success By 6 Program.

Success By 6’s goal in North Chicago is to improve key school readiness skills and improve parent engagement in learning for children ages birth to age five. With the implementation of Better Together in North Chicago we engage the child’s “special adult” to proactively explore and implement tools and techniques to become their child’s first teacher. In collaboration of the child’s “special adult” we help children develop age-appropriate social, emotional, and intellectual skills needed to begin school ready to learn.

Share a bit about the population Better Together serves.

Illinois Report Card (NC-SD 187) 2015-2016 demonstrates over 80% of its student population as low income students. While North Chicago faces many challenges, Better Together seeks to provide equitable opportunities to increase school readiness and lifelong success. We strive to create an inclusive environment where families feel comfortable and safe to support their child’s early development.

At Better Together you will find families who live in North Chicago and on the Great Lakes Naval Base. A camaraderie is formed as families understand they share a common goal of wanting their child to accomplish their dreams. We recognize that every child is unique with an array of strengths and abilities and meet the child and their families where they are at. At Better Together we understand the uniqueness of each individual; respect the diversity in families and children; and recognize that children are best supported and understood in the context of culture, family, community and society.

What has the outcome been for children and families that have participated in the program?

The families of Better Together are guided to create better outcomes for their child’s growth and development. Both adults and children develop a sense of belonging, self-worth, and ownership as they contribute to the group’s efforts, as well as learning how to effectively express themselves amongst others. By sharing their experiences they are connected and encouraged by other families who face similar circumstances.

Our commitment in Better Together is to create an environment where parents and children are exposed to learning tools they can use in everyday life. In every session we engage children on a variety of levels, whether it’s through interest-driven activities or encouraging them to learn a new skill; the opportunities are endless. Exposing them to such experiences promotes social, emotional and intellectual skills of children.

What positive changes has the community seen through this program?

Through the application of a variety of materials such as, books, toys, and pictures, that are culturally responsive to our classroom environment families see themselves portrayed in the larger context of their community. By creating a solid foundation in which families understand that they play a critical role in stimulating their child’s growth and development, we carve a path to future success. Ultimately, with this solid foundation, Better Together children will have a greater chance of achieving their education and lifelong goals. Preparing them to become our future workforce, citizenry and leaders of our communities.

In October, we will share a mother’s perspective on the program. To view our past Better Together blog posts, click here.

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