Wednesday, August 8, 2001
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Wednesday, August 8, 2001 |
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United Way achieving community impact By CAROLYN
CARY
Mike Jablonski, chairman of the Fayette County United Way Advisory Board, invited members of the county Chamber of Commerce to work together in making an impact on the community. He spoke at the chamber's Breakfast Before Hours about a community impact plan that would affect safety regarding children. Jablonski said affordable, quality preschool and child care would mean success in school, which would in turn mean less truancy; problem resolution and coping skills would allow for a stronger community, and employment and training allows families to be economically self-sufficient. Involvement in neighborhood and civic issues and active leadership by organizations and associations will create a stronger community. "When people come together and have a common vision," he said, "they can make a difference." Fayette County's director of community education, Jim Pittman, said he is grateful for United Way's support of the program. "It enables us to have a high ratio of teachers or care givers to students, one to three students. In some cases, it's one to one. And we have 40 to 50 kids in each session." Pittman also noted that the program costs $190 per student, plus transportation costs, and virtually every child requires door-to-door transportation. "Thanks to United Way grants, we are able to honor requests for this kind of transportation," he said. This year, United Way will invest more than $941,000 in programs and initiatives in Fayette County. Donations will allow the organization to align with one or more solution areas, making the region safer and stronger. These would include nurturing children and youth, strengthening families, increasing economic self-sufficiency, encouraging citizen involvement and basic needs. The 2001 Pacesetters were announced as agreeing to begin its United Way campaign early: Cooper Lighting, Fayette Community Hospital, Fayette Senior Services, Hoshizaki America, Pathway Communities and Sealed Air.
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