The Arc Westchester’s Post

Kali, our Marketing and Outreach Manager, is participating in this year’s Leadership Carroll cohort, and one of the cohort’s projects this year is to support early literacy in our community! They are developing family literacy kits that will be given to new families at Tanner during July. In addition to the kits, the group also wants to generate support for the existing literacy programs in the county. According to Ferst Readers, 37% of children arrive at kindergarten without the skills necessary for lifetime learning. Not only that, but cognitive processes develop rapidly in the first few years of life. By age 3, roughly 85% of the brain is developed. However, traditional education takes place in grades K-12, which begins at age five. Please consider donating to Ferst Readers and the West Georgia Regional Library System's 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program and help support early literacy in our community! Ferst Readers https://lnkd.in/dgbAGzcF 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten https://lnkd.in/df7pFgWP

Back-to-school checklist, I know it feels like summer just started but never hurts to get ahead of the curve! Checkout this post to help you and your kids feel prepared for the year. OR consider donating to get KC kids ready for the school year! Links included in the post.

If you believe in the power of arts to transform lives, and especially for our youngest learners, I hope you’ll take a moment to watch this short video. 🙏

https://lnkd.in/e-AYGWDe Florida Citizens Alliance (FLCA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit pursuing K-12 education reform in Florida. FLCA’s mission is to improve Florida’s K-12 education by uniting and empowering teachers, students, and parents. How can we accomplish this mission? Partly through a network of organized teams called KIDS FIRST.

This week marks both National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, as well as Community Schools Coordinator Appreciation Week. It's a time to highlight the critical role adult education plays in empowering individuals, advocate for increased funding, and celebrate the incredible work of Community Schools Coordinators across the country who are making a transformative impact on the lives of students and families. Here are five meaningful ways you can support adult education professionals and Community Schools Coordinators this week, especially those at Elev8 Baltimore: 1. Donate: Consider making a donation to support the essential work we do every day to help families thrive. 2. Send a Thank-You Card: Drop off a heartfelt thank-you card to a Community Schools Coordinator at your nearest school to show your appreciation. 3. Host a Breakfast or Lunch: Organize a breakfast or lunch to honor the coordinators and adult education staff in your area, providing them with a moment of relaxation and recognition. 4. Advocate for Resources: Raise awareness in your community and with local representatives about the importance of funding adult education programs and Community Schools initiatives. 5. Volunteer Your Time: Offer to volunteer at a community school or adult education program to assist with their ongoing efforts and show your support in a hands-on way. Your efforts can make a real difference in showing these professionals how much their work is valued and appreciated.

Founded in 2004, Higher Heights Youth Empowerment Programs, Inc. is a state-wide college access organization that promotes equal access and opportunities for under-represented college bound student to obtain a post-secondary education in Connecticut.  Our goal is to increase college readiness, participation and completion in Connecticut among low-income students, first-generation college-going students and students of color.Each year HHYEP has had 100% high school graduation rate, 100% college acceptance rate, and 80% parent involvement rate. Higher Heights has personally employed over 95 youth, 100% have graduated from high school, 95% have enrolled into college receiving over $10 million in scholarships and grants.  The mission of HHYEP is to change the lives of under-represented college bound students to EMPOWER, ENCOURAGE, and EQUIP them to obtain a post-secondary education. We’ve raised $3,000 so far and I am asking for you for support in Day 2 of The Great Give: https://lnkd.in/epBRpZ-t

Universal programs enhance equity—and because everyone benefits, universal programs reduce potential feelings of guilt, stigma and unfairness. Then we can all focus on care. What a great lesson. Too often, if it’s free in our society, it’s not universal and it is lower in quality. Wouldn’t it be great if we had free, universal childcare supports, free universal pre-K, free universal lunch like in Minnesota? What would happen if we funded all of our schools from one big pot—the same way this PTA is paying for supplies? Local control and reliance on property taxes for school funding have increased racial segregation and inequality. And harmed most of our children. Why not fund education instead through corporate and individual income taxes? Don’t all of our children deserve the best education? #freeuniversalschooling #freeuniversalpreK #education #equity #equityineducation

3.5 weeks till the half marathon and do you know why I'm running? 🤩 (picture was from my 8 mile training run in Florida this past weekend) 💫 To raise funds for Girls on the Run Philadelphia, a non profit after school program for 3rd-8th grade girls in Philadelphia where we inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running 💫 Did you know that out of the 5,000+ girls we've served, 75% of participants receive a scholarship to participate? (Majority of the participants live at or below the poverty level) 💫 Did you know that our program helps girls learn critical life skills? Like how to process emotions, resolve conflict, make intentional decisions, etc. 💫 Children today are exposed to longstanding gender stereotypes, societal obstacles and cultural challenges that can be detrimental to their emotional and physical health. Our program helps girls recognize their potential and rise above limiting gender expectations. Girls on the Run programs are about so much more than running – they make an impact at a critical age when confidence and physical activity decline. 💥 As a previous coach and current associate board member, I invite you to help us make a difference in the lives of these girls! https://lnkd.in/gterZwz6

At Julia de Burgos Elementary, they're nurturing the next generation of thinkers and leaders. Located in Philadelphia’s Fairhill neighborhood, our students face economic barriers that can impact their confidence and learning experience. That’s why they have launched the Unity for Uniform campaign. A clean and proper uniform is about more than school policy—it’s about giving our 700+ students the confidence to focus on their education without worrying about their appearance. Why Donate? -Boost Confidence: A fresh uniform means a fresh start to every school day. -Reduce Stigma: No student should feel ‘less than’ because of their attire. -Foster Equity: Level the playing field so every student can shine. How YOU Can Make an Impact: -Donate: Your contribution can help a student attend school with pride. -Spread the Word: Share our mission with your friends and family. Donate today: https://lnkd.in/erDSvZty Join us in making a difference. Every child deserves to learn without barriers.

As AEFL Week comes to a close, let's take a moment to reflect on the incredible impact that adult education and family literacy have on individuals and communities. This week has highlighted the vital role these programs play in transforming lives and opening doors to new opportunities. But our work doesn’t end here. You can continue to support adult students and their journeys by: Volunteering Your Time: Offer your skills and knowledge to local adult education programs. Your expertise can provide invaluable support to those striving to improve their lives. Donating: Financial contributions help sustain and expand programs that make a difference. Consider making a donation to organizations that support adult learners. Advocating: Raise awareness about the importance of adult education. Share stories, speak up in your community, and support policies that benefit adult learners. Mentoring: Share your experiences and guidance with adult students. Your mentorship can inspire and motivate them as they pursue their goals. Every action, big or small, contributes to a brighter future for adult learners. Let’s keep the momentum going and continue to champion the cause of adult education! Sign up to volunteer TODAY: https://bit.ly/4ehnaeT (or Link in our bio)