Photos

The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, has announced a significant contribution to help expand support of the United Way's Success by 6 initiative in the Mahoning Valley. PNC's donation, coupled with funding from Rep. Tim Ryan and the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, will support an initial pre-kindergarten readiness program offered at 12 area schools this summer.

This spring, local school districts will conduct registration for the incoming class of kindergarten students. During the registration, screenings will be conducted to determine each child's level of preparedness for kindergarten. Children identified as in need of additional preparation for kindergarten will be invited - as class space permits - to the Success by 6 summer kindergarten readiness program offered by each school district, with financial support from the United Way program.

Garry Mrozek, regional president of PNC, made the recent announcement with Bob Hannon, president of United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, and Ryan. Children, teachers and community members gathered at South Range Elementary School in North Lima, to hear details of the grants and the introduction of Grow Up Great in the Mahoning Valley. During the program, audience members were treated to a performance by South Range Elementary students.

"Research shows that children who are ready for kindergarten are far more likely to experience greater educational achievements, strive toward higher vocational aspirations and contribute to society later in life," said Mrozek. "Over the past five years, PNC has demonstrated its commitment to early childhood education through Grow Up Great grants, employee volunteerism and advocacy for this issue. We are excited to bring Grow Up Great to the Mahoning Valley through this donation to the United Way's Success by 6 program and look forward to building upon our legacy of giving within the region by supporting school readiness for local children."

Success by 6 is a framework developed by the United Way, with the purpose of providing children the resources and education to be happy, healthy and ready for success as they enter kindergarten. The announcement is part of PNC's Grow Up Great, a 10-year, $100 million bilingual initiative to improve early childhood education.

"We are so excited about the positive reaction we've received from the local elementary principals about the Success By 6 program," said Bob Hannon, president of the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. "There is a strong need for this kind of Pre-K readiness program in the Mahoning Valley, and acquiring funding was critical to expanding the program to as many schools as possible. We are grateful to Congressman Ryan and PNC for stepping up to support us as our largest sponsors of the program."

Gift of Kits: Success in School

As part of the efforts by PNC to help children reach their highest potential, Mrozek presented the United Way with a gift of 350 Happy, Healthy, Ready for School Learning Is Everywhere kits for use by participating Success by 6 schools.

Developed in conjunction with Sesame Workshop, the free bilingual, multimedia kits include a magazine for parents and caregivers, a children's activity book and cards, along with an original Sesame Street DVD that follows Elmo, Abby Cadabby, and their friends on a learning adventure through the everyday moments they have at home and on the go. Learning is Everywhere materials are available at www.sesameworkshop.org and, at no charge, on iTunes (www.iTunes.com).

Facebook  MySpace  Digg  Stumble    Mixx  Fark  del.icio.us   LiveSpaces

Member Comments

View Comments: | Post a comment

No comments posted for this article.

You must first login before you can comment.