Generosity - United Way

United Way book distribution doubles

United Way of Southeast Missouri -- through Success by 6, its early childhood education initiative -- distributed 811 books during the 2013-2014 school year, nearly doubling the 440 books reportedly distributed in the previous year. These were in addition to the 405 Destination Kindergarten books distributed to six area school districts.

United Way's GRACES Women's Council funded the purchase of an additional 700 books for the Blanchard Elementary School and Scott City Elementary School Birthday Cart program that provides one free book to each student in the school during their birthday month.

Results of the DIAL-3 -- Developmental Indicators for the Assessment of Learning-3) -- given to pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students in Cape public schools, indicate language as the weakest of four skill areas. In response, Success by 6 provided a large allotment of books to Parents as Teachers and Building Blocks, home visitation programs with a literacy and school readiness emphasis, in addition to its typical recipients as part of its Born Learning events. Also new to receive books this year were WIC (Women, Infant, and Children's) and Head Start. Statistics indicate that more than 60 percent of low-income families have no books at all in their homes for children, contributing to low literacy skills and poor academic performance.

Book donations are accepted at the United Way office, 430A Broadway in Cape Girardeau. More information is available at unitedwayofsemo.org.