Latest news with #DorothyChambers
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
United Way of the Wabash Valley awards over $60,000 to the children
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— The United Way of the Wabash Valley has awarded $61,601 to two Success by 6 programs in the area. These programs are aimed at strengthening early childhood development and aim to benefit children across the Wabash Valley. The United Way gave $39,689 through its On the Path to PTQ grant program to five home-based childcare providers. On the Path to PTQ is a program to support those providers and improve their quality of care, and help them progress in the state's Path to QUALITY (PTQ) system. The PTQ system is how the state rates early care and and education and the improvements needed. The PTQ system allows families to identify quality childcare programs through a rating of one to four, where one means licensing compliance and four means national accreditation. Providers that participate in the United Way's grant program can receive up to $10,000 for classroom improvements, professional development, and steps toward the level four accreditation. The locations who received the grants are: ABC Preschool and Daycare Sammie's Sunshine Academy Kidzplay Little Duckling Childcare Bailee's Buddies 'Licensed home providers are essential to our region's early learning ecosystem,' said Executive Director Dorothy Chambers. 'We're investing in their growth so more children can benefit from stable, enriching, high-quality early learning environments.' Lastly, through the Successful Parenting Initiative, the United Way gave $21,912 to the Terre Haute Children's Museum. This money will be used to start an innovative research-backed program for families with children aged 3 to 18 months. The program will teach parents/caregivers the benefits of guided play. Guided play is an evidence-based approach to learning that supports brain development during the quickest part of children's cognitive growth. The program specifically serves families enrolled in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, to give easier access to high-quality developmental opportunities. 'We know that early exposure to STEM concepts and adult-guided exploration lay a foundation for lifelong learning,' said Michele Bennett, Community Impact Specialist at United Way. 'This program gives families the tools to grow and learn together.' Guided play blends child play with parental direction. According to the news release, research shows that when a caregiver participates by asking open-ended questions and models curiosity, children develop stronger language skills, problem-solving, and critical thinking. The new program at the museum will coach parents to become active learning partners with their kids. Key features of the program are: Family engagement events at the Children's Museum, featuring interactive play stations aligned with early STEM, literacy, and social-emotional learning. · Take-home kits with 'guided play' activity cards, prompts, and short videos created by local university students to reinforce learning at home. · Access Pass sign-ups, helping low-income families afford Children's Museum visits all year long. · Special events, including a holiday Family Night and storytelling sessions with guest educators. 'With support from United Way, we're empowering parents and caregivers to be confident co-learners,' said Holly Curtsinger, Director of ISU's Early Childhood Education Center and co-chair of Success By 6. 'It's not just about helping children succeed in school—it's about nurturing the parent-child bond and building strong, stable families.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Nine local non-profits receive over $134,000 in grants
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – Nine local non-profits received a financial boost on Wednesday. The Wabash Valley Community Foundation awarded over $134,000 in grants to the organizations. The funding will help non-profits accomplish things like buying new equipment and supplies and creating new programs. For the United Way of the Wabash Valley, the funding will support the Home Down Payment Assistance Program. It's a program that helps offset down payment and closing costs that might otherwise prohibit families from owning a home. 'If a family can own a home, we know that through many studies and experiences, that they will experience better health both mentally and physically. Their children will do better in school. Families will be able to put money into savings,' said Dorothy Chambers, Interim Executive Director of the United Way of the Wabash Valley. The grants are made possible by numerous endowment funds created by individuals, families, and organizations. Wabash Valley Community Foundation President and CEO Beth Tevlin said Lilly Endowment is doubling the donations they receive. She said that in Vigo County, the organization only has about $350,000 left to raise to reach just over $1 million. If the organization does that, it will receive $2 million from Lilly Endowment. A full list of Wednesday's grant recipients is below: American Red Cross – $2,500 in support of marketing costs to raise awareness of blood drives within Vigo County. City of Terre Haute – $10,000 for the purchase and installation of two water fountains in Terre Haute that are located near heavily populated walking trails. Crossroads of America Council – Boy Scouts – $10,000 to assist with membership costs and associated fees for Vigo County families. Indiana American Academy of Pediatrics – $15,000 in support of the 'Reach Out and Read' program which provides new books to children at well-child visits for the purpose of promoting early literacy and school readiness. Program is delivered and followed up by trained pediatricians. SHINE Foster Family Resources – $4,900 for the purchase of essential teen clothing and clothing racks. Terre Haute Children's Museum – $25,000 in support of making 'Toddler Tuesdays' which provides activities for children ages three months to five years old, more accessible. Terre Haute Symphony Association – $5,000 in support of afterschool and summer programming in collaboration with the YMCA and Camp Navigate. United Way of the Wabash Valley – $24,000 in support of the Home Down Payment Assistance Program. Wabash Valley Master Gardeners – $17,640 for the purchase of a tractor and additional gardening equipment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
United Way holding 3rd annual childcare provider event
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — For the third straight year, United Way's 'Success by 6' is hosting a childcare provider professional development event. The event will take place on April 12th, at Ivy Tech in Terre Haute. It is free of charge for childcare providers that sign up. The event will include development workshops, resource tables from local and state organizations, and network opportunities. This year, there will also be a keynote speaker. Executive Director of United Way of the Wabash Valley, Dorothy Chambers, said events like this can have an effect on the entire community. 'Childcare providers offer high quality early learning, nurturing, caring environments that set children up for success in school and beyond', Chambers said. 'It also provides support for economic vitality in our community. High quality childcare allows parents to engage in the workforce, be more successful in their jobs, and provide overall family stability.' United Way is giving free CPR training to the first 30 childcare providers to register. If you would like to sign up, you can visit United Way of the Wabash Valley's website here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
