BEFORE

I’m Shirley, from Bexley.

I heard about United Way of Central Ohio’s Columbus Kids program at my retirement banquet. I was a teacher for 25 years in the Columbus City School system, and I still want to help children and families in the community.

As a teacher, I saw first-hand that when children start kindergarten without the basic skills they need to succeed in school,  they can struggle for years to catch up, sometimes getting so frustrated they drop out.  Many families have no idea what skills their child should have before kindergarten. Through Columbus Kids, I help give preschoolers Learning Checkups that show parents what their child needs to be ready to learn from the first day of school. I enjoy knowing that these children will have a better start in school.

That’s how I LIVE UNITED.

 

AFTER

I’m Magdalena from Columbus, and this is my son Luis.

I found the Columbus Kids program through my local library. Luis was 3 years old when he had his first Learning Checkup. A staff member also came to our house to follow up with us. She gave me very good information about Luis and told me what he needed to learn before he starts school.

Thanks to Columbus Kids, Luis is attending a Head Start program near our home. He is having fun there and is learning a lot of new skills. Now I know that he will start kindergarten ready to learn.