United Way launches new youth initiatives in Bristol and Plymouth

This article is the second of a six-part series written about the United Way of West Central Connecticut, serving the communities of Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, and Plymouth, demonstrating its impact on “what matters.”

Youth Matters
By: Jeanette Galván

When the United Way of West Central Connecticut transformed to its new business model, it maintained what it had done previously, and created another way to help more people as well as improve the community. United Way volunteers identified three areas in which to focus: youth, seniors and basic needs. The second article of this series will focus on youth initiatives and show how they have helped shape this community.

Two youth initiatives were launched as part of this new model change: Discovery and Kids in the Middle.

The Discovery Initiative addresses issues concerning children from birth to eight years old. It has three main objectives which include improving students’ performances socially, emotionally and academically; increasing the quality and quantity of early childhood education; and building bridges between early childhood programs and kindergarten. By focusing on issues early in a child’s life, he or she will be better prepared for the future.

Scott Gaudet, principal of Greene-Hills Elementary School and Chair of the Bristol Discovery Initiative, believes that focusing on this age group was in the community’s best interest. “As a principal and parent, I feel it is a good idea because kids would start kindergarten better prepared,” said Gaudet.

One program created at Greene-Hills Elementary School is Great Beginnings, which helps make the transition from preschool to kindergarten smoother. In an attempt to get parents more involved and children more comfortable in their new school, this program works to expand opportunities over a period of several months to ensure that children begin school ready to learn. Great Beginnings gives children the opportunity to become well acclimated with their new school before their first day.

Plymouth is also involved in the Discovery Initiative. The Plymouth Early Childhood Council hosts eight workshops a year for parents with young children. On a yearly basis, the sub-committees of the Early Childhood Council poll the community to find out what they would like more information on, such as first aid, divorce or sibling rivalry. Based on those answers, they create workshops.

Plymouth has had great success with this initiative. “At a recent council meeting, a kindergarten teacher said she saw a jump in her test scores. The students were already at the level in January that they should be at the end of the school year and some were higher,” said Sue Vivian, coordinator of the Family Resources at Plymouth Center School.

Another youth initiative is “Kids in the Middle” (KIM). KIM focuses on middle school age children and their transition from childhood to young adulthood. This initiative not only connects youth to each other but also to their community. “We want to get different kids involved; get kids who aren’t normally involved in sports, music, or the arts,” said Tony Malavenda, Director of Human Resources for the Bristol Board of Education.

Plymouth has also had success with this initiative. Students at Harry S. Fisher Middle School work on team building at their weekly meetings. They are also actively involved in service learning projects. They had a pizza party, played bingo with seniors and made flower vases for them.

“More kids are connected with the community than they were previously as a result of KIM,” stated Lisa Aiudi, School to Career Coordinator for the Plymouth Board of Education.

With both initiatives having great success so far, Bristol and Plymouth are well on their way to helping more children within their communities – because that’s “what matters.”

Jeanette Galván, intern at United Way, is a senior at Hofstra University studying journalism and Spanish.