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| Quarterly Update |
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| Contents: |
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| New Americans Research |
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Eagleton Institute received funding from UWCJ to conduct a Survey of New Americans in Middlesex County. The Board appointed members to examine the survey results and arrive at specific recommendations for action. Some top-line findings: |
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Middlesex County Percent Foreign BornRelative to New Jersey and the Nation |
United States 12%
New Jersey 20%
Middlesex County 28%
Source: Rutgers, Eagleton Institute of Politics |
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| Traditional Families |
| Newcomers are more likely than natives to live in married, two-parent households: 67% of adult immigrants are married, compared with 45% of native born. |
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| Education |
The burden is on schools to bridge the educational and cultural gaps that the 1st and 2nd generation newcomers face. Because immigrant students account for a disproportionate share of high school dropouts, there is an important role for Bilingual Parent Advisory Councils. These are mandated by state law in school districts with significant concentrations of students with limited English language proficiency. Yet these committees are lacking in some schools - perhaps due to budget cuts.
The Study points out the critical need for early childhood education. If you would like more information about how to help support early childhood education initiatives targeting at-risk populations, please contact Gloria Aftanski ay 732 247-3727. |
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| Flood Response |
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Hurricane Irene and the floods that followed caused power outages throughout Central Jersey. In the UWCJ offices, where power was not restored for a week following the storm, water in the basement offices was 2 feet deep. Most of the school supplies donated had been raised to upper floors or table tops, but files, and boxes of brochures stored on low shelves were lost. All the walls and wiring had to be renewed.
While the power was out, and phones and computers were unusable, UWCJ staff gathered at the office to salvage what they could of the damaged supplies. For example, five loads of wet tee shirts were washed and dried for distribution later to volunteers. There was also a staff assembly line created to stuff 300 back packs with the school supplies promised to the Carteret school district. Each first grader got the supplies they needed.
Families who suffered losses due to the flooding have received help from United Way supported programs – 2-1-1 the statewide information and referral system established by United Way foremost among them. Other flood-related services included emergency food supplies, volunteers to help with cleaning and painting, and case management for qualifying families who needed access to a range of services as a result of flooding. |
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UWCJ Begins Pilot to Improve Early Grade Reading in Carteret |
The recent declines in 3rd grade language arts scores, (-40% over last 4 years among NJ’s low-income students) increases the critical need for focused efforts to correct this trend. Reading proficiently by the end of 3rd grade is a crucial marker in a child’s educational development. Failure to read proficiently is linked to higher rates of school dropout, which suppresses individual earning potential as well as the nation’s competitiveness and general productivity.
The United Way of Central Jersey is addressing this problem through a pilot project to ensure that all children in one district are reading at grade level by Grade 3.
In partnership with the Carteret School district, United Way is beginning a new after-school program designed to identify first grade students in the Columbus School who are having difficulties learning to read. This innovative curriculum combines intensive tutoring with creative arts to reinforce what the children are learning. Years of education research on teaching reading in the first grade confirms that a mix of phonics drills, games, being read to, choral reading coupled with dramatizations and creative art expression is one of the most effective approach. Although the program is targeted to children who have reading difficulties, it is open to any first grade student who wishes to attend.
Beginning in mid-October, the program will operate four days a week, Monday through Thursday, and will incorporate one day a week where parents or family members can visit to read with the children. The students will be tested throughout the year to assess their progress and to make any adjustments needed to ensure that they are learning to read. An outside evaluator will assess the entire program at the end of the academic year. Additional supports will be added as identified, such as adult literacy training for parents who themselves have difficulties in reading. The program can currently host a maximum of 60 children in groups of 15 to 20.
Once the pilot phase is completed, the program will expand to serve students through 3rd grade and will eventually be implemented in all three Carteret grammar schools. United Way’s ultimate goal is to be able to offer this program to any district where early grade reading is a challenge for their children.
United Way is seeking people with passion, expertise and resources to help make a significant difference in early grade reading. The challenge is real, but we can pave the way to high school success by focusing on helping children and schools build the capacity for effective, engaging learning. If you would like to play a role in this exciting effort, please call Gloria Aftanski 732 247-3727. |
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Community Investment Cycle Starts |
UWCJ’s Technical Assistance Training, held on September 14 at the Fire Academy in Sayreville, brought together non-profit program administrators with an interest in receiving support from United Way. Nearly 70 individuals representing 38 non profit organizations attended.
The training is designed to assist programs to meet qualifications for submitting grant requests and provides an opportunity to clarify requirements. One of the key factors used by United Way volunteers in their assessment of grant requests is the measurement data that tracks the effectiveness of programs – specific measures of goals achieved. The first step is the letter of Intent.
The Letter of Intent is the initial mechanism through which United Way seeks to identify those programs that offer the most promise for helping to achieve the goals, outcomes and strategies of UWCJ’s community investment initiatives. Following review of the Letter of Intent, selected organizations are invited to submit full proposals for program funding related to United Way ’s three priority impact areas, Children Ready to Succeed, Kids on Track and Families Living Well.
Thank you to the volunteers, Ana Monroy and Justin Footerman for their help to make the event a success and to the members of the Community Needs Committee for their dedication and service. |
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| Call for Investment Allocation Volunteers |
Volunteers are needed to help review program proposals and meet with non-profit agency officials in order to assist United Way in making investment allocations. Volunteers participate in eight to ten proposal review meetings of approximately two hours in length over a three month period beginning in January 2012. Meetings take place at the United Way building in Milltown in the early morning or late afternoon depending on volunteer availability and preference.
Groups of volunteers form committees chaired by an experienced volunteer who will guide the group through the process. United Way staff will be available for assistance as well as attend all meetings. A volunteer orientation and training session will be scheduled prior to reviewing proposals. Volunteers will also be asked to conduct site visits to organizations that are requesting funding, if their schedule permits, to gain a fuller understanding of
the program, the community and observe the program in action.
If you are interested in this unique opportunity to make an important difference in our communities, you can apply online at the United Way website at www.uwcj.org or you may contact June M. Launay at the United Way by phone, 732-247-3727, ext. 37 or by email, jlaunay@uwcj.org. |
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| IBM Volunteers |
IBM celebrates its centennial in 2011. In honor of this occasion, IBM has called on its employees to volunteer and to share their expertise with the community. Through United Way of Central Jersey’s Volunteer Center, these volunteers are connected with local non-profits in need of technical assistance. They are working on technical issues including: IT, marketing and public relations, fundraising, social networking, developing business plans, conducting technology audits and strategic planning.
If you have an area of expertise that you would like to share with a local non-profit or you know of a non-profit that could benefit from a similar partnership, please contact Sabrina Norrie at UWCJ - 732 247-3727. |
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| Community Resource Fair
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| The Differential Response Program at United Way of Central Jersey is co-hosting its second annual Department of Children & Families Community Resource Fair in Middlesex County. This event will be held on Saturday, October 22 from 10 am to 2 pm at the First Reformed Church in New Brunswick (corner of Bayard & Neilson). This family-friendly fair brings together over 80 + social service vendors to share information about their programs with community members. Additionally, there will be live music, anti-bullying programs, free smoke detectors, arts & crafts, face painting, refreshments and more. This is an indoor/outdoor event. Rain date is scheduled for Wednesday, October 26 from 3 – 7 pm. |
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| OVER 1,000 STUDENTS RECEIVED SCHOOL SUPPLIES
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Thirty-eight donors and eleven volunteers helped to provide school supplies to 1,337 students at fourteen schools in Central Jersey including 300 backpacks delivered to first graders in Carteret schools. Thanks to all those who helped provide these supplies to low-income children, so they can start the year off right.
UWCJ held two school supplies fund raisers that included face painting and crafts, hot dogs provided by Applebees and drinks supplied by Snapple. WMGQ filled the air with dancing music at both events, and donors stuffed a yellow school bus provided by First Student Bus Company. |
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| Schools Receiving School Supplies |
| SCHOOL NAME |
TOWN |
Number of Children Helped |
Arthur M. Judd School |
Blood of Jesus Christ Church |
Broken Loaves |
Catholic Charities – YES Program |
Columbus School |
Coordinated Family Care |
Flynn School |
Healthy Families |
JFVS – Women’s Center |
McKinley School |
Nathan Hale School |
Parsons School |
Private Nicholas Minue |
Samuel E. Schull |
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North Brunswick |
New Brunswick |
Old Bridge |
New Brunswick |
Carteret |
North Brunswick |
Perth Amboy |
Perth Amboy |
Milltown |
New Brunswick |
Carteret |
New Brunswick |
Carteret |
Perth Amboy |
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75 |
125 |
100 |
5 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
32 |
12 |
113 |
100 |
75 |
100 |
300 |
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TOTAL |
1,337 |
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| Contributors |
| Thanks to the generosity of these supporters, low-income children are going to school with the materials they need: ADP, Applebees, AT&T Pioneers, Agnes Barenti, Central Jersey Church of Christ, CEVA Logistics, Colgate Palmolive, Cordis Corporation, Down to the Felt, Dr. Pepper Snapple, DuPont, Dusal’s Restaurant, Eaton Corporation, Ernst & Young LLP, First Student Bus Company, IBM, Gannett Fleming, J&J Healthcare Systems, JOM Pharmaceuticals, K-Sea Transportation, Legends Caterers, Magyar Bank, Middlesex County AFL/CIO Labor Council, MOMS Club of Edison, MOMS Club of South Plainfield/Piscatway, Multi-Plastics Extrusions, New Millennium Bank, North American Energy Alliance, Paychex, PBL Interferon Source, Revlon, SHI International Corporation, Snapple Distributors, Stonebridge Women’s Club, Target, WalMart, Weston Solutions, WMGQ. A special thanks to Ernst & Young LLP who provided 500 backpacks stuffed with supplies. |
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| Volunteers |
Without these volunteers, UWCJ could not have helped over 1,000 children in Central Jersey: Aisha Davies, Bruce Gandarillas, Muriel Grimmett, Sweta Mahajan, Nigma Patel, Swaroop Ramadive, Gladys Rodriguez, Tahrima Tasmin, Blanca Vega, Maurice Williams, Egypt Wilson.
With a special grant from B4Kids, an organization advocating for high quality education in New Jersey, United Way of Central Jersey provided additional monetary support allowing for the distribution of 3,000 backpacks stuffed with school supplies for children in Perth Amboy.
Thank you for making the Stuff the Bus School Supplies Drive the best yet! |
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| Are You a
Loyal Donor?
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As we kick off this year’s United Way Campaigns across Central Jersey, please accept this symbol of heart-felt gratitude and appreciation for your long-term giving to your community and to better lives throughout our communities.
Because you know that United Way is focused on improving the lives of at-risk children and families, we thought that an example of how children fill the world with light and joy would be appropriate.
Please
click here
to see Art made by children at South County Day Care – one of our partner agencies.
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| Call to Action: Make a Difference in Education
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One June 21, 2011, United Way set out a challenge to help cut high school dropout numbers by recruiting one million new volunteer readers, tutors and mentors. Anyone with passion and commitment can help a young person achieve greater academic success. Volunteers can make a difference.
Be One in A Million and sign up to make a difference in your schools – and help change your community. |
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| Volunteers in Action
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At eight o’clock, there were readers in the JJ HCS cafeteria. But these were not just any readers, these were volunteers training to stimulate brain development for low income pre-school kids in New Brunswick. “I read to my kids when they were growing up, but I never did anything like this!” said one volunteer.
United Way’s early child development initiatives include home visitation by trained social workers who model behaviors for mothers that are designed to stimulate brain development. They use books that have been specially chosen to provide small children with an opportunity to interact verbally with their caregiver.
After the training, the volunteers visited a Head Start school to work with children. Here’s on comment: “This was such a rewarding experience, thank you so much for coordinating! I certainly learned a lot, especially the importance of involvement in a child’s life, and the direct impact it has on him/her in the future. I am confident that by working with this wonderful group of children, we were able to help build their knowledge and self-confidence. Thank You!” |
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Copyright © 2004 United Way of Central Jersey. All rights reserved. |
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