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Executive Director's Corner
Danelle Glasscock
Home grown tomatoes. Fresh cut grass. Sand. Barefeet. Fireworks. Watermelon. Peaches. Beach. Mountains. Lake. Fishing. Celebrations. Family. All these words invoke in my mind that "Summertime Feeling" One thing I love about summer is the chance to step back from life for a moment and then step back in. Whether it's a few hours on the porch on a Sunday afternoon or a few days at the beach with your family members, taking a few minutes to think, to read something new, to have a new experience, or to talk to old friends are all chances to gain a new perspective.
New perspectives can inspire. They paint a picture of a positive future. They can put the past in perspective. They can even help you more fully live in the "here and now."
I've found another way recently to gain a new perspective. It's to talk to someone that you normally wouldn't talk to and learn a little bit more about them. Whether it's the young adult working the cash register at Home Depot, or a person in the grocery store aisle, or someone in a different age group from you at church, I'd encourage you to strike up a conversation with them. Take time to listen to their story. See the world through their eyes. Gain a new perspective.
I read a book over the Fourth of July holiday entitled "Influence" that was talking about with all the data and information that people receive today, that sometimes we forget that it's an individual person, a story, a person someone loves, who is impacted.
As we at United Way are in the business of improving lives by mobilizing great numbers of people to give, advocate and volunteer. Our theme this year, "A Better Life for All. A Better Life for You." will focus on individual lives that were improved, an individual whose story was changed by the help of their neighbors.
So as you are hopefully enjoying extra time relaxing this summer, take time to gain a new perspective. Read. Talk to someone new. Take time to hear other stories. That's how we LIVE UNITED. Thank you for being part of this great community in all seasons. Happy Summer!
Live United,
Danelle Glasscock
Executive Director
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United WE READ
Literacy Kits
The United WE READ Parent/Caregiver team is currently working on Literacy Kits for the 2014-2015 school year. Last year 340 literacy kits were distributed to second graders at the four pilot schools.
The 2014-2015 literacy kits will be distributed to all 2nd grade children at Jackson, Johnson, Ketron, and Sullivan Elementary Schools. The initial kit will include: The Caterpillar and the Butterfly by Deborah Heiligman, life cycle activity sheets, draftbook, sight word cards, Read20 calendar, pencil, pencil sharpener, and highlighter. At the beginning of each nine weeks an additional book, manipulatives, Read20 calendar, and sight word cards will be added to the literacy kit.
The kits were designed with the assistance of the teachers and literacy specialist. The ultimate goal of the literacy kit program is to engage parents/caregivers to read 20 minutes a day with their child.
 | | THANK YOU United WE READ Volunteer Readers! |
We invite you to be part of this important initiative! You can click here to sign up!
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Join United WE READ in building a literacy-rich community by reading 20 minutes a day with a child. Reading is the basic tool for success in school, work, and life. By reading 20 minutes a day, a child develops a larger vocabulary, a longer attention span, and better listening skills. Read20 also encourages family bonding because if a family reads together for 20 minutes a day, 7 days a week, they will get more than 121 hours of bonding time every year!
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UPCOMING EVENTS
- Regional Kickoff hosted by United Way of Bristol TN/VA. Wednesday, August 13th 11:30am-1pm at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites 3005 Linden Dr. Bristol VA. Guest speaker: Dr. Joe Johnson, President Emeritus, University of Tennessee. RSVP to Brenda Overbey to register.
- Save the Date: Local Kickoff Tuesday, September 9th, 7:45am at the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce.
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Agency Spotlight:
Small Miracles Therapeutic Equestrian Center
by Johanna Morales
Small Miracles was founded through love to enhance the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive growth of individuals with special needs through equine-assisted activities and therapies. Currently UWGK funds three of the Small Miracles programs: Equine-Assisted Activities & Therapies (for students with special needs), Equine-Assisted Positive Youth Development (for at risk children & youth) and Equine-Services for Heroes (serving our nation's military).
Small Miracles Equine-Assisted Activities & Therapies program enhances the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive growth of individuals with special needs through both mounted and unmounted equine-assisted activities.
ThePositive Youth Development program enhances the lives of children and youth at-risk by developing positive character and life skills through a strength-based program utilizing unmounted, experiential equine-assisted activities.
Small Miracles newest program, Equine-Services for Heroes, mission is to empower the lives of military veterans by developing effective and productive character, life, and work skills through a strength-based program utilizing unmounted, experiential, equine-assisted activities. The clients served at Small Miracles come to a safe place where they aren't told that they can't do something, but instead are encouraged to try new activities.
Small Miracles is located at 1026 Rock Springs Drive Kingsport, TN 37664. Sherri Russell, Executive Director encourages everyone to come tour the facility and meet their 14 horses. You can reach Sherri at 423-349-1111 or by visiting their website.
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