"Building relationships to support our community with

collaboration, compassion and purpose."

Every year, the Catawba County United Way (CCUW) partners with local nonprofits who are champions of improving the lives of youth and teens.

In a new weekly series, the CCUW will introduce the 2024 funded programs working in this impact area, highlighting how education is more than just grades and attendance.

This week – Catawba County Partnership for Children – Parents as Teachers program. 

By John Bailey

Catawba County United Way



“Our goals are to reduce neglect, improve school readiness and increase confidence with parents to have a relationship with their child's schoolteachers and administration,” PAT Team Leader Cindy Boger said.

Parents As Teachers is an evidence-based and literacy-based program that provides bi-monthly home visits to parents, grandparents, foster parents, or other caregivers of young children ages prenatal to 5 years, using a curriculum tailored to the specific age and needs of the enrolled child/children, according to a recent report by the agency to the CCUW.

"These families are getting that early intervention, so those kids are more successful and hopefully be contributing to society in a positive way," Boger said.

The PAT Educators provide information to parents about child development, safety in the home, and the importance of talking with, reading to, and actively playing with young children.

Something that makes the program unique is its focus on meeting parents where they are emotionally and literally with the home visits.

A typical visit starts with a parent/child activity which usually revolves around reading.

Leonor Tobar, PAT Latino Specialist, said she always wants parents to be more involved with their child’s reading habits.

"It's so fun when I visit a home and the kids say I got a book, do you want to read it to me. I pass it to the parent and sometimes it's in English and they aren’t sure they can,” Tobar said.

“I tell them to just tell the story in the book as they see it. I think the self-esteem of the parent grows when they see their child having fun with them. That's how you make memories.” 

The Blueridge Piedmont Chapter of the American Red Cross recently recognized the value of its partnership with the Catawba County United Way (CCUW) during the outreach to the families affected by the January tornado in Claremont.

The CCUW staff was thanked during the Blueridge Piedmont's volunteer luncheon at the Salt Block on April 9.

In February, the CCUW became the lead agency helping to coordinate aid to those families in the Fox Hollow neighborhood hit by the storm. This was a transition from the emergency relief provided by the American Red Cross.

Thank You to everyone who has been part of this community effort to help these families.



In the photo: Allie Taylor NC American Red Cross Regional Executive, Kelle Love CCUW Dir. of Operations, Scott Loudermelt Blueridge Piedmont Chapter ARC Exe. Director, Mark Bumgarner CCUW Exe. Director, Sylvia Long CCUW Dir. of Resource Development, Shanna Clark CCUW Dir. of Finance.

Recognize our local heroes who help those in need every day.

We've all heard the phrase - "It takes a village," and in the non-profit world it's true. The Catawba County United Way enjoys building relationships with its community partners and sees how much greater our impact is because of our collective efforts every day.

Below are some upcoming programs and events from just a few of those partners...please share, and if you're interested, the Catawba County Interagency Council meets the second Thursday every month at the United Way office - 2760 Tate Blvd SE in Hickory.

Call 828-327-6851 for more information or email jbailey@ccunitedway.com.

NC 211 is the United Way of North Carolina's health and human services information line.

For help - Call NC 211 by dialing 2-1-1 or (888) 892 1162 or visit THIS LINK.

Open 24/7, 365 days a year.

Catawba County United Way is one of several community partners who help fund this program every year.