| We did it! 1,542 Books for Low-Income Children |
 These are two of the dozens of children who received 726 free, age-appropriate books thanks to Women's Initiative members. In late 2007, the Women's Initiative raised nearly $2,000 to purchase 1,542 books for two local elementary schools with high populations of low-income children. Women's Initiative members then delivered the books and read to children at Southwick and Fairfield elementary schools in early February. More books will be distributed at future events. To see photos of members reading to children, visit the website. |
| Celebrate Reading: Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss |
 The Women's Initiative celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday with a cat and an ant! Events Chair Kathy Eikenberry (left) helped plan a reception March 2, 2008 at a Mad Ants game, with proceeds from ticket sales benefitting local reading programs. The following Saturday, March 9, United Way joined Fort Wayne Community Schools teachers and Barnes & Noble to promote reading. More than $670 was raised to purchase books for low-income children.
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| Meet Co-Chair Kris Foate |
 Kris Foate, co-chair of the Women's Initiative, brings many talents to the group. Click here to learn more about Kris and her hopes for the Women's Initiative.
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| Women's Initiative to Take Part in Tapestry: A Day for Women |
 United Way's Women's Initiative is excited to take part in Tapestry 2008, an event for women that combines a trade show, boutique, prizes and educational break-out sessions. Come visit Tapestry and the Women's Initiative booth on April 25, 2008. Learn more at http://www.ipfw.edu/tapestry/default.htm. |
| Invite Others to Join Us! |
 Do you know anyone who might be interested in learning more about the Women's Initiative? Could you invite several of your co-workers or friends to a short presentation about the Women's Initiative? Please contact Robin Holley at robinh@uwacin.org if you have ideas for helping us spread the word about the Women's Initiative. United Way of Allen County now has more than 70 Women's Initiative members; the first 100 members will be listed as Founding Members on promotional materials. All others will be listed as Sustaining Members.
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The Women's Initiative is making great progress -- in adding members and in developing plans to help all children learn to read by the third grade. Please take a look at our e-newsletter and learn what we are accomplishing. If you know anyone who might be interested in joining, please e-mail us. We would be excited to share our vision for promoting literacy for all children.
United Way of Allen County has pulled together a variety of stakeholders from local schools and health and human service agencies to develop a concrete plan for closing the reading achievement gap. The gap is the academic disparity among socio-economic groups. Women's Initiative members, United Way's Diversity Cabinet, United Way volunteers and staff are part of the team developing a specific road map to close the reading achievement gap for low-income children in Allen County. A proposal is expected to go before United Way's board of directors in May; once a plan is approved, implementation can begin.