Every child deserves their own books

I still have a few of the best: Eloise, Goodnight Moon, Angelina Ballerina, Where the Wild Things Are. Some others I’ve misplaced, or were handed down to neighbor kids, or sold at garage sales. But I remember them clearly. I remember where my bookshelf sat in my room, and how it was so full that I ripped many covers off of the books taking them on and off the shelves. I loved my childhood books.

And the idea that some kids go without owning their own books makes me so sad; they are missing out on so much! And books are not only good for nostalgia and entertainment… reading books helps kids be prepared to learn once they enter kindergarten. In Elgin, 1 out of 3 children entering kindergarten aren’t prepared. And children who enter school well-prepared and ready to learn have a greater chance of succeeding.

So when Diane O’Connor at United Way of Elgin explained that the project she’s worked on for over a year is launching in February, I was ecstatic. United Way of Elgin is going to have Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Every child 0-5 in Elgin, South Elgin, LaFox, Hampshire or Burlington is eligible to sign up. The program will send them 1 age appropriate book every month from birth through 5 years old. Every child will have their own book library…how exciting.

And because of sponsors (Provena St. Joseph Hospital and Elgin Township), the program is completely free. It kicks off at the Gail Borden Public Library on February 22 from 1:30 to 4:30. The event includes storytellers, music, clowns and refreshments, and families will have the first chance to sign up.

Tell anyone you know with children who live in the area! For more info, click here.

How I Live United: Norm’s Story

My name is Norm Turner. For the past 10 years I have worked as a volunteer with a child advocacy agency, a homeless shelter, an agency involved with disabled and mentally challenged children and adults, and a child care center.

In all of these roles my goal is to help better the lives of children, in whatever capacity they might need it. I teach and counsel kids on subjects like bullying and family meetings, and also how to be a better son or daughter with for their parents. I also represent children who have been abused to make sure their best interests are being served. And I act as a foster grandparent of preschool children.

Many of the young parents I’ve encountered in my work as a child advocate don’t know how to be good parents. In recent times, the volume of young parents turning to the court system for relief has increased over 400%. I am currently working on a project that would improve parental skills and reduce child abuse; it also will reduce the volume of probate cases that come into our court systems.

I love to see the aftereffects of my work with kids: When kids I advocated for had their mother call me months after their case closed and asked me to attend their school’s “Best Friends Day.” When parents report behavioral improvements from their children after counseling classes. These are my rewards and motivation to keep on volunteering.

Advocating daily for our community’s children—that’s how I Live United.

United Way of Elgin Gets Parents Involved at Highland and Lord’s Park

In 2007, the United Way teamed up with Highland Elementary School and the Greater Elgin YMCA to pilot a Parental Engagement Initiative. This project is under our Kids Matter Impact programs. Studies have shown that children need multiple opportunities to learn and grow — not only in school, but at home and in the community as well. Quite often, however, parents don’t know how they can help.