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In a strong showing of collaboration, the Longwood Rotary Club (Kennett Square) joined by the Greater West Chester Rotary Club and Rotary District #7450 came together to raise $8800.00 for the Maternal & Child Health Consortium (MCHC) of West Chester & Kennett Square.
These funds will be used to cover annual expenses for Parenting Classes (Parents As Child’s First Teacher) for Pre-Kindergarten children. These classes are just one step in the larger Kindergarten Readiness Program to help close the gap for families and children as they enter the public school system. This evidence based curriculum helps parents see their children learn, grow, and develop to realize their fullest potential, while providing support in the process of growing and developing. The program empowers parents, builds relationships with their children, and focuses on language, motor skills, socio-emotional development and cognitive development. The program also teaches parents how to navigate the school system and know what to expect when their children start Kindergarten.
“In addition to the funding, members of the Longwood Rotary Club provide meals and day care services during these classes” said Bob Curran President of the Longwood Rotary Club. “Pre-Kindergarten education is the Club’s number one initiative for the next several years”.
“The Maternal & Child Health Consortium of Chester County is a frontline organization that Rotarians typically support”, says Roger Taylor District Governor 2021-2022 Rotary #7450, “in addition to these education initiatives, in Chester County one in eight individuals go to bed hungry and one in ten have no insurance. Too many look overseas and do not see the issue in our own neighborhoods. Many thanks to the Longwood and West Chester Rotary Clubs with the help of the Rotary Foundation for recognizing the need here in our communities and taking action”.