Drake Head Start and Target partner to increase literacy in families' homes
Date: December 01, 2008
Drake University Head Start recently received a $1,000 literacy grant from Target for the Ankeny Head Start Center in Ankeny, Iowa. The grant will help provide children and families at the center with books, magazines and other materials that will enhance literacy activities in their homes.
"One quarter of Head Start's annual budget must come from individual donations and grants," said Georgia Sheriff, director of Drake Head Start. "We are extremely grateful to Target for its generous financial support of our efforts."
This grant is part of Target's efforts to strengthen families and communities throughout the country. Since opening its doors, Target has given 5 percent of its income to organizations that support education, the arts, social services and volunteerism. Today that translates to more than $3 million every week.
"At Target, our local grants are making a difference in the communities we serve," said Laysha Ward, vice president of community relations at Target. "We're proud to partner with Drake Head Start as part of our ongoing commitment to give back to the communities where our guests and team members live and work."
In addition, Target contributes to programs that are designed to inspire learning in children and families including:
Both programs provide a range of individualized services in the areas of education, medical, dental and mental health, nutrition and social service to children and their families. Parent involvement is encouraged and support is offered for children with disabilities. Ten percent of the programs' total enrollment opportunities are made available to children with disabilities.
"One quarter of Head Start's annual budget must come from individual donations and grants," said Georgia Sheriff, director of Drake Head Start. "We are extremely grateful to Target for its generous financial support of our efforts."
This grant is part of Target's efforts to strengthen families and communities throughout the country. Since opening its doors, Target has given 5 percent of its income to organizations that support education, the arts, social services and volunteerism. Today that translates to more than $3 million every week.
"At Target, our local grants are making a difference in the communities we serve," said Laysha Ward, vice president of community relations at Target. "We're proud to partner with Drake Head Start as part of our ongoing commitment to give back to the communities where our guests and team members live and work."
In addition, Target contributes to programs that are designed to inspire learning in children and families including:
Take Charge of Education, a school fundraising program;
Target Field Trip Grants, a grant program that helps educators bring learning to life for students;
Ready.Sit.Read!, a program dedicated to fostering a lifelong love of reading in children at an early age;
Target House, a place that serves as a home for families of children receiving life-saving treatment at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis;
Target Volunteers, a program in which Target team members and retirees annually donate more than 350,000 hours of time to more than 7,500 community-based projects
Drake University Head Start and Early Head Start are comprehensive child development programs which serve children from birth to age five and their families. The programs are child-focused and have the overall goal of increasing the school readiness of young children in low-income families.
Both programs provide a range of individualized services in the areas of education, medical, dental and mental health, nutrition and social service to children and their families. Parent involvement is encouraged and support is offered for children with disabilities. Ten percent of the programs' total enrollment opportunities are made available to children with disabilities.
Contact Information:
Lisa Lacher, lisa.lacher@drake.edu
