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United Way Success Stories
Thanks to your generous gift to the United Way of
Wyoming Valley, we are proud to present to you, "Success Stories" from agencies
and people your gift has helped locally. The stories you are about to read represent
the wonderful work that our participating organizations do year-round.
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Luzerne County Head Start
Michael was very shy and withdrawn when he
first began attending Head Start’s Jump Start program for children under the age of
5. He was diagnosed with late language development and developmental delay. Other services
tried to help Michael break through his shell, however, these attempts were unsuccessful
and Michael was referred to the Jump Start program.
Jump Start’s individualized approach to
childhood development has allowed Michael to come out of his shell. His parents have
reported that before Michael joined the Jump Start program, he would not talk outside
their home and would not respond to other people. He depended on his parents to do many
tasks for him. Since he has attended the Jump Start program, Michael has gradually learned
to do things by himself and, as he reports, he is a "big boy".
According to Lynn Evans Biga, Executive Director of Head Start,
"Thanks to United Way funding, we have shown that Jump Start is a valuable and
successful program. The community’s investment through the United Way in young
children with special needs is reaping great rewards." |
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 Family Enhancement Center
When Cali was born, she weighed only 4 pounds and 10 ounces. In the next few weeks her
weight dropped and her health decreased. The Family Enhancement Center sent a Family
Visitor to visit the family every week to advise Cali’s mother as to what steps she
should take in order to improve her daughter’s health.
Infancy progressed smoothly for Cali, because the Family Visitor was there to help. At
14 months though, she was showing no signs of walking. It was at this time, that Cali was
diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder, which left her with delays in speech and gross
motor and social functioning. With the help of their Family Visitor, Cali began to receive
therapy in these areas immediately.
Thanks to the Family Enhancement Center and the programs offered, children such as
Cali, have the chance to lead normal, healthy lives because of early diagnosis and
intervention. Now 5 years old, Cali is looking forward to entering kindergarten this year
and "making new friends." |
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 Domestic Violence Service Center
My ex-husband used to hit me. Several years
ago my two young children and I entered the Domestic Violence Service Center in the
Wyoming Valley. My goal was to be self-sufficient and free from the pain and the abuse I
suffered. The staff at the center planted the seeds of self-respect in me. I left the
center able to believe that I could survive on my own, free from harm. I am now a
homeowner, a schoolteacher, a mom and a wife.
The United Way and the Domestic Violence
Service Center were my stepping stone to a rich and rewarding life. I could not have come
out of my darkness without their support. The service they provide is so vital to women
and men who live in darkness. It takes a while to examine yourself and turn on a little
light. I do not know what would have happened to me had I not been a resident at the
shelter. The shelter believed in me when I did not believe in myself.
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United Way of Wyoming Valley