United Way Provides Parent Workshops at Jan 28 SOAR Education Fair
Parents can learn about how to help their children stay away from drugs, live healthier lives, support reading, valuable information about the new STAAR standardized test and how to help their children be ready for college at the SOAR Education Fair next Saturday, thanks to a partnership with United Way of Hays County.
The local United Way is hosting 30-minute educational sessions during the fair, with accompanying children’s activities.
UWHC partner agencies and other partner organizations are supplying experts for the free workshops. “One of the United Way’s impact areas is Education, so it’s very fitting that we collaborate with SOAR to add an educational component to the event,” said Kim Porterfield, UWHC board chairperson.
“Parents are a child’s first teacher, and need concrete, easy tools to help their children succeed. An investment into educating parents is an investment in the future of our community,” said Michelle Harper, UWHC executive director.
The workshop sessions include: 10:30 to 11 a.m., Hays Caldwell Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, “Drugs, Statistics and Media Influences;” 11:15 to 11:45 a.m., “Resolute Health – Staying Healthy and Preventing Type 2 Diabetes;” noon to 12:30 p.m., “Head Start – How to Grow a Reader;” 12:45-1:15 p.m., “Clem Cantu, Goodnight Middle School – What Parents Need to Know about the STAAR test;” and 1:30-2:00 p.m., “Texas State Community Relations – Everything You Need to Know About Getting into College.”
Also featured in the United Way section of the Education Fair is a Celebrity Readers Corner. Local leaders and celebrities, including, Mayor Daniel Guerrero, Texas State University Head Football Coach Dennis Franchione, Captain Live United, City Council Member Kim Porterfield, and San Marcos Police Chief Howard Williams are among the readers.
The Education Fair helps families become more involved in their children's education and connects them to social service agencies. Scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 28 at the San Marcos Conference Center, the event will feature booths with information on early childhood development; elementary, middle, and high schools in the area; college admission information and adult and continuing education opportunities.
Attendees of the fair that visit a minimum of six booths, including one education session, can enter a drawing to win great door prizes including gift cards, bicycles, and brand new laptop computers.
Donations are currently being solicited from area businesses for the door prize giveaways. For information on how your business can support the message that “Education Pays” by providing door prizes or volunteer support for the event, please contact the Chamber SOAR Liaison, Margaret Lindsey at (512) 393-5910.
SOAR is a collaboration of the San Marcos Educational Partners including Texas State University, San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District, the San Marcos Education Foundation, the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Hays County, Austin Community College, Gary Job Corp, the City of San Marcos, and the San Marcos Baptist Academy.
“We are proud to be part of this important event,” Porterfield said, adding that the mission of the United Way of Hays County is to advance the common good by investing in and developing programs that address Hays County’s critical needs in education, income/financial stability and health, with the help of community partners.
“These are the building blocks of a good life: a quality education, enough income to support a family through retirement, and good health,” she said. “By bringing together people and resources to address these issues, and by attacking their underlying causes, we hope to make lasting, fundamental change---for everyone.”
The current 15 programs receiving funding from United Way Hays County in 2011 include Boy Scouts of America -- Capitol Area Council, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Burke Foundation, Camp Fire USA -- Balcones Council, Combined Community Action -- Meals on Wheels , CASA, Early Childhood Intervention -- Hays County Homespun , Greater San Marcos Youth Council , Hays-Caldwell Women's Center , Hays Caldwell Council on Alcohol & Drug Abuse, Hays County Food Bank , Retired & Senior Volunteer Program , San Marcos Housing Authority Resident Services , San Marcos Youth Service Bureau , Southside Community Center.
