May 29,2009

Dear ###USER_firstname###,

It looks like a little alliteration took over the article titles this month! Here at The Partnership we are working hard to close out the end of our fiscal year. Several of us are also working like crazy to get a grant out the door before June 8th - it is for a mentoring program for foster youth who are aging out of foster care. Please cross your fingers for us that we get it all wrapped up in time. We won't know until October if we get funded but I will keep you posted. 

GROWING GARDENERS

Volunteer Award from Head Start

Fit Phelps just received a very nice recognition from Head Start. A Volunteer Award was presented for our support of their beautiful community garden. Ester Stevenson is really the wizard behind this beautiful garden - we just supplied the materials. The kids love planting and caring for the garden and often for the first time look forward to eating vegetables! 

The focus of FIT PHELPS is to help prevent childhood obesity by providing researched-based nutrition and physical fitness information, supports, and programs to Phelps County residents. School fitness competitions, community gardens, walking trail signs, information dissemination, and school education and activity opportunities will provide increased access to physical activity and healthful food choices to children and other community members.  By raising awareness of, and increasing access to, healthful food choices and physical activity, we hope that a greater number of Phelps County residents will have improved health outcomes including achieving and/or maintaining a healthy weight. Yeah veggies!

PROVIDER PARTICIPATION

Hard Work

Childcare Providers put in very long days caring for our youngest children. After a long day of work the last thing I want to do is go back out and work some more but for some of the dedicated providers in our area the work never stops. The providers pictured above are completing the months-long Emotional Beginning's training. Not only did they come to nightly trainings they also participated in homework and on-site visits.  

Another group of providers attended a state-wide Child Development Fund Public Hearing that was held via web conference at MS&T this past week. Rolla had one of the biggest turn-outs of providers in the state. We were so happy that they attend the meeting and that they shared their concerns and frustrations of the inequity in rural childcare subsidies. These hardworking women deserve fair pay and recognition for the very important work they provide for our communities.

It looks like the rain is out of the forecast for the weekend - so I hope you get the opportunity to enjoy some sunshine! Have a great weekend and thank you again and again for your amazing support! 

Sincerely,