Summer Care Initiative: Innovative child care, financial education for parents Summer Care is a free, innovative, neighborhood based program that provides safe, enriching environments for school age children of low to moderate income parents. With their children in a nurturing environment, these parents can remain employed, work additional hours or further their education during the summer months. Free financial literacy classes are provided to the parents/guardians with opportunities to receive free ongoing financial case management upon class completion.   Since its inception in 2005, more than 2,600 children and their parents have participated in Summer Care.   In 2009, a $450,000 Summer Care investment funded 13 programs at 11 agencies in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties and supported 22 childcare sites, providing 479 children with full scholarships. The average cost to attend is $97.00 per week per child. The total saved by the families in childcare costs: $511,093.00. ......................................................................... “I have two little girls…8 and 6.  They are the loves of my life. “We recently received assistance from the United Way in the form of a scholarship that would assist in our tuition at Girls, Inc.  This was a true blessing as I have been picking from the “bill hat” to see who would get paid next…that is a very scary thought and one I have never been faced with in the past.  With this assistance, I was able to redirect my funds to pay other bills such as my car payment, the electricity and our water bill…AND, there was enough left over to take the girls to Chuck E. Cheese for an afternoon of noisy, kid friendly fun!” Melanie ......................................................................... “I would like to thank the United Way for the privilege of allowing my child to attend the Harbordale YMCA Summer Camp Program. Had it not been for the United Way scholarship my child would not have been able to attend this program.” “Again, it was truly appreciated especially during this difficult time financially for my family. The classes were also incredibly important and taught me a great deal about financial planning, budgeting, and investing.” Diana ......................................................................... “I would really like to thank the United Way for the opportunity they gave me and my kids this summer. I didn’t have anywhere to leave my kids this summer and finances were an issue. I am glad they gave me this opportunity and their greatness is not un-noticed. The United Way does so many good things for our kids and I feel very fortunate to be given an opportunity like this.” Carmen ......................................................................... “I would like to thank United Way for the tremendous help that was given to me this summer. My child would not have been able to participate in a camp program had I not been assisted by United Way. I am a single parent who has had a major financial set back this year; United Way has helped me set a financial goal to maintain. I would like to say this is a wonderful program. From a grateful parent,” Chandra ......................................................................... “When I went to sign my (two) sons up for the summer session at Happy Workers Children Center, I was told the cost would be $150.00 a week. That’s $600.00 in a 4-week month and $750.00 in a 5-week month. I had to work and needed child care. I shared with Ms. Mary in the office, I don’t know how I’m going to afford this because every penny is already accounted for, for food and living necessities. Due to me not getting any public assistance, I was already struggling. I stepped out on Faith and signed them up anyway. “One day I was going into the office to let the office know that I was getting paid the following day and to please give me time to pay my fees. I was told we are glad you came in today because one of the spots became available for the scholarship. I didn’t quite understand at first but when I heard you only have to pay for one of your children now, the emotions that overwhelmed me were indescribable. I tried to hide the tears  at first, but then my heart wouldn’t let me. I am so very thankful for the angels/sponsors that help fund this center. Because of these special anonymous people, my children, who have no idea of how hard mommy works just to maintain a semi-comfortable living environment, can enjoy their summer, and I am able to work in peace and know that my children are in good hands.” Tamika  ......................................................................... United Way’s 2009 Summer Care partners: A Brighter Community, Inc. is a nationally accredited early education center that provided a high quality summer program. The program provided low staff/child ratios, a structured curriculum, weekly filed trips and two meals and one snack daily. Additional activities are the arts, Tampa culture, safety, financial literacy, health, fitness, and nutrition and water safety. Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast provided a 10-week safe structured camp at 6 locations including Royal Theater; Northside Boys & Girls Club; Pinellas Park Boys &  Girls Club; Wellington Boys & Girls Club; Wood Valley Boys & Girls Club and Tarpon Springs Boys & Girls Club. The program was held from 7 am – 6 pm, Monday-Friday. The program centered on health, fitness, nutritional activities, leadership and character development; reading, career education and cultural/educational/active field trips. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay worked with low-income households at the West Tampa, Belmont Heights, West Plant City, Brandon, and North Tampa Units. The eleven week program offered youth development and summer learning activities designed to empower youth to become productive, responsible, caring citizens. Happy Workers Children’s Center Summer Peace Camp is targeted for the older siblings ages 5 to 1l, of current Happy Workers Children’s Center students and for children in the surrounding Midtown community. The program focused on the arts, cultural arts, diversity, literacy, peace and environmental education. Girl’s Inc. Operation SMART Summer Camp provided fulltime day camp at the Pinellas Park campus with a unique enrichment curriculum including breakfast, lunches/snacks, specialized tracks in Science, Math And Relevant Technology, creative arts, physical activities, field trips and specialty programs. Girls Inc provides gender specific activities that build self-confidence, encourage girls to explore their potential, and ignite imaginations for future career choices with wonder, awe, promise and potential.   Tampa Metro YMCA provided summer programming at the Central City and Northwest Hillsborough YMCA branches. Children and Youth participated in constructive activities throughout the summer. Youth attending the program participated in multiple planned daily age appropriate activities including water safety classes, swimming lessons, arts and crafts, community service projects and cultural activities. United Cerebral Palsy of Tampa Bay provided a quality summer care program from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with an inclusionary experience where children with disabilities learn and play side by side with their typically developing peers. The program utilized the Pinnacle Curriculum “A Summer of Wonder” augmented by modules and activities on cultures, health and nutrition, fitness, arts and crafts, financial literacy and safety. The YMCA of St. Petersburg, Harbordale YMCA Program was designed to increase academic skills as well as build character, responsibility, and resiliency while providing a safe place with structured activities during the summer. Activities included a nationally-recognized summer academic curriculum as well as art, physical fitness, nutrition, swimming, and field trips. YMCA of the Suncoast provided safe supervised programs that consume children’s discretionary time during the summer months with fun, active, and age-appropriate activities with a focus on health, nutrition and fitness games and programs (C.A.T.C.H.), creative and performing arts, sports, swimming, field trips, crafts and teamwork/group centered components. Emphasis is placed on character development ideals that provide additional support for maintaining a good value based along healthy lifestyle concepts. Youth will learn to work together, make choices, develop creative skills, build independence and self reliance and gain confidence.   Targeted Neighborhoods Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast and Life Force Cultural Arts Academy hosted Summer Rhythms at 2 locations in the North Greenwood Community. Campers  participated in programs centered on cultural activities (art, voice, Brazilian music and dance), leadership, sports, reading, career education, recreation and field trips interspersed with financial literacy, substance abuse prevention, skill development, and community based structured activities. Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay offered quality youth development and summer learning activities at Sulphur Springs. The program is designed to empower youth to become productive responsible, caring citizens. The Police Athletic League of Tampa worked in partnership with the Rich House to provide organized activities for youth from the Sulphur Springs neighborhood. The program provided crime prevention and athletic programs. PAL’s summer program was be Recreational, Athletics/Health, Educational and Safety Classes. St. Francis, a NAEYC accredited child care provider, provided high quality, full day-out-of-school-time summer programs to children from the Sulphur Springs neighborhood. The program used The Pinnacle curriculum “A Summer of Wonder” to teach children about the weather. This curriculum was complemented by modules on safety, etiquette, health, fitness, nutrition, and art and literacy activities. Financial Education Summer Care also provides financial education services to the parents through standardized programming that takes place at all the partner sites. Areas of curriculum are: Developing a Financial Plan (Developing Financial Goals, Tracking Expenses, Developing a Budget, Evaluating Net Worth );  Using Credit Wisely (Understanding Credit Terms, Evaluating Credit Options, Credit Scores, Establishing a Good Credit Record, Understanding and Managing Debt);  Saving & Building Financial Stability (Planning for Future Goals, Emergency Funds, Savings Options for Different Types of Goals, Banking Options) Last year, Summer Care underwent an evaluation performed by the University South Florida. The results affirmed the program. You can read an Evaluation Summary here.

USF Summer Care Evaluation Women's Leadership Paula Kay Manager 813-274-0936 pkay@uwtb.org