Links Gateway Chapter Gives SIUE Head Start Sweet Appreciation
Wrapped in gratitude and filled with holiday cheer, members of the Services to Youth Committee of The Gateway Chapter of the Links, Inc., gave away holiday cookie trays and award certificates to each of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) centers.
“Links members wanted to express their gratefulness to the SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start staff for all their hard work and continuous service to our children and families throughout the pandemic,” said Lisa Tate, assistant program director/center operations.
The seven HS/EHS centers received an assortment of holiday cookies when Links representatives visited on Friday, Dec. 10.
“We have moved from remote and virtual services to opening centers and classrooms for in-person services,” said Tate. “The Head Start/Early Head Start staff have worked together to provide a safe and clean environment for children. We provided extra social-emotional support for children and families in need and offered several social services giveaways to families in need.”
“The cookies made our day sweeter and the thoughtfulness was incredibly appreciated,” said Heidi Eichenseer-Yeast, Discovery Center HS/EHS center coordinator.
Links representatives included Shirley Brown, chair; Vicki Edwards, co-chair; Patricia Wharton, Links alumna and SIUE HS/EHS Governance Board member; Peggy LeCompte, Sharonica Hardin Bartley, Patricia Bosman, Rose Coleman, Sharon Harvey Davis and Judith Griffin.
The donation marks the fourth year that the Links’ Services to Youth Committee has partnered with HS/EHS.
The SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start Program serves more than 860 families and children birth through age five, including children with special needs, throughout St. Clair County. The program also provides services to expectant mothers. The program is housed in 12 early childhood centers, seven managed directly by SIUE staff and five collaborations. The program includes a rigorous school readiness program and provides comprehensive services, such as health/ dental screenings and family engagement and support activities.
Photos:
(L-R): Links representative Pat Wharton presented Florence Chears-Lawrence, coordinator at Cahokia HS/EHS center, with cookies and an award certificate.
