United Way Welcomes Geoffrey Canada
“One of America’s 25 Best Leaders” to Address
Working Together to Close the Achievement Gap

BRIDGEPORT, CT - (October 26, 2005) On Thursday, October 27, 2005, United Ways across Connecticut will welcome renowned author and child advocate Geoffrey Canada, who in the October 31 US News & World Report was proclaimed one of America’s 25 Best Leaders and was profiled in the article, “Thriving in the Zone.” In his sold-out presentation, “Working Together to Close the Achievement Gap,” to be held at the Bridgeport Holiday Inn, Mr. Canada, President & CEO of The Harlem Children’s Zone, will address the tie between economic disparities and school readiness and will detail how this “preparation gap” can lead to an “achievement gap” throughout a child’s school career and later life. Mr. Canada is the author of two books, Fist Stick Knife Gun: A Personal History of Violence in America and Reaching Up for Manhood.

The luncheon is the first in United Way’s statewide Community Impact series of outreach and education events focused on children. Mr. Canada’s mission to help at-risk children secure educational and economic opportunities parallels United Way’s efforts to help children succeed. Across Connecticut, United Way initiatives aim to help all children grow to be healthy, successful adults through a holistic approach that engages the entire family and the community. Recently, United Way partnered with the Ad Council to introduce “Born Learning,” a public awareness and education campaign that targets the development of children from birth to six years old.

Mr. Canada founded The Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ) in 1997 because he wanted an alternative way to help children succeed. Mr. Canada realized that in order to truly improve the opportunities for success for all children, he would need to create systems change. He wanted to prove that all children can succeed. Mr. Canada started the HCZ with a mission to create significant, positive opportunities for all children living in a 60-block area of Harlem by helping parents, residents, teachers and other stakeholders create a safer learning environment for youth. Among the goals of the HCZ are supporting families in caring for their children, improving academic outcomes for children, supporting positive youth development and increasing resident leadership and involvement in the community. The Harlem Children’s Zone works with children from birth through college and combines a variety of community resources in order to care for the whole child.

Why are Connecticut United Ways so focused on improving early education and closing the achievement gap? According to the 40-year High/Scope Perry Preschool research study, investing $1 in a child's success early on saves $17 down the road, due to reduced crime, increased earnings and higher education levels. And, in his book Early Childhood Development: Economic Development with a High Public Return, Senior Vice President and Director of Research of the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank Arthur J. Rolnick cites studies supporting a 16% annual rate of return on every dollar spent on early care and education. Rolnick feels that quality early childhood education should be on the top of any economic development plan because, "investment in human capital breeds not only economic success for those being educated but also for the overall economy."

Community research conducted by the local United Ways in the greater Bridgeport and New Haven communities confirms Rolnick’s assertions. Because quality early care and education for children is such a strong indicator of academic success and lifetime earning potential, both United Ways have active Success by 6® and BornLearning initiatives. This is particularly important when you consider that one in three New Haven children and one in four Bridgeport children live in a family whose annual income falls below the Federal Poverty Level.

“Poverty wreaks havoc on children’s lives,” stated Merle Berke-Schlessel, Esq., president and CEO of United Way of Eastern Fairfield County. “Our responsibility, as a community impact organization, is to focus on addressing the underlying causes of community issues - why problems exist. In today’s United Way, programs are not just “stop gap” measures but ultimately preventative ones that create real and lasting change.”

United Way is able to bring the Geoffrey Canada luncheon to the community through the generosity of sponsors including the Connecticut Network of Community Foundations, CT Parents Plus, the Connecticut State Department of Education, and Area Cooperative Educational Services (New Haven). Additionally, this event received funding assistance through a grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services. The views presented in this event are the sole responsibility of the event planning committee and do not represent the official views of the US government.

United Way of Eastern Fairfield County is in the business of building a stronger, more caring community across the greater Bridgeport region including Easton, Fairfield, Stratford, Monroe, Trumbull and Bridgeport. Our focus is on what matters. Research and experience tell us that the best way to help the most people is to focus on the root causes of the most serious problems. It takes the whole community – working together – to make that happen. United Way links people together from all across the community – government, business, faith groups, nonprofits and ordinary citizens - to tackle the issues that matter most. United Way is committed to achieving bottom line results: the lives we change and the communities we shape. Find out more at www.thewaytocare.org.