Children and Youth Poised for Success
As part of our new strategic plan, this was a new goal area for
LexLinc in 2006. The focus during the first year was to explore strategic partnerships and learn from these partners what specific goals LexLinc should pursue in this area. Listed below are the partnerships and programs in which LexLinc helped provide leadership.
Children and Youth Provider Cabinet.The first strategic planning session to initiate a Children and Youth Provider Cabinet occurred in September 2006. A wide range of neighborhood, educational, government, human service and community organizations participated in this and subsequent monthly meetings. With 15 key partners such as Partners for Youth, LexLinc is organizing and providing facilitation for this effort based on a community youth development model. In addition to developing its own strategic plan, the Youth Provider Cabinet worked closely with statewide initiatives to ensure that its focus and work aligns to support youth.
"Getting Ready for Kindergarten” Activity Calendars. In 2006, 15,000 developmental activity calendars were delivered to schools, childcare centers, libraries and agencies. In partnership with Fayette County Public Schools, LexLinc helped develop, sponsor and raise other funds for the calendars. In 2007, the partnership delivered 5,000 calendars.
Children’s Day at the Capitol. As a sponsor of this February event, LexLinc staff served on the planning committee and assists Kentucky Youth Advocates with preparations, including the annual advocacy training in November. Over 125 people attended from 37 counties. Children’s Day at Capitol had over 400 people in attendance.
One-Book-One Community. In partnership with the public library, LexLinc sponsored One-Book-One Community in April, 2007. Christopher Paul Curtis, author of “The Watsons Go to Birmingham,” spoke to parents and children about the importance of reading and writing, read from his works, answered audience questions and signed over 1,000 books during the reception.
Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program. In 2007, LexLinc assisted with organizing, distributing and collecting summer youth employment applications to youth and organizations in the community. Staff also assisted with orientation for youth and employers and on matching youth for job interviews.
Brunch with Santa. With the purpose of raising awareness about the need for foster parents and supporting new foster parents and children at Christmas, in 2006, LexLinc raised over $4,500 in sponsorships for this event for foster children, which was attended by over 300 people. Foster parents and children attended free. As the fiscal agent, LexLinc also assisted with marketing and event preparation. Proceeds provide Christmas presents for foster children. In 2007, LexLinc continued to serve as the fiscal agent.
LexLinc staff also assisted the
- Child Care Council to restructure its bylaws and strategic plan and
- Kentucky Child Now, through participation in two committees to create and implement the Kentucky Youth Development Council within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to better connect state agency services.