Strategic Roadmap

Scarlett was born with a condition that resulted in her being in and out of the hospital often as a baby. While in the hospital, a friend gave us our first BUZZ Box, and it helped save our sanity on some of those long in-patient days as Scarlett has loved to read and do crafts ever since she was a toddler. Eventually, we got to come to our first Buzzword event. Scarlett was a bit hesitant at first, but you all made her feel so welcome and calm, and she was able to participate in a way that I have rarely seen before. I appreciate your team and everything that you have done for us!

The Child Development Associate (CDA) grant from Trying Together has been such a blessing for our high school students giving them an opportunity to jump start their work and college careers. From organizing different speakers and activities to preparing the students for their observations and tests, the team at Trying Together has been wonderful, providing help and knowledge every step of the way. We hope we get the chance to continue this collaboration in the future.

I work for the McKees Rocks Community Development Corporation, so I end up at most community events. Time and again, I encounter Trying Together working to get our community children registered for Kindergarten. They are doing a great job on this initiative to encourage the enrollment, and the difference is visible. Trying Together is getting the word out and our children enrolled to start school!

Early childhood educators have important things to say, important things that others should know. I shared my story for Day in the Life, a project that put stories on a map to highlight these voices and to create awareness. Because of my involvement in the project, I decided to join other early childhood educators to attend the press conference in Harrisburg and speak with our state senator. Because of this project, I learned that to see any larger gains, we must keep the conversation going as a collective group and that I want to be a part of that larger conversation. I am grateful for the work Trying Together is doing and the opportunity afforded me through participation in this project.

In 2024, my husband and I became foster parents to four of our grandchildren. As a retired school teacher, I feel strongly that children should attend pre-k, but paying for for three children is quite costly. When I was notified about applying for the EITC Pre-k Scholarship program, I jumped at the chance. I am so happy that our one of our grandsons was a recipient! Our 'littles' are thriving at pre-k, and the program they are in is excellent. They come home daily and talk about all the things they have learned like, “how rainbows are made,” “rhyming words,” and “identifying letters” to name a few. Thanks to Trying Together and their sponsors for making this happen!