Drake
University Head Start recently received a $1,000 literacy grant from
Target for the Ankeny Head Start Center in Ankeny, Iowa. The grant will
help provide children and families at the center with books, magazines
and other materials that will enhance literacy activities in their
homes.
“One quarter of Head Start’s annual budget must come
from individual donations and grants,” said Georgia Sheriff, director
of Drake Head Start. “We are extremely grateful to Target for its
generous financial support of our efforts.”
This grant is part of Target’s efforts to strengthen
families and communities throughout the country. Since opening its
doors, Target has given 5 percent of its income to organizations that
support education, the arts, social services and volunteerism. Today
that translates to more than $3 million every week.
“At Target, our local grants are making a difference in
the communities we serve,” said Laysha Ward, vice president of
community relations at Target. “We’re proud to partner with Drake Head
Start as part of our ongoing commitment to give back to the communities
where our guests and team members live and work.”
In addition, Target contributes to programs that are designed to inspire learning in children and families including:
- Take Charge of Education, a school fundraising program;
- Target Field Trip Grants, a grant program that helps educators bring learning to life for students;
- Ready.Sit.Read!, a program dedicated to fostering a lifelong love of reading in children at an early age;
- Target
House, a place that serves as a home for families of children receiving
life-saving treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in
Memphis; - Target Volunteers, a program in which Target team
members and retirees annually donate more than 350,000 hours of time to
more than 7,500 community-based projects
Drake University Head Start and Early Head Start are comprehensive
child development programs which serve children from birth to age five
and their families. The programs are child-focused and have the overall
goal of increasing the school readiness of young children in low-income
families.
Both programs provide a range of individualized services
in the areas of education, medical, dental and mental health, nutrition
and social service to children and their families. Parent involvement
is encouraged and support is offered for children with disabilities.
Ten percent of the programs’ total enrollment opportunities are made
available to children with disabilities.